| Amphibians (frogs, toads and newts) are one of the most threatened groups of organisms on earth, with a third of all species having suffered declines. Ireland has only one species of frog (Rana temporaria) which is a key part of Irish ecosystems as a predator of insects and other invertebrates, as well as itself being prey for other species. | Adult frog (Rana temporaria) with spawn (Photo: Fred Holmes, ARC) |
The National Frog Survey of Ireland began in March 2010 and will run until November 2011. As well as producing an up to date map of frog distribution in Ireland, the survey will also examine the aquatic and terrestrial habitats used by frogs and gather information on the threats facing these habitats. Baseline data on the size of the national frog population will also be gathered against which future population changes can be compared. The survey is funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and will be carried out by National Parks and Wildlife Service Conservation Rangers in partnership with Giorria Environmental Services, Quercus at Queen’s University Belfast and the charity Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.
The results of the survey will help fulfil obligations under the EU Habitats Directive and, ultimately, will help to ensure the long-term survival of frogs in Ireland.
The Natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) is restricted to 12 sites in Co. Kerry. Such a restricted distribution leaves the species vulnerable to population reduction and extinction. A research project, in collaboration with UCC, was initiated to evaluate the ecological factors that influence the toad's breeding success over three successive years (2004-2006). The final report from this work has been published as an Irish Wildlife Manual (Irish Wildlife Manual No 31: 
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Monitoring the toad's breeding success will provide sufficient data to determine trends in population growth and to provide a baseline against which to compare future surveys. This will also enable research to take into consideration annual variability when investigating the effect of environmental factors on the toad breeding activity. Meanwhile the implementation of the strategies identified in the conservation plan for the Natterjack Toad (Irish Wildlife Manual No 10: [493KB]) continues. Most recently NPWS has launched a scheme to encourage farmers to dig new ponds for toads. Around Castlemaine and West of Castlegregory, farmers will be paid €500 per pond per year. You can read more about the NPWS toad scheme here.
Natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) (Photo: NPWS)
Research into leatherback turtles has taken great strides in recent years and NPWS were very pleased to have been able to provide funding towards the satellite tracking work being carried out by UCC. A report on the migration behaviour of leatherbacks in Irish waters can be downloaded here (Irish Wildlife Manual No. 32: [10,518KB]). Two animals were tagged of Dingle, in Co. Kerry, a female in 2005 and a male in 2006. The subsequent migration, diving and feeding behaviour of these animals was then followed for several months. Both animals headed South for the Cape Verde Islands. The female then turned north-west and was last seen heading for Newfoundland; the male was last seen off the coast of French Guyana, the area where the Irish turtles are thought to breed. More details on the leatherback turtle project are available on the link provided. NPWS also providing some funds in 2007 / 2008 and again in 2008 / 2009 to increase patrols along leatherback nesting beaches in the Gabon - the most important leatherback turtle nesting beaches in the Atlantic. Read about Turtle Protection in Gabon, 2007 - 08 [5.3MB].
Three species of lamprey (brook lamprey Lampetra planeri, river lamprey L. fluviatilis and sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus) occur in Ireland. All three are listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive. NPWS has funded a survey programme to map the distribution and abundance of these lampreys in the main SACs designated for their protection.
Detailed surveys have taken place on the Slaney (Irish Wildlife Manual No 14: [1,095KB]), Blackwater (Irish Wildlife Manual No 14: [1,095KB]), Moy (Irish Wildlife Manual No 15: [2,937KB]), Feale (Irish Wildlife Manual No 22: [1,007KB]), Barrow (Irish Wildlife Manual No 21: [665KB]), Boyne (Irish Wildlife Manual No 24: [1,122KB]), Suir and Corrib (Irish Wildlife Manual No 26: [1,114KB]).
While most of the data relates to juveniles, information on spawning has also been collected. Data has been compiled for eight additional catchments as part of a project to develop a lamprey monitoring protocol. Our results show significant differences in lamprey densities both within and between catchments. Dredging and weirs are two of the biggest threats to the favourable conservation status of these animals.
Brook Lamprey (Lampetra planeri) (Photo: Eddie Dunne)
Members of Research Branch can be contacted by e-mailing: natureconservation@environ.ie