Scientists Warn of Amphibian Decline as Global Temperatures Rise
A recent study by the Goethe University in Frankfurt has revealed that rising temperatures and extreme weather events pose a significant threat to amphibian populations worldwide. The research, which analyzed global weather data from the past 40 years and compared it to the distribution of over 7,000 amphibian species, found that the threat status of amphibians in regions with increased heatwaves and droughts has significantly deteriorated since 2004.
The scientists, led by Evan Twomey, a co-author of the study, highlighted the unique vulnerability of amphibians due to their dependence on moist habitats for reproduction. The team’s findings suggest that regions such as Europe, the Amazon and Madagascar are particularly affected, with European salamanders being particularly hard hit due to increasing drought periods.
Lisa Schulte, head of the Department of Wildlife and Zoological Biology and Systematics, warned of the situation in Central Europe, where over half of the native true salamander species are increasingly exposed to drought periods. The authors of the study are calling for targeted conservation measures, such as the creation of protected areas and the improvement of habitats, to help the threatened species and preserve biodiversity.