climate change

A brief introduction to Marsh Frogs

April 11, 2022 by admin

Froglife volunteer, Victoria L, has taken the time to look into Marsh Frogs, one of the non-native frog species that you could come across in ponds and ditches across the UK, Most commonly spotted in South-eastern areas of England.

What are Marsh Frogs and where do they come from?

Marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) are a species of frog which are native to continental Europe and Western Asia. They are not a native species in the UK and were introduced in the 1930’s from eastern Europe. They are Europe’s largest native frog species, growing up to 15cm in length. In the UK, they are most frequently found in the Southeast of England, particularly in marshland areas.

Where do Marsh Frogs like to live?

Marsh Frogs are most prominent in the South-east of England due to having been imported from Hungary in 1935 and introduced to the Walland Marsh in Kent, already making it the main location of the species in the UK. Marsh Frogs prefer to spend most of their time either at the edge of or inside a body of water. They have an affinity towards wet, humid habitats such as lakes, ponds, and rivers. When they are not in the depths of these water bodies, they bathe in the sun.

This aquatic preference makes Marsh Frogs differ from other species, like the common frog, which travel around the landscape without much need to be in a constantly wet environment.

What makes Marsh Frogs unique?

Marsh Frogs may seem like any ‘typical’ frog, yet they have some unique features in plain sight. Marsh Frogs are bigger than the usual frog, usually being 13cm long but have the potential to reach 15cm. This contrasts with other frog species which are usually smaller, around 8cm. Another special identification detail about Marsh Frogs is that males have two grey vocal sacs on either side of their head which produce their call. Marsh Frogs have an interesting call which sounds like a cackle or a laugh, which can be produced by both females and males. Their calls travels far and can be used to attract mates.

Marsh Frogs have the ability to have hybrid offspring with other frog species, the green frog group. They can also easily adapt, for example them being able to survive in salt marshes.

Although Marsh Frogs are not native to the UK, their close relative, the pool frog, is. They belong to a group called ‘Green Frogs’ along with their hybrid, the edible frog.

What do Marsh Frogs look like?

They have large heads, males having the two grey vocal sacs on either side. Marsh Frogs also have textured skin along with folds on either side of their body. They come in a variety of colours, be it green, brown or grey.

What is the diet of Marsh Frogs?

Like any other frog, Marsh Frogs consume insects such as worms and spiders. Yet, they may also consume other frogs and even mice, contributing to the threat of native species in the UK.

What impact do Marsh Frogs have in the UK?

With Kent having a rise in the invasive, non-native, Marsh Frog population there has been a simultaneous decline in the populations of common frogs and native newts. Studies have shown that this is likely due to the Marsh Frog species preying on the common frogs and native newts while also bringing them diseases such as chytridiomycosis which they carry and is a threat to native species.

Other studies have shown a decrease in common frogs occurring in habitats which do not contain Marsh Frogs. This is likely due to the changes in habitats caused by pollution and climate change. This has led researchers to believe that the cause of this decline in common frogs is caused by both factors, which also affects other native species as well.

The affect of climate change on Marsh Frogs and other Herpetofauna:

Climate change also plays an important role on the future of Marsh Frogs and UK native frog species. Reptiles and amphibians are sensitive to the changes in precipitation of their environment, being two animal groups which are highly affected by climate change. As climate change and other severe events increase, research and monitoring of vulnerable species become even more important to drive effective conservation efforts.

Warmer temperatures have an unforeseen affect on herpetofauna, impacting their behaviour, reproduction and distribution traits. With climate change and global warming, this is currently affecting them.

It is a COP OUT!

November 23, 2021 by Kathy Wormald

Froglife shares the frustration of many of our supporters that World Leaders did not set binding targets to keep global temperature rises below 1.5 degrees at COP26. We keep saying it is time to stop talking and to take action, yet once again World Leaders failed to do this. Reptiles and amphibians are disproportionately impacted by climate change and global warming. Here we are in November, approaching winter in the UK, and due to the mild weather, we are still receiving reports of amphibians spawning. They should be hibernating and as they are not they will not have stored sufficient energy for the effort of spawning next spring. We cannot reach the 1.5 degrees unless we address the many other elements that are having a negative impact on climate such as coal mining.

