Christian Arnanz

Findings highlight the value of traditional pastoral pathways in mitigating effects of agricultural intensification (e.g. waste discharging and cropping of ponds) showing how historical structures can serve ecological purposes, offering refuge and enhancing biodiversity! (8/8)

Nevertheless, despite their ecological value, continuity of watering sites along the CDR remains inssuficient... ❗️Adressing this gap is vital, both for declining amphibians and the endangered transhumance practice they depend on (7/8)

Thus, ensuring at least a minimum hydroperiod, encouraging sediment and macrophyte development, adding access ramps and bottom metal grids, and controlling invasive non-native species, could significantly improve the suitability of troughs for amphibians (6/8)

Ponds and the most naturalized troughs (minority of them) were identified as the most suitable habitats, supporting breeding amphibians. While pond creation and restoration should be prioritized, troughs still serve as complementary habitats and refuges if properly managed (5/8)

Results confirm that the CDR provides a significantly higher proportion of functional water bodies to the landscape compared to its surroundings, providing highly valuable refuges for amphibians against threats caused by land use intensification 🌾🚜 (4/8)

We also explored the influence of landscape (land use cover) and local (water body characteristics) variables on the occurrence of breeding amphibians -3⃣- within and outside the CDR (3/8)

We evaluated the conservation condition -1⃣- and contribution -2⃣- of the Conquense Drove Road (CDR) water bodies (troughs and ponds) to amphibian breeding assemblages at a landscape scale (2/8)

Graphical Abstract

🚨New Paper Alert🚨

I am excited to share our paper, which comes out of a collaboration with @LifeCanadas proyect!

Want to know how centuries-old transhumance helps amphibians? 🐸🐑

Download➡️ kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...

Thread with our main findings👇(1/8)