RESTORING HABITATS OF ENDANGERED AMPHIBIANS

Estonian Fund for Nature (ELF) is NGO dedicated to nature conservation. Its mission is to preserve endangered species and their habitats, natural landscapes and natural associations typical of Estonia. ELF has organized yearly nature conservation holidays where volunteers, participants and group managers work together in order to improve the living conditions of a certain species (i.e. natter jack toad, black stork) or maintain semi-natural communities. You can read more on http://elfond.ee/en and see photos of volunteering camps 2019 and 2020: http://www.talgud.ee/galerii/2019 , http://www.talgud.ee/galerii/2020 The aim of this camp is restoring the habitats of endangered amphibian the common spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus) in the Eastern part of Estonia. Lohusuu village is located on the border area of two interesting regions both of which have a Russian-speaking majority. The first one is East-Viru County, where oil shale mines, towns from the Soviet era, and industrial landscapes intertwine with a huge forestry region – Alutaguse National Park. The latter is the last refuge to the Estonian population of the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans). The second is the coastline of Lake Peipus – the 4th largest lake in Europe – which comprises picturesque small towns and fishermen villages. The coastal area is the home to Russian Old Believers, who emigrated here many centuries ago to find shelter from religious prosecution. Their traditional dishes, including smoked fish, and onions are worth tasting! The common spadefoot is the amphibian is nocturnal and spends its days digging deep in the surface. Therefore, the spadefoot prefers habitats where the soil is grainy, for example, vegetable gardens and sandy areas. The toad emerges at night to feast on invertebrates such as spiders, ants, and beetles. Its tadpoles are the biggest in Estonia and can grow up to 13 cm long! The number of spadefoot toads in Estonia has decreased rapidly during the last 10 years. The main reason behind this is the loss of habitats as modern agriculture with large fields and pastures supersede the mosaic landscape needed by these amphibians. The volunteers can help out by restoring habitats, mainly cutting brushwood and removing vegetation to increase the area of open sand. See pictures of previous camps: https://www.talgud.ee/talgud/tehtavad-tood/mudakonn