Our leaders may have let us down and not taken negotiations far enough but so many more people are now on board and we have to take this movement further to push our governments to do more.

We want to reassure all of our supporters that Froglife will continue with the battle to conserve the UKs reptile and amphibian species. We will, through our extensive programme of habitat works, continue to create and restore vital habitats for the species that we represent. We will continue our work in engaging with wide ranging audiences in order to ensure that as many people as possible can help us with this battle.

We appreciate the huge support that we got from our supporters leading up to and during COP26 and we will harness this support. We want to thank all of those who sent in their messages to world leaders. We are pleased with the outcome from the stand that we had in the green zone at COP26, where we certainly raised awareness of the importance of smaller freshwater habitats (ponds, ditches, small lakes and lochs). We are thrilled to have heard from so many people who took direct action by building ponds and improving habitats to help our reptiles and amphibians.

We are better together and if COP26 highlighted one thing it is the global concern about climate change and urgency to stop the destruction of our world. We cannot wait any longer for the 1.5 degrees target to be reached. We must collectively continue to ensure that we reach this target.

Blog: Ben Harris- Climate Change

October 28, 2021 by Ben Harris

With Froglife’s attendance at COP26 quickly approaching, my thoughts have been directed towards the impact of climate change on our native reptile and amphibian species. Climate change has always loomed in my mind as the other ugly sibling of biodiversity loss, but it is the one I have never really given enough attention to, and certainly the one I understand less about. I imagine it is my line of work in habitat management and public engagement that has led to this bias; it has always seemed more pressing to me to focus on improving the plight of our dwindling wildlife, whether through good land management or working with the public to increase awareness. However, I know the two are inextricably linked and we cannot work on solving one of these issues without considering the other.

Dunford and Berry’s (2012) paper is an illuminating report on the effects climate change might have on the UK’s herpetofauna. The predictions on how the range and populations of certain species are mixed, but by and large the prognosis is poor if climate change continues on its current trajectory. Both reptiles and amphibians rely heavily on specific features within their environment, and even small changes in their habitat caused by climate change might have an impact. For example ponds, areas for thermoregulation, hibernation spots, and places to lay eggs are all needed within reasonable distance of each other to support different species. Whilst climate change will likely result in the disappearance of some of these features outright, it will also degrade them as well. It is this in particular that I want to explore: habitat degradation and how we can mitigate it in habitat management.

Recently, I have seen a lot of media coverage on the benefits of rewilding and restoring natural ecological processes. It is refreshing to see such public interest in environmental conservation, but I do worry that the continued need for talented land management is being overlooked. Where possible, rewilding of our native species should be explored and encouraged, but in some cases it is an idealistic pursuit. Many of our species, particularly reptiles and amphibians, rely on habitat in varying states of mid-succession (such as areas of long grass and scrub), and in many places it is only feasible to create and maintain these through artificial means. When we add climate change to the mix, land managers are now going to have to deal with even more problems and interactions than they currently do, and it is clear to me that we will still require excellent habitat management to deal with less than ideal quality. An example would be at Hampton Nature Reserve, a 300 acre Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and home to all of the widespread UK reptiles and a variety of amphibians. We manage the land here in such a way that it is still valuable for these species. Without the annual pond clearances and coppicing, the mosaic of water bodies which make it such a valuable habitat would cease to exist, and climate change would just accelerate his.

As habitat degrades due to climate change, reptiles and amphibians will also need to be able to move throughout the landscape to seek better alternatives. Although climate change might not directly affect habitat connectivity, it will certainly make it even more important than it already is. Reptiles in particular are notoriously poor colonisers, and even now, species such as the adder live in isolated pockets without the potential for movement. Again, it is down to land managers and owners to work in partnership with one another and invent creative and diplomatic ways of reconnecting our fragmented countryside. I hope COP26 will highlight the need to commit to greener economic solutions and move away from carbon-based energy sources, and by doing so we can perhaps avoid the worst of climate change. But the effects are already having an impact on our native wildlife and we will still require continued investment in habitat management to mitigate it.

