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Widespread
amphibian survey protocols |
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NARRS
wants to be able to measure the changes in the 'conservation status'
of amphibians. Our rarest amphibians - the natterjack toad and newly
reintroduced pool frog - are already subject to co-ordinated monitoring
programmes. The remaining species - great crested, smooth and palmate
newts, common frogs and common toads - are more widely distributed
and will require the involvement of many surveyors to gather sufficient
data to allow national population trends to be evaluated. |
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Breeding
ponds provide convenient and meaningful sampling sites for amphibians,
so NARRS has been developing survey protocols for this habitat. To
do this NARRS engaged in a wide consultation process, talking to professional
surveyors, academics and volunteers, inviting suggestions for procedures
to follow and key data to collect during amphibian pond surveys. |
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There
is a considerable amount of pond survey experience collectively held
by professional and volunteer surveyors - and many surveyors have
already developed their own survey protocols. Synthesising existing
practices into a single protocol, which will meet the needs of NARRS
(allowing changes in conservation status to be measured) is a challenge.
However, survey forms (for a single pond visit, or for up to three
visits) and explanatory notes were produced earlier this year, and
made available for field trials. |
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| The protocols developed aimed to collect data concerning: | ||
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The surveyor, pond location and ownership | ||
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Data on the amphibians themselves | ||
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Data pertinent to variables that might affect the ease of detection of amphibians | ||
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Information about the pond habitat | ||
Variables
that may affect the ease of detection of amphibians may be important,
as the issue of detectability is a rapidly developing area of ecological
research that has questioned the validity of surveys that do not take
this area into account. |
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Information
about the pond habitat is necessary, as 'conservation status' is a
measure not only of numbers of individuals/populations, but is also
concerned with habitat quality. A habitat suitability index developed
for the great crested newt (Oldham et al., 2000) was included in the
survey form to gather such information. A version of this index has
been used successfully by volunteers in Kent during great crested
newt surveys co-ordinated by Kent
Reptile and Amphibian Group. Although this index was developed
for the great crested newt (a European Protected Species, and hence
a key interest to NARRS), it is anticipated that the index may also
provide information of relevance to the other species. |
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The
survey forms one
visit and three
visits, and supporting notes trialled this spring are available for inspection. The survey
forms will be subject to modification, based on feedback from field
trials and ongoing research and statistical advice. |
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NARRS
is grateful to many people who have provided input to the development
of the survey forms and protocol, and especially to Warwickshire Amphibian
and Reptile Team for trialling the forms in the field. |
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Oldham
R.S., Keeble J, Swan M.J.S. & Jeffcote M. (2000) Evaluating
the suitability of habitat for the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus).
Herpetological Journal 10(4), 143-155. |
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