Reptile, Amphibian & Fish Conservation Netherlands. The Netherlands

Transcription

1 Reptile, Amphibian & Fish Conservation Netherlands The Netherlands

2 Introduction to RAVON RAVON stands for Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation Netherlands. The RAVON Foundation is a non governmental organisation (NGO) with 1500 volunteers, more than 1000 contributors and 35 professional staff members with offices in Nijmegen and Amsterdam. We inform and educate, conserve species and their habitats, organise two national monitoring networks and collect distribution data for the conservation of reptiles, amphibians and fish in the Netherlands. We also give advice and carry out research for a wide range of clients. The contributors and volunteers support the conservation and research of reptiles, amphibians and fish. They collect distribution data and monitoring information, and carry out ecological field research. The staff members coordinate, guide, educate, inform, instruct and support the volunteers.

3 Aim and Scope RAVON s aim is to increase the number of sustainable populations of amphibians, reptiles and fish in the Netherlands via accumulated knowledge. This includes the conservation and restoration of its habitats. We are the largest research and knowledge centre concerning the conservation and research of reptiles, amphibians and fish in the Netherlands. The data collected in the national database by the volunteers provides the basis for advice and practical directives. RAVON co-ordinates and stimulates the volunteers work that contribute to the database and knowledge. The results of the complex field studies have been made visible in a new distribution atlas of Dutch amphibians and reptiles (2009), based on more than records. Work is also being put into more precise mapping of the distribution of freshwater fish species and into research of fish. The employees of RAVON initiate and carry out research for a great diversity of clients such as local and civil authorities, land managers and owners, water boards, and consultancies. RAVON co-ordinates national and provincial conservation plans, such as species-specific conservation plans for the common tree frog, common spadefoot, yellow-bellied toad and midwife toad. In addition, RAVON informs the public, produces educational material and runs field courses. Our helpdesk answers a wide range of everyday questions.

4 Research on Distribution RAVON collects distribution data of reptiles, amphibians and fish in the Netherlands. Our main sources of information are records collected by volunteers and research by staff members. These data are collected according to default methods for distribution research. The RAVON database also contains data which have been collected through the standard amphibians and reptiles monitoring methods and through data exchanges with other organisations. All data are checked for reliability before being recorded in the database. New applications for distribution data are being developed, and methods to guarantee quality are implemented in collaboration with other data- collecting organisations and with the National Authority for Data concerning Nature (GaN), an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV). The RAVON Foundation keeps a national database, storing observational data of reptiles, amphibians and fish (2009 > records). This database is used for making distribution maps, analyses and national and regional atlases. Furthermore, this knowledge allows us to provide specific advice regarding design and management of not only conservation sites, but urban and rural areas as well. Over the years the database has been consulted hundreds of times on matters of management, environmental planning and education. We welcome all observations of reptiles, amphibians and fish, both rare and common species! If you wish to add to the knowledge of distribution of reptiles, amphibians and fish in the Netherlands, you may do so by visiting our portals or www. flora-and-fauna.eu.

5 Monitoring Network The Monitoring Network, part of the RAVON Foundation, is responsible for the organisation of two national monitoring networks, which involve hundreds of volunteers. Both networks operate on a national level, participating in the Network Ecological Monitoring (NEM). The NEM includes other national flora and fauna networks. NEM networks receive financial support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Amphibian network Through the annual collection of data on the situation of salamanders, newts, toads and frogs in the Netherlands, we aim to gain insight into trends in populations and to detect what causes these trends. The amphibian monitoring focuses on the presence and condition of breeding waters and egg, larvae, juvenile and adult animal counting. All species seen and caught are registered. The amphibian network in particular monitors several Red List species (considered as near-threatened, vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered). The method used may be summarised as: first listen, next look, and then catch (if necessary). Plots are surveyed at least four times a year. Reptile network In order to obtain reliable information on population development, data collection over a period of time is required. To do this, part of a species population is systematically counted in a well-marked area (plot). Counting is done by means of a quantitative sample. In practice, this means visiting a plot and counting the various species and specimens that are found. Plot surveys are carried out repeatedly (7 times a year and for several years in a row) so that over a range of years population development can be followed. The process of repeated counting is called monitoring.

