Emys orbicularis is distributed from Northwest Africa over most of Europe and Asia Minor to the Aral Sea in Central Asia. Lithuania and Latvia make up the north-eastern region of the distribution range of Emys orbicularis and Germany the north-western region. Nearly everywhere populations are declining, mainly due to anthropogenic habitat deterioration. Hence, conservation measures are in urgent need all over its range.

In Lithuania:
Emys orbicularis is a rare and threatened species in Lithuania. Most of the 30 known populations occur in the southern part of the country. In the first half of the 20th century the species was found dispersedly all over the country. The population has declined mainly due to a loss of suitable ponds and nesting sites. While meliorations and drainages have destroyed a lot of wetlands, overgrowth has reduced the number of available ponds and open slopes for nesting. First inventories (carried out from 2000 to 2004) in Lazdijai-district have indicated a decreasing number of suitable habitats due to the lack of necessary conditions. Without any habitat management Emys orbicularis would extinct in Lithuania in the next 50 years.

In Poland:
Emys orbicularis is an endangered species in Poland, primarily due to the draining of wetlands, flood control of rivers, and urbanisation of natural habitats. In Poland, Emys orbicularis is under full protection since 1935, but protection measures are insufficient. Detailed data are lacking, but Emys orbicularis was apparently much more abundant in the late 19th and 20th century. Since the Second World War intensive draining has been undertaken, and many of the turtle habitats have been degraded and the species become rare. At present, only one single large population exists in eastern Poland. This population is currently not critically endangered, but other populations are small, or in some cases, only consist of solitary individuals.

In Germany:
In Germany, Emys orbicularis is in danger to extinct. Populations collapsed or were wiped out by the end of the 18th century as a result of habitat changes (e.g. effects of succession), overexploitation for food, and fishing. New serious threats for the surviving relict populations in northeast Germany arise from changes in agricultural and forest utilization in the 20th century. Numerous water bodies and marshes were drained, and nesting sites were cultivated. Further ongoing causes of decline are fishery with creels, road traffic and a high abundance of potential predators. Only a few recent populations are confirmed in Brandenburg and South-Mecklenburg.

Bombina bombina is distributed in the European lowland from Eastern Ukraine and Bulgaria in South East to Denmark and Lithuanian-Latvian border in the northwest and north. Germany makes the western border. Nearly everywhere populations are declining, mainly due to anthropogenic habitat deterioration. Hence, conservation measures are in urgent need all over its range.

Triturus cristatus is distributed throughout the European lowland from Eastern Ukraine and Bulgaria in South and East to France in west and Finland and Sweden in north. Nearly everywhere populations are declining, mainly due to anthropogenic habitat deterioration, however the species seems not quite so vulnerable as Bombina bombina in the North European lowland.. Hence, conservation measures are in urgent need all over its range.