Conservation: Explosion in frog numbers after mass pond digging

Image source, Christoph Vorburger

According to research, Switzerland has reversed the decline of more than half of the frog, toad, and newt species.

The number of salamanders increased after hundreds of new ponds were dug.

Scientists say the European tree frog populationexploded.

Pond building is simple and effective, and scientists hope this method can be used around the world.

Amphibian populations are in decline due to a number of factors.

Aargau made a decision in 1999 to fight the loss of amphibians. The collapse of the European tree frog was concerning.

State authorities, non-profit organizations, private landowners and hundreds of volunteers worked for 20 years to build over 400 ponds in Aargau.

Lack of space, a high number of predators, and dense vegetation made older ponds unsuitable for some animals.

New ponds were created to give the species more room to grow.

More than half of the eight species increased their regional population.

The lead author of the study said she was excited to see a clear increase in the number of people.

If you give them the space, they will use it.

The European tree frog increased in size.

The frog likes to jump from shrubs to trees and is one of the most mobile species.

It prefers shallow ponds created by meandering rivers on the floodplain.

Many places in Switzerland have lost this type of habitat.

The UK and Switzerland both have high population densities with large road and railway networks.

Habitat loss is one of the main problems and just by addressing that we could see the difference it made and begin the recovery of these species.

The population of the European tree frog doubled in one area over the course of two decades. The species was only found at 16 sites in Reusstal in 1999.

A study shows how successful habitat creation can be.

It pays to do something even if you feel overwhelmed, according to Dr Moor.

The ponds will be monitored to make sure the species thrives.

Some ponds need to be drained and cleared of vegetation in order to rid them of predatory fish.

Dr Moor hopes that this success will lead to the creation of ponds and habitats for other people.