Amphibia in danger: the big DNA research project in Austria!

Amphibia in danger: the big DNA research project in Austria!

In Austria, the stocks of frogs, toads, newts and other amphibians are strongly at risk due to habitat loss, pesticide use, landscape fragmentation and amphibian diseases. In order to better understand the diversity of amphibians, scientists have developed innovative methods that also include the commitment of the population. With the help of environmental DNA, which is left in the water by excretions, eggs or tissue residues, the species are identified in domestic waters. This enables ecologically sustainable monitoring of the amphibian stocks without the animals having to be caught or observed directly. Kleine Zeitung reports that Corinna Wallinger, the project manager, speaks of positive results in relation to the identification of the species.

As part of the Citizen Science project "Frosch in the water drop", over 1,120 sampling sets were distributed to private individuals, schools, associations and nature conservation organizations. An impressive return of 97 % shows the high interest of the public in recording amphibian species. DNA traces of 18 of the 21 domestic amphibian species could be detected from the returns. The pond shoulder, the grass frog and the earth toad were particularly often identified. In some waters, especially in the Weinviertel and Carinthia, up to eight different types were detected.

mushrooms that endanger the health

Despite this positive development, the situation is not harmless. In more than 11 % of the water samples, the chytrid fungus was detected, a pathogen that can severely damage and even kill amphibians. This mushroom was found in particular in rehearsals from eastern and western regions of Austria. The causes of its distribution could be the climatic conditions and the networking of the waters in these areas. Schrödinger’s cat points out that the chytrid fungus is one of the largest documented species deaths worldwide.

The project "The Frosch in the Drops of Water" emphasizes the importance of citizen participation, since over 100 citizens have taken water samples from private garden ponds to contribute to analysis. The data obtained is the first verifiable information about amphibians in private waters in Tyrol. By filtering the water samples, researchers were able to isolate the DNA of amphibians and confirm nine of twelve Amphibian species lived in Tyrol, including the mountain newstas, the earth toad, the grass frog, the fire salamander, the yellow -bellied tops and the ponds.

future prospects

The researchers of the University of Innsbruck, which are behind the project, plan to expand the studies with regard to the large number of waters in Austria. There are thousands of waters whose amphibian stocks and the occurrence of mushrooms still have to be documented. The results of these comprehensive studies will be scientifically published in the coming months. University of Innsbruck , on the other hand, supports the need to protect amphibian habitats and promote suitable measures to improve living conditions for these animals.

recommendations for the population include the design of gardens as a retreat for amphibians and the installation of amphibian fences in spring to enable a safe hike during the reproduction period. These initiatives can help protect the dwindling stocks of amphibians in Austria and to promote biodiversity.