Triturus cristatus formerly was considered to include four subspecies: T. cristatus cristatus; T. c. dobrogicus; T. c. karelinii; and T. c. carnifex. These are now recognised as separate species of the Triturus cristatus superspecies, and the specific name Triturus cristatus (sensu stricto) is attributed to the former nominative subspecies. The exact ranges of members of the Triturus cristatus superspecies are unclear in the central Balkans because of narrow or extensive areas of hybridisation.

European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

This species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category. However, multiple and high declines have been reported at regional and national scales (Denoël 2012) and this species is considered threatened in many European countries (Dufresnes and Perrin 2015), suggesting that a reassessment should be undertaken if current national-level population decline data become available.

This species is widely distributed from the United Kingdom and northern France, through southern Scandinavia, and central Europe, enters a small part of the Balkans (easternmost Serbia and a small part of northwestern Bulgaria), and spreads to the easternmost edge of the continent (European Russia). The presence of this species in Aggtelek region, north-eastern Hungary, was both morphologically and genetically proved, but mostly forms hybrid populations with Triturus dobrogicus (Vörös and Major 2007, Halpern et al. 2019). This species was recently recorded in Bulgaria (Tzankov and Stojanov 2008). It has an altitudinal range from sea level to 1,750 m asl. (Arnold 2003).

Beyond the European region, the species range extends to Asia, to the southwestern part of West Siberia (Kurganskaya Province).

Although the species is known to be declining or rare in parts of its distribution (Denoël 2012), it appears to remain relatively common in suitable habitats in some other parts of its range. However, population sizes are small in several parts of the range, particularly in geographic areas where declines have been highlighted (Denoël et al. 2013). Improved fiеld methods (aquatic funnel traps) of recent years can mask declines in the species. Some papers show declines in the species but there are few reliable assessments of the status (Cruickshank et al. 2016).

It can be found in coniferous, mixed and deciduous forests (composed of pine, birch, oak, alder etc.), their glades and edges, in forest steppe, bush lands, pastures, meadows, parks and gardens. In some parts of its range, it avoids ponds inside forests. It seems that higher amounts of deciduous forest and pasture, together with proximity to deciduous forest seem to be positive for the presence of Great Crested Newts, while coniferous forest and mire appear to have a negative effect on the habitat quality for the species (Gustafson et al. 2011). Reproduction takes place in permanent stagnant and in semi-flowing waters such as ponds, rarely lakes, flooded quarries, irrigation channels and ditches. The usage of small ponds is typical across the range. It can be found in modified habitat types, but this species is not considered to be very adaptable. Drainage ditches can represent important aquatic habitats for this species, which needs to be considered in restoration activities (Hartel et al. 2011).

Connectivity at multiple scales is essential for the preservation with a high density of ponds favouring its presence in aquatic habitats (Denoël et al. 2013). In pond networks, a large part of populations is not site faithful, dispersing between ponds within and among breeding seasons, also suggesting the importance of connectivity (Denoël et al. 2018). The importance of habitat features at a close range to ponds has been highlighted both for the use of aquatic habitats and genetic richness (Denoël et al. 2013; Cox et al. 2021). Introduced fish Perccottus glenii strongly prey on tadpoles of this species causing a strong decline in the number of local populations in Russia (Reshetnikov 2001).

The species is sensitive to changes in water quality. Correspondingly, industrial pollution of water, destruction and drainage of ponds seem to be negative factors for T. cristatus.

Polluted waters have been reported to impact negatively its occurrence in agricultural ponds (Denoël et al. 2013). Lack of connectivity among breeding sites, and the presence of introduced fish also threaten the survival of local crested newts (Denoel et al. 2013). The impact of natural factors such as ponds overgrowing, shallowing and eutrophication is harmful to urban populations and those near to the range margins.

Being recognised also as a species which uses lotic habitats, it was considered as potentially threatened by the establishment of run-of-river small hydropower plants in the part of the Carpathian region which enters the Balkan Peninsula (Crnobrnja-Isailović et al. 2021). Introduced predatory fishes are leading to declines in some areas. Contemporary agricultural practices (e.g. glyphosate application on the arable fields) coincide with species seasonal migrations (Berger et al. 2013). In some parts of the range (of the former Soviet Union), there is substantial commercial collecting of this species for the pet trade. Habitat fragmentation is a threat. Additionally, it was revealed that low annual survival is related to mild winters and heavy rainfall, which impact the metapopulation at the regional level (Griffiths et al. 2010).

This species is collected for the commercial pet trade.

Conservation In Place
Listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention, and there is an Action Plan. Listed on Annexes II and IV of the EU Natural Habitats Directive. Protected by national legislation in many countries; recorded on many national and sub-national Red Data books and lists. It is considered Endangered in Switzerland (Schmidt and Zumbach 2005), Czech Republic (Chobot and Nemec 2017) and Serbia (Kalezić et al. 2015), Vulnerable in Romania (Botnariuc and Tatole 2005) and Bulgaria (Golemanski 2011). Present in many protected areas. The are local conservation programmes for the species in parts of its range (e.g. Poland, Germany). In the UK there is a need for monitoring following mitigation work. Successful conservation action is possible for this species (Moor et al. 2022); however, the increases seen are weaker than increases for other species (B. Schmidt pers. comm. February 2023).

A European Action Plan was approved for the species complex by Bern Convention in 2006 (Edgar and Bird 2006).

There were 56 EC-funded LIFE-projects targeting the species or its habitats:https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/search/get?basicSearchText=triturus+cristatus

Conservation Needed
Water management should target the restoration of water bodies, serving as breeding habitat for the species throughout its range, but especially within EU Natura2000 network.

There is also an urgent need for a EU (European Union) wide coordinated approach and implementation of the Bsal Action Plan by Gilbert et al.(2020), which was commissioned by the European Commission.

Research Needed
If an outbreak of Bsal was to occur within this species' range, population monitoring would need to be carried out immediately and this species would need to be reassessed. For comparative reasons, baseline surveys should be undertaken. Other emerging pathogens might need to be screened as well.