"Inevitable" Extinction of Rare Toad
- Scott Lockhart
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita is taking its last stand, nearly wiping out its existence in Scotland.
A new study:
(Sean MacLeod, Mhairi E. Alexander, Gonçalo M. Rosa and Frances Orton)
has highlighted the serious decline of this particular species in Scotland and the reasons behind it.
Location
They are only found on the Scottish Solway coast in Dumfries and Galloway (South-West Scotland).
Closely matched to the Common Toad, however the Natterjack has a smaller frame and ridged dorsal stripes.
Data was taken from the above sites in 2019 and again in 2021.
Outcome
Results show that the waters, at the controlled RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) site in Mersehead Nature Reserve, had better temperatures for larval development.
Acidic and Alkaline levels were neutral at said site.
Total Dissolved Solids (calcium, magnesium, sodium etc.) were low at the nature reserve also.
Grass levels were at reasonable short length, which allows successful populations of toads to survive.
Other Sites
It was the complete opposite for closely located habitats, where survival was low through poor water and land conditions.
Other pollutants (agriculture or industrial waste) were not measured in this study.
Rising seawater level is a factor of danger at these sites.
If it replaces freshwater then the salinity levels will rise and reduce toad population.
Climate change may be the worrying precedent.
Final Thoughts
There has been damage done that might be irreversible at this point in time (climate change).
We might be fighting an un-winnable situation even with our best efforts.
Despite this, we can plan for the future, push mitigation and/or ex-situ breeding so that populations remain steady.
Gonçalo M. Rosa has been contacted for comment
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