Climate Change Emerges as Major Threat to Amphibians

• 07 Oct 2023

A recent paper analyzing two decades of global data reveals that climate change is becoming one of the most significant threats to frogs, salamanders, and caecilians.

Key Points

• Climate Change in Focus: A study titled ‘Ongoing declines for the world’s amphibians in the face of emerging threats,’ published in Nature on October 4, unveils the escalating danger climate change poses to amphibians.
• Findings reveal that 40% of amphibian species face extinction, with these data to be published on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
• Between 2004 and 2022, over 300 amphibian species moved closer to extinction, with climate change being the primary threat for 39% of them.
• Amphibians' sensitivity to environmental changes makes climate change particularly perilous for them.
• Security for Amphibian Habitat: Habitat destruction and degradation due to agriculture and infrastructure development remain common threats, affecting 93% of all threatened amphibian species.
• Expanded habitat and corridor protection are emphasized to safeguard biodiversity.
• Global Amphibian Status: The study updates the 2004 document based on the first global amphibian assessment, revealing that 41% of assessed amphibian species are globally threatened.
• Four amphibian species have gone extinct since 2004, with 27 more critically endangered species possibly extinct.
• Conservation efforts have improved the status of 120 species since 1980.
• Relevance to India: India, with its focus on population and infrastructure development, holds significance as a habitat for rare amphibian species.
• The study will highlight the need for aligning national priorities and fundraising for amphibian conservation efforts within countries, especially in India.