Herpetological data collection using volunteers’ photos in the Carpathian Basin: preliminary results
Abstract
An important challenge in volunteer-based nature conservation surveys is to minimise mistakes in species determination. In May 2011 the Toad Action Group and the Locomotiv Tourist Association launched a photo collection to map the herpetofauna of the Carpathian Basin, which also popularise these taxa. Species identification was made by specialists. In the first phase of the programme nearly 100 volunteers sent in 515 photos on 28 species, the most active volunteer sent in 108 pictures. Most pictures had been taken on the Pelophylax esculentus complex and Lacerta viridis. The frequencies of species on the photos did not correlate with the size of distribution areas and the known national frequencies of species but their presence along popular tourist tracks, diurnal life strategy and conspicuous dorsal pattern. The photographs revealed special colour morphs, deformities, predatory and interspecific relationships, too.
References
Dely, O. Gy. (1966): Angaben über die Verbreitung des Feuersalamanders (Salamandra salamandra L.) im Karpatenbecken. – Vertebrata Hungarica VIII(1–2): 69–88.
Kiesecker, J. M., Blaustein, A. R. & Belden, L. K. (2001): Complex causes of amphibian population declines. – Nature 410: 681–684.
Mossman, M. J., Hartman, L. M., Hay, R. H., Sauer, J. R. & Dhuey, B. J. (1998): Monitoring long-term trends in Wisconsin frog and toad populations. - In: Lannoo, M. J. (szerk.): Status and Conservation of Midwestern Amphibians. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City, IA. pp. 169–198.
Nyström, P., Hansson, J., Mansson, J., Sundstedt, M., Reslow, C. & Broström, A. (2007): A documented amphibian decline over 40 years: Possible causes and implications for species recovery. – Biological Conservation 138: 399–411.
Péchy, T. (2001): Segítsen nekünk Magyarország kétéltűinek és hüllőinek feltérképezésében! – Madártávlat VIII (2): 21.
Puky, M., Schád, P. & Szövényi, G. (2005): Magyarország herpetológiai atlasza/Herpetological atlas of Hungary. Varangy Akciócsoport Egyesület, Budapest.
Simon, E., Braun, M., Szabó, K., Molnár P. & Tóthmérész, B. (2007): Cink monitorozás Rana esculenta fajkomplex egyedeinek vizsgálatával. – Természetvédelmi Közlemények 13: 309–317.
Simon, E., Braun, M. & Tóthmérész, B. (2010): Non-destructive method of frog (Rana esculenta L.) skeleton elemental analysis used during environmental assessment. – Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 209: 467–471.
Weeber, R. C. & Vallianatos, M. (1999): The Marsh Monitoring Program. 1995 – 1999: Monitoring Great Lakes Wetlands and Their Amphibian and Bird Inhabitants. Bird Studies Canada, Port Rowan, Ontario, Canada.
