Why Toads Frogs And Newts Need Our Help
The amphibian population of the United Kingdom is in critical decline and faces long term survival challenges of almost overwhelming proportions. The main reasons for this fall being pollution, disease and habitat deprivation. Numerous experts agree that unless something significant is done we could see the loss of these amazing animals in our life-time.
When i think myself back to my childhood days I recollect many a fine day as a boy with my friends at the local ponds or the brook, endless summer daytimes catching frogs and newts and sticklebacks (we always let them go!). It was a terrific childhood.
A few years ago I travelled back to the region I grew up in, in that location is now a car park where those fantastic old pools were. The brook is fouled and looked stagnant and devoid of life. These days in our over-developed urban areas such habitats are getting rarer and rarer.
The complete number of habitats lost to development has been catastrophic and never-ending. The development of many wetland sites has been checked when discovered to be home to natterjack toads or great-crested newts, our 2 rarest amphibians.
There was a well publicized instance lately where a colony of great-crested newts was relocated, at a tremendous expense, to make way for a new runway at Manchester Airport.
Only countless thousands of ponds and waterways in the UK who did not benefit from the presence of either of these two occupants have already been developed, truly grim amounts of Newts, toads and frogs wiped out and the huge biodiversity of plants, animals and insects that lived there wiped out too.
As if this is not enough to deal with, the peril of dangerous viral contagions wont go away. Already we have experienced critical epidemics of Ranavirus in our frog populations in the south east of England. A non-native amphibian species is thought to have brought Ranavirus into the United Kingdom, most likely from North America.There is no cure at present. All three species of newt and the common toad are likewise at risk from infection.
Fortunately, the developing popularity of natural gardening techniques and practices offers a glimmer of hope in the fight for the future of these unreplaceable and charming animals. Although there is no defence against the Ranavirus, anyone could effectively and easily add to the amount of viable habitat they have got. Easy to create and manage, a wildlife pool will beguile and educate all ages, and it can look pretty amazing besides!
Even the most small-scale, basic pool could be a treasure trove, plentiful in biodiversity and of interest all year round. Therefore make time for a bit of nature in your life, your kids lives. Go in the garden in the fresh air and start creating!
Mark Best writes articles that help people to design and build the Perfect garden Pond for them. And how to choose the right equipment, such as the right Garden Pond Filter for your needs.