Atlases and Citizen Science

The data collection for the realisation of the new ‘Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Trentino’ by our Department has officially started!

The main purpose is to update the check list and distribution of the species of Amphibians and Reptiles present in Trento province, almost twenty years after the last publication. The results, based on at least three years of data collection, will help to evaluate the conservation status of these species at a local scale and contribute to the new Italian Herpetological Atlas by the Societas Herpetologica Italica (SHI) and the knowledge on Natura 2000 network.

However, this task is quite demanding: the provincial territory is vast, the favourable months to observe amphibians and reptiles are limited and our Department counts on a restricted number of field researchers for this activity. That’s why we need the help of anyone who is willing to contribute to the Atlas project.

Are you wondering how to participate to the project? Well, it is very easy. You just need to take a picture of any amphibian or reptile you observe (alive or dead) complete of GPS coordinates (when it is not possible, the precise location will be enough), either with your smartphone or your camera. Then you will share with us your pictures by choosing one of the following options:

• by sending an e-mail to anfibi.rettili@muse.it
• by sending a private message on the Facebook page com/RettiliAnfibiTrentinoAltoAdige
• by uploading the picture/s on the citizen science on-line platform http://www.inaturalist.org/

For any further information don’t hesitate to contact us at anfibi.rettili@muse.it