Limnological and vegetation monitoring in the newly-built ponds in Baix Ter reveals its effectiveness in recovering fluvial herpetofauna populations

Bescanó
Sant Gregori
Flaçà
Anglès
10/07/2017

Since the creation of the first micro-wetlands in Anglès, Bescanó and Sant Gregori (SECTION A) to recover populations of European Pond Turtle in the Ter River and other reptiles and amphibians, since spring 2015, periodic limnological and vegetation monitoring have been done. These monitoring have been made both in these places, as in those created the following year in Flaçà (SECTION B).

Limnological monitoring consists in the measurement of various physical and chemical variables of water (level, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and salinity). The vegetation implanted in the micro wetlands is also monitored.

In those of the SECTION A it has been found that immediately several species such as Apium sp. and Carex sp., have grown up, which are species that are typical of wet environments, and that after a year they were still present, as well as Chara sp. In the last sampling carried out, this year, we have seen the complete development of vegetation around the micro wetland, as well as Lemna on most of the ponds. The small ponds made in Anglès have been flooded less than those of other sections, so they are dry most of the time. However, in 2016 there were some adjustments to allow them to increase the available water in some of the small wetland areas.

In the ponds of all sections, A and B, the presence and reproduction of amphibians has been established. And in those of section B, also European Pond Turtles have colonized the areas. European Pond Turtles have not been released in the ponds of section A, but in areas close to them.

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