The temporal evolution of the distribution of the yellow-bellied sounder in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

The Yellow Belly Sounder (Bombina variegata) is a small anural amphibian (between 3 and 6 cm) easily recognizable by its black ventral stains on a yellow-orange background. Considered common in France at the beginning of the 20th century, today’s observations show that it has undergone, and is still undergoing, a rapid decline on a European scale. In Luxembourg, it is on the brink of extinction (last wild individuals reported in the late 1980s); in Germany, the species only survives by a few relict populations; in Austria and Italy, it is in pronounced decline. Also in France, it is reported in decline or even disappeared in many regions. Several causes are formulated, usually common to other amphibian species and mainly related to human activities: degradation or disappearance of wetlands, fragmentation of habitats, modification of practices... Paradoxally, the Yellow-bellied Sounder is strongly related to humans and its activities: forestry and agriculture mainly. This situation led the Ministry in charge of ecology to consider that it was a priority to carry out conservation actions of the Yellow-bellied Sounder. This is why a National Action Plan for this species has been drawn up for the period 2011-2015 and extended until 2018. In the balance sheet phase, it needs to be revised for the period 2019-2029. Considering that our region occupies a strategic place for this species (present in the 12 departments), the DREAL Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes entrusted in 2017 the realisation of a synthesis of the issues of the territory to CEN Auvergne and the LPO Rhône-Alpes, historical animators of the former regions. This synthesis proposes an inventory of the species that identifies the problems and threats against it and proposes the main strategic axes for its preservation.