About 40.7 per cent (2,873 species) of amphibians are now classified as globally threatened under the IUCN Red List categories, which include Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable, according to a report. The report published in Nature reveals that the status of amphibians globally is continuing to deteriorate, with an increase from 37.9% in 1980 and 39.4% in 2004.
CONCENTRATIONS OF THREATENED AMPHIBIAN
The most significant concentrations of threatened amphibian species are found in various regions, including the Caribbean islands, Mesoamerica, the Tropical Andes, the mountains and forests of western Cameroon and eastern Nigeria, Madagascar, the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Additionally, other notable concentrations of threatened species are present in the Atlantic Forest biome of southern Brazil, the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, central and southern China, and the southern Annamite Mountains of Vietnam.
MOST THREATENDED
Amphibians now stand as the second most threatened group among comprehensively assessed species on the IUCN Red List, and they remain the most threatened vertebrate class, surpassing even mammals, reptiles, and birds in terms of their level of threat.
Tragically, documented amphibian extinctions are on the rise, with a total of 37 species declared extinct by 2022. The most recent extinctions include Atelopus chiriquiensis and Taudactylus acutirostris, which experienced rapid declines linked to chytridiomycosis in the 1990s. Additionally, Craugastor myllomyllon and Pseudoeurycea exspectata, last seen in the 1970s, are believed to be Extinct due to agricultural expansion. Many species, missing for decades, are categorized as Critically Endangered (CR) and flagged as Possibly Extinct (CR(PE)), indicating the strict criteria needed to declare a species as Extinct.
THE THREATENING ISSUES
Considering the threats faced by amphibians, habitat loss and degradation are the most commonly documented issues. Agriculture impacts 77% of amphibian species, followed by timber and plant harvesting affecting 53%, and infrastructure development impacting 40%. Climate change (29%) and disease (29%) are also significant threats to these vulnerable creatures.
The report underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect amphibian species worldwide and highlights the broader challenges of preserving biodiversity in the face of escalating threats and habitat loss.
