Cooperation between LIFE IP Atlantic Region DE and Life B4B for breeding and restocking of Common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus) in Flanders

LIFE IP Atlantic Region DE  and Life B4B are joining forces to help the endangered Common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus). Both projects are working around breeding and releasing larvae of this rare amphibian.

On 16 April, German conservationists from the NABU Nature Conservation Station Münsterland brought egg strings of the Common spadefoot toad to the Research Center for Aquatic Fauna in Linkebeek. This research center is part of the Flemish Research Institute for Nature and Forests (INBO). There, the eggs will hatch and be reared into larvae and juveniles. These young toads will later be released at various locations in Flanders. These locations were improved with support of the previous integrated LIFE BNIP.

Purpose of the cooperation

The cooperation between LIFE IP Atlantic Region DE and Life Belgium for Biodiversity (LIFE B4B) aims to strengthen the Common spade foot population in Flanders through breeding and restocking.  The partners hope to increase the population and promote genetic diversity.

The common spadefoot toad is an Annex IV species from the Habitats Directive and needs to be strictly protected.  According to the six-yearly assessment of the 2013-2018 period, the conservation status of this species in the West-Atlantic region is bad. Pelobates fuscus is critically endangered by habitat loss and fragmentation in the western part of Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, France and Flanders (Figure: assessment).

Exchange of expertise

During the period 2012-2017, as part of the LIFE+ project "Protection of the common spadefoot toad in the Münsterland" (LIFE11 NAT/DE/000348), measures were carried out to optimise the spawning waters and terrestrial habitats of the spadefood toad in the Münsterland region. Under coordination of Dr Christian Göcking and Norbert Menke from the NABU Nature Conservation Station Münsterland, rescue/conservation breeding has started in the open field nursery of Ennigerloh to secure the remaining genetic diversity. Next, larvae of the common spadefoot were reintroduced/resettled to ensure the permanent and independent viability of the species. Since October 2016 these activities have been continued and expanded to the Atlantic region in North Rhine-Westphalia by the LIFE integrated project "Atlantic Region DE" which runs until 2026.  Meanwhile, the German conservationists already have extensive experience in breeding the species in captivity. This makes it possible that the German partner can support the Belgian partners in their Life B4B-project: the breeding program of Common spadefoot.

A genetic study, done by the Research Institute for Nature and Forests, showed indeed that genetic diversity in the Flemish populations is low and that the different Common spadefoot populations in the West Atlantic region belong to the same genetic cluster. That is, toads in Germany, the Netherlands, France and in Flanders are genetically related. Mixing of Flemish populations with Dutch Common spadefoot toads has happened since 2023. From 2024, we also want to add genetic material from German populations.  As part of Life B4B Flemish egg strings will be reared at the Research Center for Aquatic Fauna and the larvae will be released mixed with larvae from the Netherlands and Germany in suitable areas.

The German and Flemish partners will share their expertise on breeding and population stocking of the Common spadefoot toad. The Flemish partners know the local conditions in Flanders and know where the toads can best be released. 

An important step forward

The cooperation between LIFE IP Atlantic Region DE and Life B4B is an important step forward in the protection of the common spadefoot toad in Flanders. The partners hope that joint efforts will lead to a sustainable population of this unique species.

More information

• LIFE IP Atlantic Region DE: https://www.sandlandschaften.de/
• Life B4B: https://www.lifeb4b.be/ 
• Common spadefoot: https://www.ecopedia.be/dieren/knoflookpad 

Contact:

• LIFE IP Atlantic Region DE: Dr. Sebastian Schmidt, sebastian.schmidt@bezreg-muenster.nrw.de 
• Life B4B: Tom Andries, tom.andries@vlaanderen.be 
• Research Institute for Nature and Forests: Jeroen Speybroeck, jeroen.speybroeck@inbo.be

Picture left

From left to right: 
Research Institute for Nature and Forests (INBO): Johan Auwerx, Jeroen Speybroeck, Loïc van Doorn. 
NABU-Münsterland (Life IP Atlantic region DE): Christian Göcking. 
Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB): Tom Andries, Lily Gora (Life B4B).