Green toads in changing times: habitat survey and creation using Citizen Science
Abstract
Amphibians (amphibians) are among the most threatened animal groups in the world. The reasons are many and include habitat destruction and degradation, fungal diseases, and land use changes. Despite the challenges, agricultural areas as well as cities have become important habitats for some amphibian species. One example is the endangered green toad. A typical pioneer species of steppes and wild river floodplains, it is now repeatedly seen in cultivated landscapes and urban areas, while its original habitats are almost non-existent. We have three main goals for our project: 1) The Austria-wide recording of Green Toad occurrences using a specially adapted Citizen Science App with which calls can also be recorded. 2) The analysis of factors (natural environmental factors, land use and pollutants) that influence the occurrence of the green toad. 3) A large Citizen Science initiative in which, with the help of participating citizens, up to 300 new green toad spawning ponds will be created and the emerging pioneer animal community will be evaluated. Our project will give us a deep insight into the ecology of the green toad that will help us effectively protect this endangered species. Through the creation of spawning waters, this project will also set in motion practical measures that will most likely have a lasting positive impact on the existing aquatic pioneer animal communities.
keywords Green toads pioneer species amphibian conservation
Publikationen
Project staff
Lukas Landler
Mag. Lukas Landler Ph.D.
lukas.landler@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83334
Project Leader
12.04.2023 - 31.12.2025
Stephan Burgstaller
Stephan Burgstaller MSc.
stephan.burgstaller@students.boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83322, 83330
Project Staff
01.08.2023 - 31.12.2025
Daniel Dörler
Mag.rer.nat. Dr.nat.techn. Daniel Dörler
daniel.doerler@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83320
Project Staff
12.04.2023 - 31.12.2025
Wolfram Graf
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wolfram Graf
wolfram.graf@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-81221
Project Staff
12.04.2023 - 31.12.2025
Florian Heigl
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Florian Heigl Bakk.techn.
florian.heigl@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83320
Project Staff
12.04.2023 - 31.12.2025
Maria Magdalena Krall
Maria Magdalena Krall
maria.krall@students.boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.11.2023 - 31.12.2025
Janette Siebert
Janette Siebert MSc.
janette.siebert@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
12.04.2023 - 31.12.2025
Magdalena Spießberger
Magdalena Spießberger MSc.
magdalena.spiessberger@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83322, 83330
Project Staff
01.08.2023 - 31.12.2025
Johann Zaller
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Johann Zaller
johann.zaller@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-83318
Project Staff
12.04.2023 - 31.12.2025
BOKU partners
External partners
Natural History Museum Vienna
Silke Schweiger
partner
Magistratsabteilung 45 - Wiener Gewässer
Thomas Ofenböck
partner