Conservation: Explosion in frog numbers after mass pond digging

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 11:43:10 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63206140

"Switzerland has reversed the decline of more than half of endangered frogs,
toads and newts in one region, research finds.


After conservationists dug hundreds of new ponds in the canton of Aargau,
amphibian numbers significantly increased.

The European tree frog population in particular 'exploded', scientists say.

Scientists hope this method could be used globally as pond building is simple
and effective.

Globally amphibian populations are in significant decline due to factors
including habitat loss, urbanisation, road infrastructure, disease and invasive
species.

In 1999 Aargau decided that a mass conservation effort was needed to combat the
loss of amphibians. The collapse of the European tree frog was of particular
concern.

State authorities, non-profit organizations, private landowners and hundreds of
volunteers worked for 20 years to build 422 ponds in five regions in Aargau.

Older ponds had become unsuitable for some amphibians due to lack of space, a
high number of predators, and dense vegetation.

By creating new ponds, the conservationists gave the species more space to
thrive.

Of the eight endangered species, 52% increased their regional populations and
32% were stabilised."

Via Future Crunch Oct 28, 2022:
<https://futurecrunch.com/good-news-clean-water-rewilding-spain-tipping-points-clean-energy/>

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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