Making Your Voices Heard at COP26

October 28, 2021 by Mirran Trimble

Over the past few weeks we have been receiving all of your fantastic messages for world leaders which we will be sharing at COP26 on November 1^st. It has been wonderful to see so many voices coming together to stand up for our planet, and we are delighted to be able to share your messages at COP26 and make your voices heard. Together we are powerful and we can make a difference. It is vital that the decision-makers who are supposed to represent us can hear us and know what we expect from them.

There has been far too much talking and far too little action in the fight against climate change, and time is quickly running out. We must take action on a large scale, but for this to happen, it is essential that world leader’s make the right decisions now. If we do not act soon, then we are risking entire ecosystem collapse and the destruction of our beautiful planet.

It may sound dramatic, but this is the real risk that humanity is currently facing. However, it is not too late to stop this from happening. COP26 is the final opportunity for world leaders to get it right, and we must do all we can to push them in the right direction. To all those who have sent us their messages for world leaders – thank you! We have received messages from people all over the UK and internationally, and it is wonderful to see so many people fighting for our planet. If you haven’t yet sent us your message for world leaders, please do send them to us here and let us make your voice heard!

These are just a few of the brilliant messages you have been sending in over the past few weeks!

“Life is breathtakingly beautiful and full of amazement: the change of a tadpole to the tiniest frog is something which brings delight, wonder and joy. Let’s think not just of ourselves but of generations ahead of us, seven generations on. How will they think of us? Will they bless us, this generation on the cusp of either devastation or renewal? Or will they curse us?” Mary, Leeds

“Please restrict the power of big corporations, oil companies, industries. We need more, bold, effective regulations to steer our climate towards a less destructive direction. We all depend on your bravery, expertise, and experience. As a citizen I can just vote, vote with my wallet, and write messages. As leaders, you can do so much more. Please act before it’s too late.” Anna, Germany

“Money, power and politics mean nothing on an Earth that can’t sustain life… please remember that your decisions today will impact the lives of every being on this planet…” Charlotte, Planet Earth

“Please remember that our amphibians and reptiles will also be affected by our changing climate, in particular how their habitats and food are affected by the changes that come from more extreme weather and unpredictable elements. Ensuring our wildlife, including reptiles and amphibians, survive our changing climate is important because with them our ecosystems are healthier and will function better, and our lives (and generations to come) will be much richer for having them here.” Ed, Forest of Dean

“Do you want to look back on your time in office, and be remembered for doing all you could to save the planet, or do you want to be remembered for inaction and failure?” William, UK

The Power of Ponds – Froglife at COP26

October 26, 2021 by Mirran Trimble

This year COP26 is being hosted in Glasgow, and there is a lot of excitement building up for the long-awaited conference after it was postponed last year. With the climate crisis looming bigger than ever, and time for action rapidly running out, this is arguably one of the most important COPs to date. COP26 provides the perfect platform to discuss and debate, find solutions and set bold new targets, but most importantly we must use this momentum to start taking action now!

Here at Froglife we are excited to announce that we are one of the few organisations selected to run an Exhibition Stand at COP26. Our Exhibition will be a collaboration with the British Dragonfly Society, and together we will be highlighting the power of ponds! Ponds are a fantastic and highly under-rated tool in the combat against climate change. They are carbon sinks which means they reduce the levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and consequently reduce the effects of global warming. Ponds can store and absorb carbon at unexpectedly high rates, with many ponds even able to absorb carbon at a higher rate than woodlands¹. It’s not just carbon either – ponds can remove all sorts of greenhouse gases from our atmosphere. For example, two thirds of farm ponds in the UK are nitrous oxide sinks². Nitrogen is a component of chlorophyll which is often used in farm fertiliser. When fertiliser runs into farm ponds, the algae in these ponds absorbs the nitrogen before it is able to react with oxygen in the air to become nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas which can trap heat at 300 times the rate of carbon dioxide.

Ponds can function as carbon sinks, biodiversity hotspots, educational resources, and flood mitigation amongst other things. When creating new ponds, it is always good to be clear about why you are creating it and design and manage it accordingly. To gain maximum benefit it is best to create a network of multiple different ponds that serve for different purposes.

