Landschapsgebruik van de rugstreeppad in een intensief agrarisch landschap

The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, wants to develop a more pro-active nature conservation policy. In this framework, the province of Flevoland has suggested to develop a management plan for the natterjack toad. This management plan aims to tackle the problems that arise when species with a high conservation status, such as the natterjack toad, find their habitat in areas where human development is planned. For this management plan, it was necessary to gather more ecological information on the natterjack toad. In 2004 and 2005 the whole of Flevoland was searched for the presence of natterjack toads (van Rijsewijk, 2005). In 2006 we studied the activity range and dispersal distances of natterjack toads in the agricultural landscape of the Northeast Polder in Flevoland, and we calculated the relative resistance of the different landscape elements for their dispersal. A total of 15 adult toads (9 males and 6 females) were equipped with a transmitter. Their movements were followed near daily. Males and females covered similar distances; males covered on average 22 metres per day and the females 19 metres. Additionally the activity ranges between males and females did not differ significantly and measured on average 12.211 m2, nonetheless the variation between individuals was considerable. The toads preferred their reproduction water and its banks above all other vegetation types. Arable land was least preferred (e.g. highest resistance). Currently the situation for the natterjack toad in the Northeast Polder is not considered a viable one. An increase in the distribution and density of the natterjack toad in this region can be stimulated by improving, creating and maintaining both aquatic and terrestrial habitat.