Habitat management for amphibians

HABITAT MANAGEMENT ADVICE

Amphibian Habitat Management:
further information

Landscape connectivity
To be most effective, features occupied by amphibians need to connected - for example, a field pond should be surrounded by tussocky vegetation, allowing the amphibians to easily reach the hedgerows and therefore surrounding habitats such as woodland and other ponds.

Natterjack habitat
Natterjacks have a much more restricted distribution and very different habitat requirements from other amphibians. The surrounding habitat needs to be more open and the ponds generally shallower. Indeed as other amphibian species out-compete natterjacks is is often important that the habitat should not be to favourable for the more widespread species.

Gardens
Gardens and other open areas in urban and sub-urban environments such as school grounds and allotments provide valuable habitat for many species of amphibian, particularly the smaller newt species and common frogs, though common toads and even great crested newts do occur in these areas. Garden ponds are valuable features for conserving amphibians in urban and sub-urban areas and can help form important wildlife corridors. For more information see the Dragons in your Garden campaign. >>>

Sustainable urban drainage schemes
Many opportunities exist when developing drainage systems to create habitats that benefit amphibians. These include road sides, industrial sites, service areas, schools and housing developments. Sustainable urban drainage schemes not only create pond and wetland habitat but importantly avoid features such as 'gully pot drainage' and high kerbs that can trap or restrict movement of amphibians.