Productivity • Invertebrates • Birds
Fish • Amphibians • Mammals

Amphibians

Of the six native species of amphibians in the UK , the most threatened (the natterjack toad) is found in close association with saltmarshes. Of the 49 extant colonies of natterjacks in the UK, 16 are found on saltmarshes on the Irish sea coast of north west England and south west Scotland. Features of saltmarsh important to natterjacks include heavy grazing by livestock, the presence of ephemeral pools which desiccate rapidly and a pattern of tidal inundation which permits low salinity holding pools to develop in early summer, coinciding with the natterjack breeding season.

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for the natterjack toad can be accessed here.