Herpetofauna of the opencast mines in Lower Silesia (Poland)

Monika Wirga,Tomasz Majtyka

doi:10.3161/00159301ff2015.58.1.065

Abstract

Herpetofauna of opencast mines is poorly known and no comprehensive research has been previously carried out in this field. On the example of Lower Silesia this study aims to investigate this fauna. Observations, conducted in 22 different opencast mines in the eastern, lowland part of Lower Silesia (SW Poland), resulted in identification of a total of 19 species (14 amphibian species and 5 reptile species). No differences in the species composition, taking into account the exploited minerals, were found but the herpetofauna differ slightly after dividing the opencast mines into sandpits and quarries. Some species were recorded exclusively either in sandpits or in quarries. We also found statistically significant differences in the composition of herpetofauna and separately amphibian species as taking into account the status of exploitation of opencast mines. One species occurred primarily in exploited mines and four only in abandoned ones. No statistical differences between the number of species in exploited, recently abandoned and long since abandoned opencast mines.

Highlights

Region of Lower Silesia is the most abundant in diverse minerals in Poland, which results in a large number of opencast mines in this area (Lorenc & Mazurek 2010)
We found 14 amphibian species: Ichthyosaura alpestris (Laur.), Lissotriton vulgaris (L.), Triturus cristatus (Laur.), Bombina bombina (L.), Pelobates fuscus (Laur.), Bufo bufo (L.), Bufotes viridis (Laur.), Epidalea calamita (Laur.), Hyla arborea (L.), Pelophylax kl. esculentus (L.), Pelophylax lessonae (Cam.), Pelophylax ridibundus (Pall.), Rana arvalis Nilss., and Rana temporaria L., and 5 reptile species: Anguis fragilis L., Lacerta agilis L., Podarcis muralis (Laur.), Coronella austriaca Laur., and Natrix natrix (L.)
Explanations: Status of land use: E – exploited, RA – recently abandoned, LA – long since abandoned; Abbreviations used for species: Tc – Triturus cristatus, Lv – Lissotriton vulgaris, Ia – Ichthyosaura alpestris, Bob

Summary

Introduction

Region of Lower Silesia is the most abundant in diverse minerals in Poland, which results in a large number of opencast mines in this area (Lorenc & Mazurek 2010). Opencast mines display high natural values, in terms of geodiversity or mineralogical and petrographic abundance, they are habitats of invaluable biocoenoses (Badora et al 2003). Their landscape, originating from exploitation, in time begins to form microhabitats with conditions (temperature, insolation, humidity, wind action) differing from the surrounding areas not associated with mineral recovery. Opencast mines may become more or less attractive to particular species of plants (Czortek 2011) and animals (Majgier et al 2010). This process leads to development of a specific flora and fauna, including herpetofauna

Objectives

Results

Conclusion