November 30, 2022
Kaidi Tingas
Numbers of amphibian species are on the rise in restored small bodies of water
In 2 years (2021–2022) we have restored 29 small bodies of water in Lääne-Viru County, 4 in Harju County and 4 in Läänemaa, and this summer's inventory of small bodies of water showed that the number of amphibian species in them is on the rise! ‘Species diversity has increased,’ says Amphibian Researcher Riinu Rannap, who is leading the restoration of the small bodies of water, ‘The target species of the project – the common spadefoot toad and the great crested newt – have found the restored bodies of water, and the great crested newt, for example, has returned to all the restored areas, even though it was previously not even found in the Mädapea oak forest.’
Two videos were made in the course of the restoration work. In one of them, Riinu gives an overview of the project's activities and talks about the importance of amphibians in the ecosystem, while in the other, we give practical advice on how to create bodies of water that attract amphibians! They also give advice to those who, for example, are redesigning their sauna pond at home with the well-being of amphibians (as well enemies of as garden pests) in mind.
Next year, up to 25 small bodies of water will be restored in Alatskivi, Ropka-Ihaste and Otepää. Negotiations with landowners are underway. In total, we will restore 100 small bodies of water suitable for amphibians.
