A site supporting a high density of L. fallax juveniles prior to some major ash falls appears to have been inundated subsequently with ash-laden runoff, and we observed dead and dying juveniles in the shallow rock pools. A later visit to the same site revealed that many of the pools had become filled with a grey mud and neither juveniles nor adults were seen. It is unlikely that either volcanic or hurricane activity will lead to the extirpation of populations of frogs on Montserrat. However, a careful monitoring program will be initiated with government help. The economic importance of L. fallax , locally known as 'mountain chicken', lies with its reputation as a local delicacy.
Hotels serve the frogs' legs to tourists.
The governments of Dominica and Montserrat, where the remaining populations of L. fallax occur, have initiated hunting seasons to protect the breeding stock from depletion, and based on the recent surveys, in conjunction with the Montserrat Biodiversity Project, the government of Montserrat intends to ban hunting above 1000 feet altitude. Eleutherodactylus johnstonei is presumed to overcome any disturbances very easily because of its excellent colonizing abilities.