The Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group (UNCG) has established new plots for monitoring amphibians and reptiles at the Hlyboki Balyky Ecocenter, located in the Rzhyshchiv community of the Kyiv region.
The UNCG is among the first organizations in Ukraine to use a monitoring method widely popular in the Czech Republic, where it’s used to study species like the forest snake (Elaphe longissima). While the forest snake isn’t present in the Rzhyshchiv community, another member of the colubrid family, the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), is found there. This species is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, making its study a valuable conservation effort.
How the Monitoring Method Works
This method involves placing a number of artificial shelters made of special film. At the Hlyboki Balyky site, we have installed ten such shelters in various locations: in the sun, under bushes, on grass, and under trees. Underneath each shelter, we’ve placed a base layer of materials like sod, slate, or stones to create an attractive habitat for amphibians and reptiles.
Students will check these shelters monthly for several years. This long-term monitoring will help us understand the population size and presence of the target species.
This specific method has not been used in Ukraine before. We are hopeful that our efforts will be successful and that we’ll soon be able to share videos showing the young specialists discovering what lives under these shelters.
