Spring migration of frogs, toads and newts begins
When the length of the day reaches a certain number of hours at the end of February/beginning of March, the ground is frost-free, evening temperatures exceed 5°C and there is rain, the amphibian migration can be expected to begin.
The frogs, toads and newts that live here 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 us humans occurs when the animals leave their hibernation sites (hollows under roots, in the ground, in mud, etc.) in the spring after hibernation and set off on the route to their spawning waters, which is often dissected by roads. Depending on the species, they cover distances ranging from a few hundred metres (e.g. pond newt) to several kilometres (e.g. common toad).
In order to safeguard these migration routes, which often include road crossings, the Chemnitz Lower Nature Conservation Authority (UNB), with the support of other authorities and members of the public, is taking various approaches.
At the main points of conflict, stationary amphibian protection facilities were subsequently erected on existing roads (e.g. on Röhrsdorfer Straße and Eubaer Straße), which allow amphibians to cross safely under the road through culverts.
During the construction of new roads, such installations were also realised at known conflict points (e.g. on Südring and 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 erected 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.
This is where the work of the amphibian conservationists begins, who carry the animals across the road every day after dawn and dusk.
In addition, roads with little traffic are closed at night during the amphibian migration (e.g. the forest road) and signs are put up at around 30 migration hotspots, obliging drivers to drive appropriately and responsibly.
If you have any questions, are willing to volunteer or have observed amphibians, please contact the Chemnitz Lower Nature Conservation Authority on 488 3602.