Research into the role of ponds in combatting climate change is very promising, and ponds are such a useful tool because they are also highly actionable, with many people able to create them in their own gardens and community spaces. This is why our Exhibition will focus on teaching people all about ponds. Our key element will be a fun, interactive model pond activity using two recycled container ‘ponds’ and a number of handmade pond props. We will be encouraging people to get stuck in and have a go at creating their idea of a ‘good’ and ‘bad’ ponds, prompting discussion around why ponds are important, and what makes a good pond.

Although our main focus will be on ponds, we will also be highlighting another important threat to biodiversity at COP26; wildlife road mortality. This is a significant issue that threatens wildlife globally, with the Common Toad being at particularly high risk in the UK³. We will be immersing people into this issue through our virtual reality technology which will allow participants to view the world through the eyes of a Common Toad attempting to migrate to its breeding pond. This thought-provoking activity will not only demonstrate the problem, but also the solution offered by wildlife tunnels! Read more on this issue here: www.froglife.org/t-o-a-d-campaign

Our Exhibition Stand at COP26 is an important opportunity for us to stimulate discussion and encourage and support people to take action at home. We also want to use our platform to make your voices heard! Please send us your message for world leaders and we will share these at COP26 through an interactive ‘pond dip’ (or ‘message dip’) activity, as well as displaying them on a large screen for everyone to see.

We are really excited to talk to people about the power of ponds at COP26. We will be in the Green Zone on November 1^st, so grab your free Green Zone tickets and we will see you there!

References:

Taylor, S., Gilbert, PJ., Cooke, DA., et al. (2019) High carbon burial rates by small ponds in the landscape. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 17(1), 25-31.

Webb, JR., Hayes, NM., Simpson, GL. et al. (2019) Widespread nitrous oxide undersaturation in farm waterbodies creates an unexpected greenhouse gas sink. PNAS. 116(20), 9814-9819.

Petrovan, SO., Schmidt, BR. (2016) Volunteer Conservation Action Data Reveals Large-Scale and Long-Term Negative Population Trends of a Widespread Amphibian, the Common Toad (Bufo bufo). PLOS ONE 11(10): e0161943. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161943

Why is the Climate Emergency Important to Froglife?

October 4, 2021 by Kathy Wormald

Written by Kathy Wormald, CEO of Froglife.

Froglife is a wildlife conservation charity with a specific remit to conserve the UK’s native reptile and amphibian species and their habitats. Froglife is concerned about the impact that climate change is having on the UK’s reptile and amphibian populations. Globally, amphibians are declining at a faster rate than mammals and birds. These declines are being witnessed in the UK with Froglife research showing a 68% decline in the UK’s common toads (Bufo bufo) over a 30 year period.

There are several reasons for these declines with climate change a major contributor. All of our species are dependent on good quality habitats and reliable climate/weather conditions. The most obvious/immediate way in which the climate emergency is affecting our species is in the increasingly erratic weather we are experiencing. This year’s prolonged drought in Southern Scotland (effectively no rain through June and July when amphibians need freshwater in order for young to develop) has led to many ponds drying out too early in the season. This has resulted in mass mortality of amphibian larvae. Our own habitat monitoring in Scotland and other regions of the UK coupled with the number of enquiries we have received from people across the country about either the lack of spawn/eggs or mass mortality of amphibian larvae or tadpoles, confirms this is the case. These weather conditions have occurred a few times over the last few years.

Related to the nature emergency, our species rely heavily on insects for food, and there is international concern of severe declines in insect populations. With such a severe shortage of food sources, our species are struggling to survive, certainly this is the case at a population level, where vast numbers of insects are required to keep whole populations sustained.

Scotland has so far largely escaped the effects on amphibians of chytrid disease, but aspects of climate change, such as higher temperatures, could begin to favour the spread of the disease. Immediate and urgent action is required now to stop these devastating declines of these species as they are a central part of our ecosystem. They are also a vital food source for other wildlife including birds and small mammals and are an excellent learning tool for young children learning about full lifecycles. Most importantly, they are a crucial part of our heritage and for their intrinsic value must be conserved for future generations to enjoy.

Froglife is a proud partner of Climate Scotland.

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