EDP Foz-Tua: Amphibians (nocturnal transects): Ecological Monitoring Program [2012-2016]

Study Extent

The data were collected within a 5-km buffer around the Tua lower valley (Northeast Portugal), up to 45 km from the mouth and in Ferradosa stream (Douro sub-basin), in the municipalities of Carrazeda de Ansiães, Vila Flor, Alijó and Mirandela.

Sampling

Sampling was designed to cover potential areas of nocturnal occurrence of amphibians (roads, tracks) in and around the lower Tua valley affected by the Foz-Tua dam, including the reservoir area. A representative sample of transects was set up at a gradient of distance from the river mouth (in the reservoir, in a close control area (i.e., in the Tua, upstream the reservoir) and in a distant control area (outside the Tua valley). Each transect was visited once autumn (November) of 2012 to 2016. The transects were performed by car at a constant speed of 20km/h whenever the appropriate conditions (rainy nights or nights with high air and soil relative humidity) were present. Artificial light devices (torches and bulbs) were used to help detect individuals. For each observation, the species identity, number of individuals, development phase/state and, if possible, where possible, the sex, were recorded

Quality Control

All identifications were performed by qualified technicians

Method steps

1. To be completed

The taxonomic coverage of this dataset spans 1 phylum, 1 class, 2 orders, 4 families, 6 genus and 7 species.

1. Amphibia
   rank: class
2. Anura
   rank: order
3. Caudata
   rank: order
4. Alytidae
   rank: family
5. Bufonidae
   rank: family
6. Ranidae
   rank: family
7. Salamandridae
   rank: family

The data were collected within a 5-km buffer around the valley of the River Tua (Northeast Portugal), up to 45 km from the mouth, in the municipalities of Carrazeda de Ansiães, Alijó, Vila Flor and Mirandela.