top of page

Unkenwannen in the Cham region

Realized:

2023

performed by:

Naturnetz Mittelland

In Switzerland, over 90% of wetland areas have been lost since 1850. In the Central Plateau in particular, wetlands of all types have been drained and dried out. The drying out has serious consequences for the inhabitants of the wetlands. Amphibians, among others, are suffering greatly from the loss of their spawning waters. Today, 70% of species are on the Red List and the decline of some species in the last 30 years is drastic.


In order to maintain and promote populations, it is therefore essential to create new wetlands and bodies of water. Since different amphibian species depend on different types of water, a variety of wetland and aquatic habitats are also needed. On agricultural land, the focus of amphibian conservation is on creating temporary water bodies. The yellow-bellied toad depends on such temporary ponds for reproduction. The species is now considered to be highly endangered in the canton of Zug, among other places.


One way to create such bodies of water inexpensively is to install pre-produced, waterproof tubs. In the canton of Zug, we have been able to install many such tubs in recent years. In order to optimize the process, the Naturnetz developed its own toad tub last year. The result is a light, robust, easy-to-install toad tub made of Eternit, with or without a drain.


This spring we were able to deliver and install 15 tubs developed by Naturnetz at four different locations for the canton of Zug. We were also able to install another 20 Naturnetz toad tubs for the Cham Habitat Landscape Association. The small ponds were created on suitable agricultural land owned by eight different farmers.


Through constructive cooperation with the canton of Zug, the Cham landscape habitat, farmers and motivated community service workers, 35 new small bodies of water were created in the Cham region. These are very valuable for the endangered amphibians and provide suitable spawning waters for the yellow-bellied toad.

bottom of page