PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Due to their extreme vulnerability and complex lifestyle, amphibians are considered “The canary in the coal mine” for environmental and climate change. Globally, over 40 % of amphibians are threatened with extinction, clearly demonstrating the crisis they are facing. In the EU, the main threats to amphibians include habitat degradation, habitat fragmentation, climate change, advancing invasive alien species (IAS) and, despite their popularity, a low public awareness of their challenges, impact people have and how they can contribute to amphibian conservation. Their dependence on both suitable terrestrial and aquatic habitat worsens their predicament.
In Belgium, amphibians also experience significant population declines. In Flanders and Wallonia
several species are classified by IUCN as vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered or extinct. The decline is primarily driven by habitat loss and degradation, especially due to agricultural intensification, urbanisation, and transportation infrastructure. Agricultural intensification, hydrological drainage and urban expansion has led to the destruction of terrestrial and aquatic habitat. Habitat fragmentation has also isolated amphibian populations, making it difficult for individuals to migrate, breed, and maintain genetic diversity.
Despite these challenges, Belgium has seen some conservation successes through habitat restoration projects (including several LIFE projects) and public awareness campaigns. The coordinated and sustained implementation of regional species action
plans have proven essential in achieving these successes.
Nevertheless, sustained efforts are still needed to address the multifaceted threats still facing amphibians in the region, including stronger legal protections, enhanced habitat connectivity, and more effective climate adaptation strategies. This is particularly true for the amphibian species Midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans), Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita), Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata) and Common spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus), specialists that depend on increasingly rare dynamic or pioneer habitat and require a broad approach and tailored measures.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the LIFE ToadAlly project is to improve the conservation status of four highly endangered toad species in the Belgian provinces of Limburg and Liège and beyond: Midwife toad, Natterjack toad, Yellow-bellied toad and Common spadefoot.
The project's specific objectives are to:
- restore and create terrestrial and aquatic habitat for the target species;
- reduce population isolation and support species dispersal by establishing corridors and stepping stone habitat;
- reintroduce and reinforce populations of the target species;
- develop new, update existing and implement Species Action Plans;
- raise awareness on amphibian conservation challenges;
- foster stewardship among local stakeholders and volunteers;
- stimulate replication of restoration measures.
The approach take by LIFE ToadAlly is unique in its comprehensiveness, as it will bridge population recovery, habitat restoration, population connectivity, climate adaptation, public and stakeholder mobilisation, and policy integration, to yield maximum conservation results within the project perimeter, through collaborations and synergies with projects in the Netherlands and Germany, in the cross-border three-country region and beyond.
RESULTS
The LIFE ToadAlly expects to result in:
- 100 ha of key terrestrial habitat restored;
- 145 shelters in the form of rock piles or hedges established;
- over 300 ponds restored or established;
- at least 8 populations of target species reintroduced or restocked;
- over 100 local volunteers recruited as local stewards;
- project objectives integrated in three species protection plans in Flanders and three species action plans in Wallonia.