Abstract
Habitat loss is the primary driver of amphibian declines. The protection and management of habitats are thus
the most critical conservation actions needed for at least 60% of amphibians, with habitat loss accounting for
population declines and extinctions at local and regional levels. Habitat loss is directly related to pollution, but it also
exacerbates other major threats to amphibians, such as disease, illegal trade, and invasive species. Habitat loss
also reduces the ability of amphibian species to disperse and alter their distribution within their ecophysiological
tolerance ranges in order to adapt to climate change. Currently, less than 30% of amphibian species are
represented in the global protected-area system. The restricted geographic distribution, high habitat-specificity,
and dependence on narrow climatic envelopes of many amphibian species mean that amphibians are particularly
prone to local extinctions. Of the 37 amphibian species reported as extinct as of 2021, 48.6% were distributed in
South and Southeast Asia, and 21% in Mesoamerica. These species mainly inhabited inland wetlands and forests.
Considerable research into understanding the effects of habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation on amphibians
have been undertaken over the past 15 years, including a review on the effectiveness of amphibian-targeted
conservation interventions
the most critical conservation actions needed for at least 60% of amphibians, with habitat loss accounting for
population declines and extinctions at local and regional levels. Habitat loss is directly related to pollution, but it also
exacerbates other major threats to amphibians, such as disease, illegal trade, and invasive species. Habitat loss
also reduces the ability of amphibian species to disperse and alter their distribution within their ecophysiological
tolerance ranges in order to adapt to climate change. Currently, less than 30% of amphibian species are
represented in the global protected-area system. The restricted geographic distribution, high habitat-specificity,
and dependence on narrow climatic envelopes of many amphibian species mean that amphibians are particularly
prone to local extinctions. Of the 37 amphibian species reported as extinct as of 2021, 48.6% were distributed in
South and Southeast Asia, and 21% in Mesoamerica. These species mainly inhabited inland wetlands and forests.
Considerable research into understanding the effects of habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation on amphibians
have been undertaken over the past 15 years, including a review on the effectiveness of amphibian-targeted
conservation interventions
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Amphibian conservation action plan |
| Subtitle of host publication | A status review and roadmap for global amphibian conservation |
| Editors | Sally Wren, Amaël Borzée, Ruth Marcec-Greaves, Ariadne Angulo |
| Place of Publication | Gland, Switzerland |
| Publisher | IUCN SSC Occasional Paper |
| Chapter | 5 |
| Pages | 115-146 |
| Number of pages | 31 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-2-8317-2279-5 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-2-8317-2279-5 |
| State | Published - 23 Jul 2024 |