IMIS - Marine Research Groups

The data are collected for the project PINK (Permanente Inventarisatie van de Natuurreservaten aan de Kust), which was commissioned by the Agency for Nature and Forest in 2007. The project started with the aim of mapping the natural values on the coast in a more systematic way. A first 3-year phase (PINK I) ran from 2008 to 2010, in which the methodology was set up and an initial assessment was conducted. A second phase (PINK II) ran from 2012 to 2014, which was a continuation of the main components of PINK I, with special attention for invasive species and grasshoppers. A third phase (PINK III) is running from 2014 to 2018. This dataset contains mainly Amphibia occurrences observed during PINK I and PINK II.
Geographic coverage: Ponds in coastal areas in Flanders, Belgium.
Taxonomic coverage: Most of the species in this dataset are amphibians. The taxa focused upon are Triturus cristatus, Epidalea calamita and Hyla arborea. (EU annex IV species).
Sampling methods: The inventory of amphibians follows the guidelines of the pond inventory project coordinated by HYLA, LIKONA and INBO (Bauwens, 2006). Each pond was visited in three periods. During the first two periods, in April and May, pods are used. The visits consist of two fieldwork days: the first day, the pods are placed, the second day emptied and taken back. The content is emptied into a plastic bin filled with pool water so that species and gender of each of the captured specimen can be identified before release. The number of pods depends on the size of the pond. By default, three pods per pool are used. During each visit, we also look at the appearance of larvae or eggs and listened to any calling adults. The second day of the second visit also a scoop net was used to detect larvae. During the third visit in June, only the net is used. To get a good view of the occurrence of larvae, at least 1/3 of the surface of the pool should be sampled.
Study extent: Near the coastal and dunes of Belgium about 300 ponds and open waters could be found.
Quality Control: All records are validated by experts.
Purpose: The PINK data are collected in order to to map biodiversity values in nature reserves in coastal areas. This dataset contains the Amphibia subset.
Issues with the dataset can be reported here.
The publication of this dataset was supported by the INBO as part of the Flemish contribution to LifeWatch.