Moor Frog Island near Alt Negentin
Protection of amphibians on arable land rich in small water bodies
In implementation
The currently existing amphibian populations (especially moor frogs, spadefoot toads and green frogs) are to be secured and their population promoted. In addition, habitats for other amphibians (e.g. tree frogs) should be created. Other species groups such as reptiles, insects, birds and wild herbs also benefit from the protection zones to be established.
1.74 Hectar 
Service contract 
171,00€ Über das Projekt
Initial situation
The project area is located on a productive arable field with a large number of small bodies of water. From late summer 2018 to 2021, three sub-areas (three "moor frog islands") with a total size of 5 ha were taken out of use to protect amphibians. These areas comprise a total of three temporary small bodies of water with very different structures and three copses. Spawning waters, summer habitats and hibernation structures for amphibians could be linked together in this way. Wild herbs were also sown in the protected areas to encourage wild bees. These measures were financed by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) as part of the "Greifswald Agricultural Initiative" model project.
We would also like to continue this measure in the long term, at least in part of the area. As part of this offer, we are seeking funding for the 1.7-hectare buffer zone, which connects a dry, tree-covered field with another small body of water and is reminiscent of a "Yin Yang" in its shape (see cover photo). In spring 2019, we were able to detect the presence of moor frogs here. We are also trying to finance further sub-areas via AgoraNatura.
Why here?
The municipality of Dargelin, where the project area is located, is characterised by its high occurrence of "Feldsöllen" (hollow forms shaped by the ice age and temporarily carrying water) and thus offers important habitats for endangered plant species, dragonflies, water beetles and amphibians. With about 100 field hollows and other small water bodies per square kilometre, Dargelin is one of the most structurally rich agricultural landscapes in the Greifswald hinterland. The potential for supporting endangered amphibian populations is accordingly high. In spring 2019 and 2020, the occurrence of moor frogs, spadefoot toads and green frogs has already been confirmed on the project areas. The song of tree frogs can also be heard in the surrounding area in late spring.
What would happen without the project?
Without the project, regular conventional farming would be practised again on the current conservation areas. Without a financial reward, the farmer who cultivates the land cannot do without the very productive land.
Amphibians present on the farmland at the time of cultivation are exposed to a high risk of injury or death due to tillage as well as the application of mineral fertilisers and pesticides. This weakens the current amphibian populations.
Concrete measures
- no land cultivation on an area of 1.74 ha, i.e. no soil cultivation, no application of plant protection products and no fertilisers.
- Maintain the areas by mulching once a year in late autumn (from 15 October). By this time, the amphibians have already retreated to their winter quarters and can no longer be harmed.
- Flower-rich development of the areas; if necessary reseeding with a regio-certified flower mixture (in this case soil cultivation is necessary)
A long-term continuation and further financing of the project beyond the first one-year project phase is aimed for. In order to maintain the status of arable land, ploughing up of the area (or parts of it) is possible in some years as an exception. The most favourable time for this will be agreed with the project's nature conservation contact persons.
Protected species
The moor frog (Rana arvalis) is a typical amphibian species in north-western Germany. A special attraction is the intense blue colouration of the males during the mating season. Due to a loss of wetlands and sufficient refuges in the agricultural landscape, its population is endangered in many regions. Like most native amphibian species, it is on the Red List throughout Germany. In Western Pomerania, moor frogs are fortunately still relatively common in the agricultural landscape. We want to work to ensure that moor frogs and other amphibians find sufficient habitats in our region in the long term.
You invest in the following ecosystem services:
- Moor frogs
- Spadefoot toads (both endangered according to the Red List of Germany and MV)
- Pond frogs (endangered according to the MV Red List)
- Tree frogs (endangered according to Red List Germany and MV)
- Insects
- Reptiles
- Field birds
- Old pollarded willow, other woody plants, deadwood and reading stone piles at the edge of the temporary small water bodies provide nesting and retreat opportunities for numerous animal species
Seeding of selected wild herbs 7 species, wild cherries (Prunus avium) 12 pieces and spontaneous vegetation
Colour variety yellow, red, white, pinkCamomile (Anthemis tinctoria), Daisy (Leucanthemum spec.), Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Incarna clover (Trifolium incarnatum), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Special habitat structures- Deadwood (e.g. on old fence posts and pollarded willows)
- Fallow land with grass felt, mouse tunnels and pithy stems
- Cairn
No use of insecticides
- Myosurus minimus (Small mouse tail)
- Papaver argemone (sand poppy)
- Veronica hederifolia (Ivy Speedwell)
- Valuable arable wild herbs, HNV species Arable land/fallow land
Per certificate: 0.3 - 0.6 kg N Ground water services (estimation/literature based value)
Total project: 52.2 - 104 kg N Ground water services (estimation/literature based value)
So everyone can experience the ecosystem service
- Pictures of the project are published annually on the online marketplace AgoraNatura.
- The area can be visited after arranging with the land user.
The municipality of Dargelin is hardly developed for tourism. The beautiful landscape and roads with very little traffic are inviting for cycling tours, among other things. The moor frog islands near Alt Negentin are located in the middle of a field and are therefore not accessible to the general public. This makes the experience of listening to the sounds of nature in the evening hours, far away from the paths, all the greater. This is what we want to convey to our investors when we invite them to visit the project area.
Land user offering the project
Involved in the project
Ringenberg Farm
Biodiversity in the agricultural landscape needs our attention. With Agora Natura, we have found a platform through which farmers and nature conservation representatives, together with interested companies and private individuals, can participate in this process and enter into dialogue with each other. Together for nature!
Family-owned business
Others involved in the project
Dr Nathalie Soethe
Office for Nature Conservation and Landscape Management County of Vorpommern-Greifswald
Christian Hildebrandt
Documentation in the implementation phase
The project starts on 01.01.2022 and exactly goes 1year , provided all certificates have been sold.
You will be regularly informed about the progress of the project. For this purpose, the providers can provide short news, picture or audio material. The providers are obliged to report at least once a year whether everything went well with the implementation. If there are difficulties from your point of view, please contact us, the provider itself or the certification body.
