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Campaign to Track Newts oA Successo: |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090  View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 14 Dec 2003 Campaign to Track Newts 'A Success' By Amanda Brown, Environment Correspondent, PA News Moves to track down the countryÆs population of threatened Great Crested Newts has been a major success, wildlife campaigners announced today.
A trial survey in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Glamorgan has involved the collection of vital information about the species, Triturus cristatus, and will be now be used to develop a National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme by national voluntary bodies in association with the National Biodiversity Network. It is estimated that there are 18,000 breeding ponds in Britain, but less than 20% of these sites are known and many ponds are lost through neglect or development. The survey located these ponds to monitor the national status of the species. It will help conservationists to target advice and grant aid in order to improve habitats for the newts; by restoring ponds with newts already present or to create ponds which they can colonise. The trial survey involved more than 100 people and Great Crested Newts were found in about a quarter of the areas surveyed, with 10 new breeding ponds identified. The trial was a collaborative partnership between the Environment Agency, Countryside Council for Wales, English Nature, Froglife, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Southern Water, The Herpetological Conservation Trust and local Amphibian and Reptile groups. Rebecca Cleaver, UK Great Crested Newt Conservation co-ordinator, said: ôWe are delighted with the results of our trial survey. There was a fantastic response from landowners, with most being happy to let volunteers survey their ponds. The volunteers located new populations of Great Crested newts, as well as confirming historic records.ö Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
- Campaign to Track Newts oA Successo |