Inventering av vattensalamandrar i Gävleborgs län 2005

2 English summary
The two species of newts, Common newt (Triturus vulgaris) and Crested
newt (Triturus cristatus) that occur in Gävleborg County (Sweden) were
censused during the spring and summer 2005. The aim was to survey there
distribution pattern and contribute to the national conservation program for
the Crested newt.
Every second square in the national grid system, at longitudinal and latitudinal
direction (one fourth of the total number of squares) where examined.
1-3 potential reproduction sites were selected by GIS from each of the examined
squares. Breeding adults were censused at spring and larval at summer.
Visual observation at night (head lamp) and pet traps were the method
that was used.
Crested newt were found in 11 % of the examined squares and in 21 % of all
the squares where at least one potential reproduction site where found. Common
newt where found in 25% of the examined squares and in 42% of all
the squares where at least one potential reproduction site where found.
The census indicates that Crested newts are spread over most of the landscape
of Gästrikland (southern part of the County), and at the costal zone of
Hälsingland (northern part of the County). Hence the main Swedish distribution
goes further more to the north than what the literature suggests, since
the northern population in the County of Västernorrland probably not are an
isolated relict population. A few populations found in the interior of Hälsingland
(south of Los), seems to be isolated from the main distribution in the
rest of the county (survey information from neighbouring county is lacking).
Common newt was very common in the costal zone but infrequent in the
interior. The interior findings were not concentrated to any particular area,
but suggest a lacking in the south western part of Hälsingland.
For future preserving of the Crested newts in the County of Gävleborg,
habitat protection against exploitation and forestry is necessary. This protection
should even include potential breeding sites outside the censused areas.
Hence restrictions in forestry should include Gästrikland, the costal zone of
Hälsingland and parts of the interior of Hälsingland until more information
is availably. A detailed survey is proposed to develop fundaments for more
specified conservation strategies and monitoring programs.
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