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EXCAVATION OF 50 NEW PONDS COMPLETED IN LJUBLJANSKO BARJE

EXCAVATION OF 50 NEW PONDS COMPLETED IN LJUBLJANSKO BARJE

In recent days, we have completed the excavation of the last of the 50 amphibian ponds planned in Ljubljansko barje. They are now waiting for amphibians to come out of hibernation and head to their breeding grounds.  

As ecological requirements of different amphibian species vary, we have excavated 5 different types of ponds. In Ljubljansko barje, a layer of clay (the sediment of a prehistoric lake, made up of snail and mussel shells) is found in the soil horizon. As this layer holds water,  no additional impermeable layers are installed. Some of the ponds have already been filled with water during excavation, while others will be filled by rainwater.

The larger and deeper ponds are expected to meet the requirements of the Italian crested newt, while the small ponds are likely to be used by the Yellow-bellied toad. In addition to the project target species, other amphibian species will also use the ponds as breeding sites, as well as a number of other, particularly invertebrate species. It is very important to keep fish out of the ponds, as they feed on amphibian larvae, their eggs, and the vegetation to which they are attached. 

The ponds will be monitored as part of the Monitoring the success of project actions (D.1), which will start later this year. In the first phase, we will check for the presence of brown frogs, which will be among the first to arrive at the sites.

Photo: K. Drašler, G. Lipovšek