New pond biotopes on the Danube Island provide a habitat for amphibians

In April 2021 a second larger pond was completed under the auspices of the EU LIFE DICCA project, hidden away on a near-natural stretch of the Danube riverbank between Brigittenau Bridge and Reichsbrücke bridge. A small pond biotope for Triops crustaceans was already created on the grassy area next to the Inselinfo service centre back in spring 2019.

With a surface area of around 100 square metres planted with typical native pond vegetation, the new water feature helps to preserve and improve biodiversity on the Danube Island.

Willow saplings have been planted beside the pond, together with water lilies in the pond itself and wetland plant species such as bulrushes, purple loosestrife and bur-reed around the margins. Wildflower species native to the Danube Island have been planted on the embankments, including Carthusian pink, sage, mullein and evening primrose.

A refuge for animals and plants

The new pond was deliberately sited on a hidden near-natural stretch of riverbank on the Danube Island. If you would like to take a peek at the pond, please be respectful of the plants and animals that live there! We hope that the new pond will soon be colonised by agile frogs, common water frogs and smooth newts.

Appeal to all visitors

• Please refrain from releasing any other animals into the pond, especially ornamental fish such as goldfish or other non-native species!
• Please keep your dog out of the pond!
• Please take care not to trample on the plants!

Climate change is causing ponds to dry out

When the Danube Island was landscaped in the 1970s and 1980s, a number of oxbow lakes formed by the Danube, such as Tote Grund (German), were preserved and numerous smaller ponds artificially created. These bodies of water subsequently evolved into valuable habitats for rare animal and plant species. Amphibians, in particular, need these pond biotopes for spawning.

Smaller ponds on the Danube Island are in danger of drying out as a result of climate change. Under the auspices of its EU LIFE DICCA project, Municipal Department 45 - Water Management (MA 45) has responded to this by creating new pond biotopes on the island and revitalising existing ones that are in danger of drying out.