6 Conservation RAVON has a broad knowledge of everything regarding reptiles, amphibians and fish; including their ecology, distribution, and directives for habitat design and habitat management, as well as conservation of species in the Netherlands. We carry out research for and we give advice to: Our volunteers Institutions (ministries, provinces and the local government) Land managers and land owners Nature and environmental organisations Companies (e.g. consultancies) Examples of projects we are involved in include: Distribution surveys for amphibians, reptiles and fish, financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) Conservation aims and distribution limit analysis of Habitats Directive Areas for among others the great crested newt, financed by the Ministry of LNV Monitoring of fish populations in the large Dutch rivers with the use of a beam trawl and electrofishing to determine trends in fish populations. Herpetofauna-friendly management advice for the roadsides of the A1 and A50 motorways, financed by the Department of Public Works The Life Ambition Project. The aim of this project is to develop viable meta-populations of five amphibian species named on Annex II (and Annex IV) of the Habitats Directive (great crested newt, yellow-bellied toad, midwife toad, European treefrog and common spadefoot) Habitat restoration projects like Vipera connects and Oases of biodiversity. Many of the restoration sites are Natura 2000 sites. The project is also linked with the European Ponds Conservation Network (EPCN). National and regional conservation plans for Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Bombina variegate and Alytes obstetricans. Red List of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Netherlands

7 Research RAVON is commissioned to carry out research by a wide variety of organisations, such as the ministries, regional and local governments, water boards, universities, estate managers and private companies. This work is the responsibility of the staff, who provide advice based on which measures need to be taken. Examples of projects we are involved in include: Research of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in the Netherlands, a chytrid fungus that causes the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, with partner Gent University (Belgium). Research on e.g. Natterjack toad by radio transmitters to gather information about home ranges and dispersal patterns. Research on habitat types in the main stream and flood plains for juveniles of riverine fish species and suitability of nature development measures that provide aquatic habitats. National and International Network Whenever possible, RAVON works in partnership with other nature conservation organisations and collaborates with other data-collecting organisations. In the Netherlands such partnerships exist with: the Netherlands Society for research on Flora and Fauna (VOFF) and the Platform of Organisations for Conservation of Species (PSO), who are discussion partners for the government with regard to the conservation of species the Natuurplaza, a cooperation between several research NGO s and the Radboud University of Nijmegen RAVON also works together with universities and research institutes, provinces and municipalities, water authorities, local residents and sister organisations, both in the Netherlands and abroad in Europe, i.e. Societas Europaea Herpetologica (SEH) and the European Ponds Conservation Network.

8 Wish to support us? We appreciate your help! Please help our vital work by becoming a member of RAVON for as little as 20 a year. In return you will receive the Dutch RAVON magazine with English summaries four times a year and get discounts on the products in our web store. Please visit to sign up. It is also possible to make a single gift contribution. Transfer your gift to bank account , Stichting RAVON, Nijmegen, the Netherlands mentioning IBAN-Code: NL 37 PSTB BIC-Code/SWIFT-Code: PSTB NL21 and enter the word gift in the comment section. A sustainable and healthy natural environment is vital for life and for living and must be safeguarded. We promise to use your contributions wisely and effectively to support the research and conservation of reptiles, amphibians and fish in the Netherlands and Europe. Colophon Text RAVON Photography & Design Jelger Herder RAVON Post Office Box BK Nijmegen The Netherlands Visiting address: Office Nijmegen: Toernooiveld 1; 6525 ED Nijmegen Office Amsterdam: Mauritskade 57; 1092 AD Amsterdam info@ravon.nl