Landscape Structure and Breeding Site Conditions Shape the Urban Distribution of the Two Frog Species, Dryophytes japonica and Rhacophorus schlegelii

ABSTRACT Urbanization poses significant threats to amphibians through habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation of breeding sites. This study investigated the distribution of two frog species, Dryophytes japonica and Rhacophorus schlegelii , which have relatively similar ecological traits in paddy fields in high‐populated, i.e., heavily urbanized areas of Tokyo and Kanagawa, Japan, focusing on landscape‐ and microhabitat factors simultaneously. Calling surveys were conducted at approximately 100 sites over 2 years (2022–2023) during the breeding season to identify key environmental variables influencing species occurrence. As a landscape factor, both species were positively associated with surrounding forest, suggesting the importance of landscape connectivity between forest as habitats and paddy fields as breeding sites. As a microhabitat factor, water retention in the paddies was a significant factor for both species. Notably, R. schlegelii depended on microhabitat features, in specific soil channels, whereas D. japonica did not. These findings suggest that while both species benefit from nearby forests in urbanized areas, only R. schlegelii is vulnerable to concreting that disrupts soil channels as breeding sites. The study underscores the need for conservation strategies that address both landscape‐ and microhabitat requirements to support amphibians in urbanizing agricultural regions. Importantly, species with similar ecological niches may respond differently to urban stressors, requiring species‐specific management strategies.