The low rainfall in recent years has not only greatly reduced the number of amphibians in Brandenburg, but also many species of reptiles. Although most stocks were already threatened before 1989, there were only severe slumps due to the drought years after 2019, the Ministry of the Environment in Potsdam said in response to a request from the AfD parliamentary group.

Since then, this has applied to all amphibian species. In order to secure their stocks, there are protection projects for various species of reptiles and amphibians. These included the European pond turtle, green lizard, adder and various amphibian species.

Only recently had the nature watch and the nature conservation association (Nabu) sounded the alarm in Brandenburg because of the decline in amphibian numbers.

Between 2014 and 2018, the nature watch rangers would have counted around 39,000 animals on the 33 protective fences, in 2021 only 13,500. The Nabu spoke of a decline in amphibian populations by 60 to 100 percent.

According to the ministry, the stocks of green toads, natterjack toads, fire-bellied toads, common frogs, small water frogs and adders have declined significantly. From 1990 to 2019 there were still positive trends in the green lizard and the European pond turtle.

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According to the ministry, protective measures were decisive for this. During this time, “positive trends in phases” were also registered for the smooth newt, spadefoot toad, tree frog and moor frog species, as well as for the sand lizard.