Habitat management for amphibians

HABITAT MANAGEMENT ADVICE

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Amphibian Habitat Management

Requirements
Amphibians require suitable aquatic and terrestrial habitats to support their life histories. Their eggs are laid in water and the larvae develop there. Outside the breeding season adults and juveniles spend much of their time on land where, generally, they need damp or humid conditions to prevent water loss; some species can tolerate more water loss than others. Basic requirements for amphibian habitats are:

Suitable water bodies for egg-laying.
Shelter from excessive heat, dryness and predators.
Suitable foraging areas and sufficiently large populations of prey species.
Suitable hibernation sites.

Management objectives
The goal should be to develop a viable population on a site that is secure and self-sustaining in the long term. Management of a habitat should therefore aim to maintain:

Ponds with a sunny aspect, suitable depth and amount of aquatic vegetation.
A terrestrial habitat vegetation structure appropriate for the species concerned.
Unpolluted water and water table.
Open areas within habitats to allow sunlight to reach ground level.
Continuity of sufficient and appropriate habitat over time.
Hibernation areas.
Connectivity at a landscape level of areas occupied by amphibians.

Management should also avoid:

The introduction of fish to ponds used by amphibians.
Using ponds to support large numbers of wildfowl.
Activities that damage the terrestrial vegetation structure that amphibians require.
Pond management during the amphibian breeding or hibernation seasons.
Activities that can cause direct killing or inuring of animals or significant disturbance.