Animal life
Moor frog / Rana arvalis (the Habitat Directive, appendix IV)
The specie is found in both biogeographic regions. In Denmark the specie is found nearly throughout the entire country, but has rapidly decreased during the past few years with exception of the coastal areas in the western and northern Jutland and northern Zealand. The moor frog is disappearing from the Danish agricultural districts. The reason this specie is considered a target specie is because it is quick to increase breeding activity, given it is still found in the area, when preservation activities are accomplished in the endangered moist, light-open habitats.
Great crested newt / Triturus cristatus (the Habitat Directive, appendix II and IV)
The specie is found in both biogeographic regions and is widespread in Denmark. A thorough nationwide study in the 1940’s showed the presence of the great crested newt in more than 10.000 waterholes, but its extension has decreased since then. The waterholes were revisited during the atlas registration in the period between 1976 and 1986. The results from the atlas study showed that the number of waterholes inhabited by the specie had decreased – with an average of 50 % over 40 years (from 1946 to 1976-1986). This tendency has continued. It is estimated that about 80 % of the Danish population of the specie is found in agricultural districts and 20 % in semi-natural and natural landscapes or woods. The preservation status of the specie is unknown.
Water beetle / Graphoderus bilineatus (the Habitat Directive, appendix II and IV)
The specie is only found in the continental biogeographical region of Denmark, where its preservation status is unfavorable. Earlier it was present in several areas of Denmark, but in the past 10 years they have only been found in three places. The effort in the nature area Vaserne is meant to secure the specie in one of these areas and with further effort around Mølleå the goal is to increase the possible breeding areas for the specie.
Large white-faced darter / Leucorrhinia pectoralis (the Habitat Directive, appendix II and IV)
The specie is only found in the eastern Denmark, where its preservation status is unfavorable. The specie has always been rare in Denmark, but has decreased through the past 100 years. After the setback in the twentieth century it is only found in a few lakes and waterholes in Zealand and Falster and it is unknown if the specie is still present in a single locality in central Jutland. Nutrient load and overgrowing in lakes threaten the last breeding sites for the specie. The newly ended LIFE-project Dragonfly (reference: http://www.amphi-consult.dk/index.php/internationale-life-projekter/135-dragonlife) contributed to securing most of the places the specie inhabits. With this project’s effort in Vaserne we complete the contribution to this specie in Denmark.
Faktabox:
The Habitat Directive’s appendix II and IV.
Species listed in appendix IV is of communal significance, meaning that: farming and forestry must orchestrate their activities in order not to compromise the species’ conditions of life; there is a prohibition against destroying breeding and resting areas; the animals or their eggs must not be collected; the authorities must make sure not to allow or plan activities that might cause harm to breeding or resting areas.
Species listed in appendix II demands such thorough protection that habitat areas (Natura 2000) have been selected, where special consideration must be taken and no interference that compromises the spreading of the species is allowed.
The biogeographic regions of Denmark
A biogeographic region is an area with similarities in climate, altitude and geology which thereby provide uniform conditions for habitats and species. Denmark is split into two biogeographic regions. The Atlantic biogeographic region is characterized by mild winters, chilly summers, an even distribution of precipitation all year and delayed seasons (the ocean needs time to warm up in summer and cool down in winter). The continental biogeographic region is characterized by chilly winters and hot summers, greater variation of temperature throughout the day and rapid change between warm and chilly weather. In Denmark the dividing line between the two regions runs down through Jutland.