Sparked by the successful EPMAC monitoring events in 2011, 2012 and 2013 in south-west Spain, in 2013 a similar monitoring program with volunteers was initiated in north-east Poland. This monitoring, in combination with results of amphibian monitoring around the year 2000 will form the basis for the evaluation of the status of amphibians in north-eastern Poland. During the early years it will be in development and additional sampling rounds will be organised earlier in the season as well. In comparison to the monitoring in Spain, in north-eastern Poland the sampling is less intensive, which gives more time and space to observe amphibians in their habitat.
The basis objectives of the monitoring in north-east Poland are:
•To increase knowledge and experience on the recognition of amphibians and their habitats of the European lowland in all life stages
•Collect comparable data for long term evaluation of the status and dynamics of amphibians and their habitats
• Evaluate the status of rare amphibians in distinctive ecosystems in north-eastern Poland (Bialowieza forest area, Narew upper river valley, agricultural area)
•Define and prioritise actions for amphibian conservation in the region.

Annually one sampling round is executed in over 100 preselected locations of which the importance to amphibians was known from previous surveys (1999-2000). In the first year (2013) it was confirmed that the method allowed the detection of populations from all 12 amphibian species throughout the territory. 4 regions are included in each of which over 30 sites were investigated (see further). Each group has an (herpetological) expert, a local naturalist and other participants and is equipped with all field materials (dip-nets, wading suits, photo-aquaria, tubes, boxes, etc.). The day sampling is focused on the aquatic habitats from threatened amphibians in the area: ponds with vegetation, natural depressions, beaver floodings, flood zones, sand excavations, andpeat excavations. In the first year only one sampling round was executed during the breeding season with larvae in the water (June). The method is still in development and an additional survey round will be added in May to detect calling males and other adults in the waters. The June sampling consists of day surveys for larvae and juveniles especially. A visual survey is made to detect eggs, adults and certain larvae species. Sweeps are made systematically with 5 catches in the shallow and 5 catches in the deeper water area to collect comparable data on breeding success. Importantly a picture is made of the habitat and of each species at each life stage. These pictures allow the evaluation of the data on the sheets. The data is collected on sheets and digitally, and validated by professionals on basis of the pictures. During the monitoring week in June, every evening a valuable area is visited to observe adults of all the species from the region. These evening surveys are especially important to get in close contact with adults. Participants can observe and take photos. The monitoring consists of practical collection of data in the field and educative presentation on methodology and on the recognition the species in the various life stages.

The Bialowieza forest area consists of the primeval forest of Bialowieza. The strict reserve and areas of the surrounding forest are well known for their old age, natural structures and forest dynamics. In the large forest complex of over 25 square kilometres there are several glades with more open habitats. These used to be open agricultural areas around houses, hamlets and villages, but in the last decade’s much of the agricultural activities have ceased. The farmer and foresting community is gradually changing and tourism is becoming more important on shaping the landscape. The smaller glades, further from the strict reserve, have a more farming and forestry community. The amphibian community in the Bialowieza forest and glades used to have 12 species. In the forest, with natural streams, floodings and wet forest depressions, the more common amphibian species (Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis and Bufo bufo) dominated in the nineties. The open areas had populations of all the more rare species, though Bufo calamita and Bombina bombina had recently gone extinct. Already, in the late nineties several waters were improved for rare amphibians, and in the past decade over ten ponds have been dug for rare amphibians. These conservation actions have continued and last winter over ten new ponds were dug in Bialowieza glade for amphibians (Lars Briggs).

West of the primeval forest and protected forests of Bialowieza, there is a fast agricultural landscape that has been used for agriculture for thousands of years. The landscape is rolling and has sandy soils with moraine clay layers near the surface. Scattered there are villages, hamlets and isolated farms. The land use is diverse with a large part of the population working with agriculture, including dairy farming and related grasslands, meadows, wheat and potato production and scattered forest complexes. The small stream valleys that contribute to the Narew river in the north and to the river to the south have been transferred to more canal shaped streams in the course of the last century. In the forest complexes and meadows, head waters still appear in forests and sedge swamps. In the nineties the entire amphibian community had large meta-populations in the landscape using the whole spectrum of (temporary) available waters as well much of the terrestrial surroundings within kilometres from the semi-aquatic sites. Smaller and larger sand excavations for multi-purpose uses were among the more valuable habitats. Fields with inundations and temporary ditches were used by most species of open habitats, such as Bufo calamita, Bufo viridis and Pelobates fuscus. While Triturus cristatus was a relatively rare species, occurring mainly in and near forests. Bombina bombina and Hyla arborea were both common in the warmer and clean waters. It was expected that we would observe a strong intensification of the land use in this area and related that with a strong decline of the more delicate amphibian species of conservation concern. No amphibian conservation actions had been undertaken in the previous decades.

The surrounding of the Upper Narew River valley was not protected in the nineties. Most of the head waters in this part of the Narew lowland river come from forested surroundings. Though a large artificial lake (Siemianowka) was made creating a lake with a flood zone with water deriving from (agricultural?) areas from the neighbouring Belorussia. The surrounding of the lake and valley north of the Bialowieza forest has changed only gradually. The open areas had small hamlets in which most people lived from the surrounding land (cattle and agriculture) in the nineties. The close vicinity of the large forest complex influences wild life on the landscape (wild boars, deer, elks, etc). In the nineties the area had large populations of all amphibian species, although Bufo viridis was recorded in only a few locations. It was expected most of the land use would have extensified and that succession would have caused the decrease of open sun exposed lands. Several amphibian conservation actions were undertaken (Lars Briggs) and ponds were dug in the past decade.

