MSc Student
Advisor: Günter Gollmann

Unit for Theoretical Biology, Department of Evolutionary Biology
University of Vienna

Abstract

Amphibians are the most endangered group of vertebrates worldwide due to many
reasons, with the most impactful being habitat loss, as amphibians are bound to
terrestrial as well as aquatic habitats.
With the passage of the Habitats Directive by the EU in 1992, the establishment of
one coherent ecological network together with the Wild Birds Directive, namely
Natura 2000, was started to conserve and protect typical environments, or habitats,
for wild flora and fauna and particular species of plants and animals.
The floodplain forests of the Natura 2000 nature reserve “Traun-Donau-Auen” are of
great importance for the continued survival of many amphibian species in Upper
Austria. To recommend the most effective conservation measures, gathering data
about the current situation of the local amphibian fauna and their abundances as
well as evaluating important spawning sites is essential.
Since the latest survey dates from 2006, the goal of this Master’s thesis is to provide
an updated overview on the local amphibian fauna and compare it with former
studies from 1998 and 2006.
The methods that will be used to assess the abundance of each amphibian species
involve counting individuals on sight, their spawn, and males via their mating calls.
Additionally, it will be noted which waterbody contains larvae of the respective
species. Data will be collected from February until August.