Artificial wetlands as a solution to the decline in the frog population: Estimation of their suitability through the study of population dynamics of Sahara Frogs in hill lakes

•Dynamics of the Sahara Frog (Pelophylax saharicus) in four Tunisian hill lakes.•Mark-release-recapture of tadpoles, froglets and adults over two years.•Small lakes provide for stable populations with conservation of pond-spawning species.•Artificial wetlands may offset the loss of natural habitats playing a role in amphibian conservation.