Amphibians & Reptiles
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Increase abundance and diversity in restored ponds
Data collection in progress
Iron Curtain to Green Belt
Bulgaria
Problem: Across the landscape, adverse effects of increasing intensive agriculture are being seen, leading to habitat fragmentation and the loss of the unique mosaic of natural habitats and species. Ponds and wetlands are a key part of this habitat mosaic for a range of taxa but particularly amphibians and reptiles.
Action: Existing ponds will be restored and new ponds will be created across the landscape, to improve connectivity of freshwater habitats and increase biodiversity in this generally arid landscape.
Indicator: This indicator will measure the presence and abundance of several key species of amphibians and reptiles at ponds that are being restored or created. Including a range of species will provide more informative results about the changes in habitat quality and functional connectivity as a result of habitat improvements.
Southern crested newt (Triturus karelinii). Photo: Georgi Popgeorgiev
Grass snake (Natrix natrix). Photo: Georgi Popgeorgiev
Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus). Photo: Georgi Popgeorgiev
European pond tutle (Emys orbicularis). Photo: Georgi Popgeorgiev
Methods
Amphibian and reptile surveys will take place at a minimum of 10 sample plots, before and after restoration actions are undertaken and also at control sites with no restoration work planned (a BACI design). Additional surveys will take place at existing high-quality biodiverse ponds to understand the status of target (undegraded) habitats, as a reference. The first survey is planned for 2024, and surveys will then be done annually after that, always in April and May.
Direct observations and live trapping will be used to survey amphibians and reptiles. Direct observations will involve counting all individuals seen or heard, plus any records of eggs or larvae, in a sample plot of up to 500 m2 for the largest ponds. Traps will be used in all ponds deeper than 30 cm, according to the National Biodiversity Monitoring Scheme. Traps are placed underwater, at a depth < 1 m, separated by 0.5 – 1.5 m distance. Traps are set in the evening and collected the following morning. Relative abundance is calculated as the number of animals caught per hour of trap exposure.
The target indicator species are: Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus ivanbureschi, Pelophilax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina, Bufo bufo, Emys orbicularis, Mauremys rivulata and Natrix natrix. The exact coordinates of each observed specimen/trap position will be recorded using the SmartBirds Pro mobile app, which will allow further detailed spatial analyses and estimation of population number and density. Surveys will be conducted annually to track the abundance of these target taxa over time.
Results
This page will be updated once the baseline data has been collected and analysed.
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