More west of the forest area, in and surrounding the Upper River valley, the valley is surrounded by smaller forest complexes and larger agricultural areas. The wide valley, with a relatively natural flowing river and floodings in this part would have been used entirely in relation with cattle. Larger areas of the valley showed a change in use during the nineties and the mowing and grazing clearly were reduced (less cows, horses, sheep and goats). Along the edge of the valley the villages mainly lived from dairy farming activities, but all inhabitants also grew much of their own food and wood. An extensification of the valley (overgrowing by reeds and bushes) and intensification of the surrounding agricultural areas was expected. No amphibian conservation actions were undertaken.

146, 181 and 105 sites were systematically dip-netted or inspected in 2013, 2014 and 2015respectively, including newly dug amphibian habitats. All 12 species that were previously known from the area were observed. Although the method focused on the larvae and juveniles, all species were also observed in their adult life stage. The preselection and earlier surveys had focused on the populations of amphibians of highest the conservationconcern in Europe (8 target species): Triturus cristatus, Pelobates fuscus, Bombina bombina, Bufo/Epidalea calamita, Bufo/Pseudepidalea viridis/variabilis, Hyla arborea, Rana arvalis and Rana lessone. The eight species of the conservation concern inhabit relatively nutrient poor and less permanent waters, while the less threatened European lowland species survive especially well in eutrofic and more permanent waters. In north-eastern Poland the nutrient poor habitats prevail in stagnant waters outside the influence of rivers and streams. Most species were commonly recorded (figure 1 and figure 2). Figure 2 illustrates how common Pelobates fuscus is in the landscape (2013), but four times less populations were detected in the dry year 2015. Less recorded were Bufo/P. viridis/variabilis and Bufo/E. calamita. Both species could go unobserved by the established method that had focused on previously known breeding sites. In function of the availability of the water and the pioneer stage of the habitats, they use one site or another for breeding. Additional earlier spring surveys in 2014 gave similar low results though. The results indicate that where Bombina bombina has smaller populations, they are difficult to detect in years with few water (see presentation EPMAC EUROPE).

During the nineties Amphi Consult coordinated amphibian surveys in the region. Over 2500 waters were surveyed and research was made on the amphibian community in Podlasie by Amphi Consult, students from Larenstein (NL) and Van Hall (NL), many enthusiastic volunteers and nature organizations. In that time the amphibian community was still complete and large metapopulations used the whole spectrum of diverse water types in the region (a.o. De Vries, 1998; AmphiConsult, 2002; Janse en de Vries, 1999a and b). Still, already in the nineties, a decline and local extinction of some of the more rare species were registered and fast areas in river valleys became gradually less used. After nearly 15 years with ongoing changes, it was expected that the amphibian community had undergone important changes. To evaluate the development in the amphibian community on a regional scale, a selection of sites were made in various protected and unprotected landscapes. The survey in 2013 gives the first indication on the development of the amphibian community. Longer monitoring will be required to define conservation status and direct future management and research. Figure 3 illustrates for Bombina bombina the distribution in Narew valley in 2013 and in 1999. Even though commonly recorded in both years, the first results indicate a decline of the species. In table 1 an overview of the status in the Narew valley is included for six of the target species. Actually, the first results indicate that the populations of Triturus cristatus and Hyla arborea seem stable, but the others have declined.

 

Species Status indication 1999 : 2013

{ First indication on the status of the populations of target amphibians of conservation concern by comparison of number of populations (incl. new colonisations and extinctions) in Upper Narew River Valley between Narew and Suraz villages (1999 versus 2013).}

Triturus cristatus – Stable
Bombina bombina – Decline
Pelobates fuscus – Stable
Bufo/Epidalea calamita – Decline?
Bufo/Pseudepidalea viridis/variabilis – Decline?
Hyla arborea – Decline

Other less conspicuous problems that affect the amphibian populations in the entire territory of the natural park were also detected: In 2012 the quitrid fungi (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) was recorded for the first time in Sierra Norte de Sevilla. A sample of a dead Rana perezi was collected during the monitoring and was analysed positively by the laboratory of the National Museum of Natural Sciences CSIC in Madrid. This “fungi” is held responsible for the disappearance of over 200 amphibian species in the world in the past few decades. Even though no massive mortality has been recorded in Sierra Norte, the amphibian populations are most surely affected negatively. In Eastern Andalusia mass mortalities have been recorded in Alytes dickhellenii. The monitoring is an important event with education around such problems. Since 2011 participants of the monitoring and materials are disinfected on their arrival to avoid the introduction of such species. A similar fungi (B. salamandrivorans, B2) seems to have caused near entire extinction of the Fire salamandra (Salamandra salamandra) in the Netherlands between 2008 and 2013, which demonstrates the importance to be aware of new problems and have a monitoring system that can detect them.

The monitoring in 2013 was a first try out and in 2014 some adjustments were made. The local organizations and guides involved are eager to continue the monitoring in the coming years. Importantly, the first suggestions for management were given to herpetologists that are executing nature conservation projects. The monitoring has stressed the importance to make more detailed surveys and develop conservation actions for B./E. calamita and B./P. viridis/variabilis.

12 species of amphibians have large populations in the monitoring area in north-eastern Poland. The area includes the Biosphere Reserve and National Park Bialowieza and the protected landscape park of Narew Upper River Valley. With exception of Bufo viridis all species are common and abundant. Each species lives in distinct aquatic and terrestrial habitat. On this page pictures of the 12 species are included.

Trituturs cristatus
Lissotriton/Triturus vulgaris
Bombina bombina
Pelobates fuscus
Bufo/Epidalea calamita
Bufo bufo
Bufo/Speudepidalea viridis
Hyla arborea
Rana temporaria
Rana arvalis
Rana/Pelophylax lessonae
Rana/Pelophylax esculenta
Rana/Pelophylax ridibunda/ridibundus (not in monitoring area)