Spring migration of frogs, toads and newts
Environmental Agency asks for support from volunteer amphibian conservationists - building yard puts up signs at migration hotspots - forest road closed to road users from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Friday
With the onset of spring-like temperatures, when the ground is frost-free and the evening temperatures exceed 5°C, and finally rain is added, the annual and, so to speak, regular migration of amphibians can also be expected in our latitudes: In order to safeguard these migration routes, which often include dangerous road crossings for the animals, various options are being realised under the leadership of the lower nature conservation authority in the city's environmental department.
Stationary and mobile amphibian protection systems: Based on experience with toad migrations in recent years, stationary amphibian protection systems were subsequently installed on roads with known migration centres and also main conflict points for the amphibians, for example on Röhrsdorfer Straße and Eubaer Straße. This enables amphibians to cross underneath road culverts independently and safely. When new roads are built, appropriate installations are already being realised in advance at such known conflict points for migrating amphibians, for example on the Südring and in the area of the extended Kalkstraße. Mobile amphibian protection fences are used where it is not possible to erect a stationary amphibian protection system for structural or economic reasons. The fences, which are erected especially for the spawning migration period, prevent the animals from reaching the road and being run over. Depending on the subsoil and ground conditions, buckets are dug into the ground at most mobile fences, into which the animals inevitably fall and which they cannot leave on their own. Mobile fences are set up on Röhrsdorfer Straße and Eubaer Straße as an extension of the stationary amphibian protection system, on Weigandstraße and Riedstraße, on Poltermühlenteich, on Bräuteichweg, on F.-O.-Schimmel-Straße, on Eibenberger Straße and on Einsiedler Hauptstraße. According to the Environment Agency, this is where the work of the amphibian conservationists begins, who carry the animals across the road every day after dawn and dusk. Last year, 15 volunteer amphibian conservationists, members of a school working group and members of an association as well as the BuFDis and FÖJ-ler of the Environmental Agency supported this work.
Temporary closure of the forest road: During the amphibian migration, the forest road, which cannot be used by motorised people at night, will also be temporarily closed as in previous years. This will begin on Friday, 14 March at 6 pm. According to the experience of the Environment Agency from previous years, the closure may be necessary for four to eight weeks and will last from 6 pm until 7 am.
Signposts at key hiking points: At over 30 amphibian migration hotspots in Chemnitz known to the Environment Agency, information signs (illustration) will be erected with immediate effect by the building yard in the Civil Engineering Department. The signs are intended to make road users aware of amphibian migrations and to oblige them to drive appropriately and responsibly. Based on experience from previous years, the signs are expected to remain in place for six to eight weeks.
Information on amphibians: Native frogs, toads and newts belong to the class of amphibians, which spend their lives both on land and in water. Most of the 21 species found in Germany are dependent on bodies of water, at least for their reproduction. A special feature of their way of life is that they visit different seasonal habitats and exhibit pronounced migratory behaviour between them. Road traffic is a major cause of danger for the decline of all amphibian species that are now specially protected. The most conspicuous conflict for humans occurs when the animals leave their hibernation sites - e.g. hollows under roots, in the ground and in mud - in spring after hibernation and make their way to their spawning waters, often "cut up" by roads. Depending on the species, the animals cover distances ranging from a few hundred metres (e.g. the pond newt) to several kilometres (e.g. the common toad).
Contact: If you have any questions on the subject or are willing to volunteer and/or observe amphibians, please contact the Lower Nature Conservation Authority at the City of Chemnitz Environmental Agency on 0371/488-3602.