30 May 2011

Young European tree frog leaves AMPHIKULT spawning ground

Sooner than expected, the first amphibians have appeared at the newly constructed ponds.

As one of the objectives of the AMPHIKULT project, three new water bodies were created in the Marler Fladder project area in the Diepholz district last autumn. The settlement of amphibians at the ponds had not been expected for this year. Indeed, the water bodies are still absolutely bare; vegetation in the water and along the banks will develop only gradually. Hence, project manager Dr. Markus Richter’s astonishment to discover dozens of small European tree frogs at the banks of two of the water bodies last weekend was all the greater. Moreover, several hundred common toad tadpoles could also be seen swimming in one of the ponds. Both species usually populate bigger and deeper bodies of water exhibiting vegetation under water and along the banks - their spawning into new ponds bare of vegetation is rather exceptional. While the European tree frog and the common toad are not among the project's target species, their settlement in the project area can nonetheless be regarded as a success. The population of the European tree frog, in particular, had decreased substantially in the Marler Fladder as well as in numerous other areas. Although this frog can be found at many sites, extensive spawning grounds with several hundred clusters of eggs have all but disappeared. The main reason for this decline is the advancing loss of acceptable spawning grounds. New water bodies are thus well accepted.

Scoop with newly transformed European tree frog.