NEW PONDS FOR THE MOOR FROGS SOON TO BE CREATED IN LJUBLJANSKO BARJE

The main activities of the LIFE AMPHICON project focus on restoring habitats for amphibians. In recent years, over 130 new ponds have been created across Slovenia, providing breeding habitats for different amphibian species. Since each of the species has its own  requirements, ponds must be designed to meet the needs of specific target species.

So far, newly created ponds have mainly supported the yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata) and the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex). This autumn, we will begin creating ponds for another rare and endangered species – the moor frog (Rana arvalis). Male moor frogs are especially striking during the short breeding season, when they temporarily turn bright blue. The new ponds will feature shallow areas and deeper zones to retain water even during dry periods.

This small and isolated population of moor frogs in Ljubljansko barje was only discovered in 2010. They live in floodplain forest, a habitat that now survives only in small patches in the area. Because the population is so isolated, it is exposed to numerous threats. One of these is disturbance caused by people, especially photographers who visit the site during the breeding season to observe the blue-colored males.

With the creation of new ponds, we aim to provide better breeding habitats for the moor frog and improve the chances for the long-term survival of their population in Ljubljansko barje. The ponds will also benefit many other species that depend on wetland habitats in the area.

Photo: A. Bolčina, K. Drašler