Protection of Emys orbicularis and amphibians in the North European lowlands (LIFE05NAT/LT/000094)

Protection of Emys orbicularis and amphibians in the North European lowlands
News

Study Tour Lithuania-Poland - 2006-07-03

Danish and German experts gathered for a study tour, which started in Zuvintas biosphere reserve on 27th of June. The aim of study tour was to evaluate the ponds either with Emys orbicularis, Triturus cristatus or Bombina bombina and estimate management needed to improve habitats. The herpetologists team of Lars Briggs (Denmark), Norbert Schneeweiss, Heidrun Beckmann, dr. Martina Meeske (Germany), Giedrius Trakimas, Žydrūnas Sinkevičius (Lithuania) focused on several main types of habitat elements such as summer ponds, egg lying sites, hibernation places considering their suitability for turtles. Important sites in Zuvintas for conservation of threatened amphibians have been studied and needed management preestimated. During three days spent at Lithuanian sites in Zuvintas, Veisiejai and Meteliai Regional Parks, Kuciuliske and Straciunai conservation sites and other important places brought worthfull advices on management as well as huge experience for local specialists of regional Parks.

Expert team during study tour

After having studied Lithuanian sites the experts went to East Poland visiting places for turtles and amphibians. Discussion on management issues was held in Teremiski site for Emys. The participants visited egg lying places, where females have been seem, also special attention was given to aquatic habitats as beaver floodings, fish ponds and streams. In Bialowieza National Park new dug and old ponds for Triturus cristatus and Hyla arborea have been studied and compared. The experts had a look at valuable sites and terrestrial habitats near Bialowieza forest studying the site, where an emys was found 4 years ago, and the ponds for isolated Bombina bombina population, where 11 amphibian species are found.


The work was hard considering sweaty days during which the experts had to visit and evaluate many places in both countries. Despite that tiredness has been periodically changed into joyfull moments when observing turtles like in Juodabale (Lithuania) site or accidentally catching triturus cristatus in swampy ponds.


The study tour was the first step in evaluation of habitats and preparation for detailed study which will be carried out later this summer.