Man-made Mediterranean temporary ponds as a tool for amphibian conservation

Published source details Ruhí A., San Sebastián O., Feo C., Franch M., Gascón S., Richter-Boix À., Boix D. & Llorente G.A. (2012) Man-made Mediterranean temporary ponds as a tool for amphibian conservation. International Journal of Limnology, 48, 81-93.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Create ponds for amphibians Action Link

Create ponds for amphibians

A small replicated site comparison study in 2006–2008 of two created temporary ponds in Spain (Ruhí et al. 2012) found that created ponds had similar or higher amphibian species diversity compared to natural local ponds. The constructed pond in the ‘high diversity’ area had similar adult but higher larval species richness compared to natural ponds (adults: 9 vs 7–8; larvae: 6–8 vs 4). The constructed pond in the ‘low diversity’ area had higher species richness than natural ponds (adults: 4 vs 2; larvae: 3–4 vs 2). Numbers of adult natterjack toads Bufo calamita entering the created pond was higher in the ‘high diversity’ area, but the number of post-metamorphic individuals leaving was higher at the ‘low diversity’ site. Ponds less than 0.5 ha and 1 m deep were created in 2006 on arable land. Amphibians were monitored in March-June using drift-fencing with pitfalls surrounding each pond. Larvae were sampled monthly using dip-netting. Five natural wetlands/ponds within 3 km of each constructed pond were sampled in 2006 using dip-netting and transect surveys at night.