40 percent of amphibians face “alarming” risk of extinction worldwide, scientists say

This conclusion, in a paper published by ‘Communications Earth and Environment’, follows an evolution study carried out since 2004, which pointed out that the main threats to amphibians include: habitat destruction, diseases caused by pathogens such as chytrid fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidisand climate changeThis will aggravate the previous ones.

In particular, he states:as a species atelopus It is one of the endangered groups of amphibians and are known as “clown frogs”. In fact, the study points out the need to look for new ways to protect.

Researcher Ignacio de la Riva, who participated in the study, said that gender atelopus It is home to 130 species that attract attention due to their colors and are distributed throughout Central and South America, from tropical plains to high mountainous regions. Thus, according to the latest analysis conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2022, it adds:Of the 94 species assessed, 62 are classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ and 39 of these are likely to be extinct.

De la Riva emphasizes:This group’s situation “exemplifies the current worst-case scenario” For amphibian species, he thinks this is an excellent situation to diagnose the general conservation status of these vertebrates.

The researchers analyzed data collected on the species since conservation programs began in 2004. In those years, De La Riva explains that although there were more than 30 species, they observed the following: atelopus those believed to be deficient are “not” but no population has improved since then; stating that “Suggested strategies do not work It was stated that the crisis situation for amphibians continues.

Additionally, researcher Stefan Lötters from the University of Triers (Germany) emphasizes that researchers, conservationists and other experts identified the crisis experienced by amphibians 30 years ago, and many initiatives have been launched on a global scale since then. Local to preserve its diversity, including numerous management and action plans.

Although he appreciates that such research has increased knowledge of where the decline is occurring, the mechanisms that explain it, and how threats interact, he observes: Mitigation measures such as habitat protection need to be increased.Improve research and management of diseases such as chytridiomycosis and promote captive breeding programs.

Why are amphibians important?

According to the herpetologica.es portal of the Spanish Herpetological Society, these animals offer important benefits for ecosystems and for humanity itself:

Biological controllers of diseases and pests. Amphibians are very voracious when they feed; Their diet includes a wide variety of insects and arthropods. Some of these prey can be carriers of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and Congo hemorrhagic fever. Other prey can become crop pests, affecting the production of various foods.

Allies against climate change. Studies conducted in North America have confirmed that lungless salamanders (Plethodontidae) contribute significantly to mitigating climate change, controlling leaf litter-degrading insect populations, reducing rapid carbon release into the atmosphere, and sequestering carbon in the ground.

Energy flow between land and water. Amphibians, which have a stage attached to water bodies and an adult stage on land, are considered valuable ecological bridges that transfer nutrients and energy from the aquatic environment to the terrestrial environment through the food chain and influence carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Substances and processes of medical importance. From pharmacological studies of substances derived from amphibians, drugs for veterinary and human use, such as pain suppressants or inflammation controllers, have been patented. Tissue regenerative processes (with gallipates) have also been investigated for application in regenerative medicine.

Contributions to culture. It is used in vases, sculptures, murals, poems, songs, paintings, movies, etc. A wide variety of amphibians are represented. Amphibians have existed in significant representations since prehistoric times. On the other hand, toxins of some amphibian groups have historically been used as powerful hallucinogens and triggered trance phenomena in magical-religious ceremonies (Meigas in Galicia and Basque Witchcraft in Zugarramurdi).

Algae control and maintenance of the aquatic environment. Some species of amphibians lay their eggs in water bodies, and tadpoles emerge from these waters, which contribute to reducing eutrophication by feeding on algae, preventing the uncontrolled proliferation of harmful algae, and improving the transmission of light and dissolved oxygen balance. In the water.

Food. It is estimated that more than 210 different species of frogs, toads and salamanders are consumed as food in different cultures and countries around the world, including Spain and France for the dish called frog legs (a hatchery in Villaverde, Zamora is the largest producer) and in Spain second in Europe).

Biomarkers. For decades, the existence of amphibians was thought to be synonymous with a healthy and balanced ecosystem; This statement is valid for many species. But there are other species that resist some level of ecosystem disruption. Amphibians can be indicators of good or bad ecosystem health; This depends on the genre.

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Contact address of the environmental department:krisclimatica@prensaiberica.es