Amphibian sound monitoring along the Rétközi Reservoir of the River Tisza at Szabolcsveresmart, Hungary
Abstract
The decline of amphibians is a global problem today. In Europe it is mainly caused by the disappearence and alteration of habitats, that is why it is necessary to counterbalance this negative process with the protection of already existing and the creation of new amphibian habitats. Several large scale interventions will be realised in the framework of the New Vásárhelyi Plan, a river-regulation oriented programme along River Tisza including the construction of new reservoirs. Rétközi Reservoir (48º16’30” N, 22º01’50” E) was built in 1990 but no herpetological examination has been carried out there since its construction. Our survey started in March 2008. Two sampling methods, visual encounter survey and sound monitoring according to the MONITOR2000 protocoll were applied. Anurans started to call later in 2008 than in other years due to unfavourable weather conditions. Bombina bombina, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae, Rana esculenta were detected using sound monitoring, in addition, Rana arvalis and Pelobates fuscus were found during visual encounter surveys. The sensitivity of the two sampling methods differed according to the local conditions and the species. The application of sound monitoring was especially effective in large habitat patches, areas with difficult access, species with loud voice and prolonged breeding season.
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