Investigations into the occurrence of amphibians in the Leipzig area.
Amphibian monitoring focussing on the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) at the Rohrbach ponds
The great crested newt is a strictly protected species under the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), whose populations are severely threatened by habitat modification and destruction, among other things. The Rohrbacher Teiche nature reserve in the south-east of Leipzig was originally an important habitat for this species, but the population there is also in steep decline.
As part of a multi-year research study, the remaining population size of the great crested newt and the occurrence of the other amphibian species are to be investigated.
To this end, the population size of the great crested newts in the various remaining waterbodies will be estimated using capture-recapture methods. In addition, the biometric data of the captured individuals will be recorded in order to obtain an estimate of the fitness of the animals. The ‘Habitat Suitability Index’ (HSI) developed for great crested newts will also be used to assess the habitat of the individual spawning waters.
Based on the results obtained, concepts for conservation measures to stabilise and support the great crested newt population will then be developed.
