Singing frogs

Singing frogs

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“Once upon a time in the stream of Mavroudi you could hear frogs singing” said the Mayor of the Municipality of Ios, Mr. Gikas, at the launch event of the Mediterranean REsilient inSular Ephemeral sTreams (Med-RESET) project in September 2023, in the presence of 36 local community members. “I wish to hear the frogs again soon“, were his closing words.

Grigoris Koutropoulos of Boulouki during his presentation at the launch event of Med-RESET in Ios last September. © Miranda Vatikioti / MedINA

 

Mr. Gkikas, Mayor of Ios municipality, during his presentation at the launch event of Med-RESET on Ios last September. © Grigoris Koutropoulos / Boulouki

Several pivotal actions have transpired following the launch of the project, establishing the groundwork for making the mayor’s wish a reality. During spring, Med-Reset’s team orchestrated primary field data collection. Fieldwork activities were exclusively devoted to gathering baseline data, facilitating comprehension of the ecological composition of the target ecosystem, and evaluating the efficacy of stone weirs in conserving and augmenting populations of crucial species such as amphibians and reptiles inhabiting Mavroudi stream.

The Balkan frog, Pelophylax kurtmuelleri, characteristic specie of freshwater ecosystems found in mainland and insular Greece, including the island of Ios, where, according to experts, are on the brink of extinction. ©Elias Tzoras / MedINA

We consulted the project’s herpetologist, Elias Tzoras, to forecast the potential effects of the stone-built weirs on the conservation of the two amphibian species found in Ios, namely the Balkan frog and the European green toad. EliasnTzoras remarked, “These species are already inhabitants of Ios and confront significant challenges arising from human activities and climate change. With their populations teetering on the edge of extinction, the project’s aims could play a pivotal role in determining their future. The revival of the frog’s melodious chorus is not beyond the realm of possibility—we simply need to be present to witness it“.

Ephedra foeminea, a characteristic Gymnosperm that is abundant in the study areas and is locally used in traditional medicine. © Grigoris Koutropoulos / Boulouki

The project Med-RESET benefits from the support of the Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE). The project is co-funded by the Municipality of Ios and implemented under the coordination of MedINA in collaboration with Boulouki, Save Ios and WWF Hellas.

Featured image: The European green toad, Bufotes viridis, characteristic specie of freshwater ecosystems found in mainland and insular Greece, including the island of Ios, where, according to experts, are on the brink of extinction. ©Elias Tzoras / MedINA.