Construction of an amphibian guidance facility at the L165 in Wangental near Jestetten

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With the construction of the system for an amphibian guidance facility, migratory amphibians can get past the barrier of the L165 at the German-Swiss border area in Wangental near Jestetten. The conservation status of the population was thereby ensured and the habitat situation considerably improved on-site. The amphibian guidance facility is constantly maintaining and improving biodiversity in Wangental and its cross-border environs. Landesstrasse L165, which continues on the Swiss side as Hauptstrasse 343.1, runs through an FFH (flora-fauna habitat) area as well as through nature protection areas. In the extensive forests east and north-east of Wangental, through which L165/ 343.1 runs, there are important groups of amphibians on the Swiss and German sides, including species from the FFH appendix IV (great crested newt and yellow-bellied toad). The creatures migrate to the waters of the “Wüster See” lake area west of the L165 to spawn, and they then return to their summer and winter habitats in the forests east/north-east of this road. The young creatures, which have developed in the spawning waters, also migrate to these forests. The amphibians have to cross the L165 for their outward and return migration, with the corresponding risk and losses. In past years mobile protection fences were put up by voluntary helpers and the amphibians were carried across the road in buckets. This reduced the accidental death of amphibians. This voluntary activity no longer exists, and has had to be replaced by other measures in light of the associated risk to the local conservationists from road traffic. To ensure the current conservation status of the existing habitats of amphibians in the long term, the construction of a permanent amphibian guidance facility with passages was required. A total of 20 passages were built under the L165 at intervals of 30 to 60 metres. A permanent guidance facility made of metal was also erected parallel to the road on both sides of the road; this guides the migrating amphibians to the passages. South of the L165, the guidance facility was continued about another 140 m (without crossings), and this also guides the migratory creatures back.

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