NABU project: Yellow-bellied toad rescue takes off in Lower Saxony!

NABU project: Yellow-bellied toad rescue takes off in Lower Saxony!

Dr. Buschmann, new honorary professor at the University of Hildesheim, has already specialized in many species in his field of nature conservation. His appointment is an important step for the academic and practical deepening of nature conservation. He leads the seminar “Nature Conservation and Environmental Law” and brings in his extensive experience as state chairman of NABU Lower Saxony. Buschmann's research interests, particularly focusing on amphibians and plant-animal interactions, have always been an essential part of his career. As part of his research, he examines, among other things, the influence of snail predation on vegetation and biodiversity.

One of his findings shows that snails have a similarly strong influence on plant cover as sheep. While snail feeding damages plant diversity in dry grassland areas, it can have a positive effect in nutrient-rich areas by pushing back dominant plant species. Buschmann's interest in nature conservation was awakened in his childhood. After studying biology in Würzburg, he gained experience through numerous internships before working as a freelancer on various projects.

Research and projects on yellow-bellied toads

One of Buschmann's central projects involves the yellow-bellied toad, a critically endangered amphibian species in Germany. This has largely lost its natural habitats, mainly due to human activities. Despite this threat, the yellow-bellied toad was able to survive in so-called secondary biotopes such as quarries and military training areas. In recent years it has even received the title “Lurch of the Year 2014”, which was initiated by the German Society for Herpetology and Terrarium Science to draw attention to its dwindling habitat.

The yellow-bellied toad, which has a gray-brown to clay-yellow back color and a bright yellow underside, has traditionally required shallow, sun-exposed small bodies of water as a habitat. Adaptation measures are currently necessary to create suitable habitats and maintain the spawning waters. NABU Lower Saxony, under Buschmann's leadership, organizes projects to reintroduce and protect this species. These also include the breeding station in the Hildesheim school biology center, which has been active since 2020.

Networking and protective measures

To ensure the survival of the yellow-bellied toad and other amphibian species, comprehensive protective measures are necessary. This includes restoring and maintaining their spawning waters, creating new small bodies of water and connecting habitats. These steps are crucial because the yellow-bellied toad and other amphibians are critically endangered in Germany, while they are not threatened with extinction in Europe as a whole.

In addition, a supra-regional protection project is underway by five NABU regional associations, which is concerned with strengthening and networking yellow-bellied toad populations in Germany. A total of 130 areas are involved in this project. NABU offers extensive information such as brochures and flyers to raise awareness among those responsible and the public about protecting the yellow-bellied toad.

Close cooperation is necessary in the context of amphibian conservation. Coordination between different pond managers and amphibian species plays a crucial role in creating reproductive waters. Professional pond managers and fishing associations can take action to provide habitats for amphibians at no additional cost. Even simple measures such as creating resting areas and tolerating underwater vegetation are of great importance for amphibian protection.

Thanks to the initiative of Dr. Buschmann and NABU, we can hope for positive developments in the area of ​​nature conservation, especially with regard to the threat posed by the loss of natural habitats and the necessary protective measures for amphibian species such as the yellow-bellied toad.