Mortality of Amphibians on the Roads of Lviv Region (Ukraine): Trend for the Last Decade

Abstract

Abstract 69 road sections with amphibian mortality known from 2006 in Lviv Region (Western Ukraine) were repeatedly surveyed in 2017. 2078 dead individuals of nine amphibian species were detected and identified on the road surface (Triturus cristatus, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Hyla orientalis, Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis, Pelophylax ridibundus and Pelophylax esculentus). The most numerous victims appeared to be B. bufo (72.8 %) and R. temporaria (22.6 %) which is almost the same as in 2006 (90.5 % together). However, the qualitative and quantitative composition has decreased in a decade (compare 3555 individuals of 13 amphibian species in 2006). As we suppose, the main reasons for amphibian population decline in the region are contamination, degradation and disappearance of the breeding ponds as well as the increased traffic intensity. According to the estimation of our research four B. bufo populations are under the excessive influence of roads and transportation, and need to be protected. One of these road sections was fenced up by temporary amphibian fences during the breeding migration (April 2018). Amphibian mortality on the fenced road section dropped down instantly: over thousand individuals of B. bufo and R. temporaria were caught alive into the bucket-traps and safely moved across the road.