The main objective of the project is the long-term conservation of the current high level occurance of the strictly protected amphibian species midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans) and natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) for the entire duration of the filling operation in the Malapertus quarry in Wetzlar.

The first step of an active population management process should be to optimise the areas of the quarry which will remain unfilled (the refuge). These areas act as a refuge for the species which needed to be protected. Furthermore the maintenance of these habitats is essential for the protection of these two species during the filling process.

The second step should be to relocate the individuals of the protected species, from the areas which will be filled, to the suitable habitats in the refuge area in the quarry. For this purpose, several relocation methods will be used and evaluated.

The results of these different methods may give recommendations for any future recultivation projects of the company.