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Salty Seas Threaten Rare UK Toads
31 May
Summary
- Rising salt levels in water prevent natterjack toad embryo hatching.
- Smaller toad growth and altered development observed in saline conditions.
- Habitat restoration must address water salinity for toad survival.
Salty water is emerging as a critical threat to the recovery of the natterjack toad, one of the UK's rarest amphibians. A new study indicates that elevated salt levels in former breeding sites are rendering them unsuitable for toad survival, impacting hatching success and development.
Researchers found that some breeding ponds had salinity levels so high that no embryos survived to hatching. In less extreme cases, toad tadpoles were significantly smaller, reducing their chances of survival against predators. This finding underscores the need to incorporate water salinity management into restoration strategies for the natterjack toad.
Dr. Frances Orton of Heriot-Watt University led the research, which analyzed water samples from various sites along the Solway Coast in Scotland. The study suggests that while improving terrestrial habitats remains important, tackling water salinity is now paramount. Amphibians globally are the fastest-declining vertebrate group, and understanding factors like salinity is vital for protecting species like the natterjack toad from extinction.
