Heatwaves and Droughts: A Death Knell for Amphibians in the Climate Crisis
Intense heatwaves and dry spells intensify challenges for frogs and other susceptible creatures. - Intensified heatwaves and dry spells exacerbate the plight of amphibian species.
Step aside, humans. The climate catastrophe isn't just about us – it's also a death sentence for many amphibian species! A team of researchers based in Frankfurt, Germany, has reported in the journal "Conservation Biology" that extremes like heatwaves and droughts are decimating froggy populations worldwide, particularly in Central Europe, the Amazon, and Madagascar.
In the heart of Europe, it's the slippery salamanders that are taking the hit. According to co-author Lisa Schulte from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt, as much as half of Central Europe's true salamanders are suffering from extended dry spells, a situation that's expected to get worse. True salamanders include our friends the fire salamander, alpine salamander, and common newt.
To delve into this crisis, the scientists, led by Evan Twomey of the Goethe University, looked at global weather data for the past 40 years, particularly heatwaves, cold spells, and droughts, and compared that with the geographical distribution of over 7,000 amphibian species and their threat status on the IUCN Red List.
Their findings were grim: an alarming worsening of amphibian threat status since 2004, especially in areas experiencing increased heatwaves and droughts. What makes amphibians easy targets? They rely on temporary wetlands for breeding, making them vulnerable to the very climate events harming those wetlands.
With over 40% of known amphibian species already classified as critically endangered, the experts blame climate change, habitat loss, diseases, and pollution for their plight, but are these tiny, resilient creatures about to meet their final frog-tique as the heat ramps up?
- Amphibian
- Climate crisis
- Heatwave
- Drought
- Extreme weather event
- Central Europe
- Frankfurt
- Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt
- Frankfurt am Main
- Europe
- Madagascar
- Amazon
- Habitat loss
- Disease
- Pollution
Enrichment Data:
- Central Europe
- Salamander Vulnerability: Salamanders in Central Europe are very susceptible to droughts, as half of the region's true salamanders are increasingly experiencing dry spells, which may worsen in the future.
- Impact of Droughts: Droughts lead to breeding grounds drying out earlier, disrupting amphibian reproduction and worsening their threatened status.
- Other Regions
- Extreme Weather Events: An increase in extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and droughts, has been directly linked to the decline of amphibian populations. Regions that have experienced more of these events have seen a significant deterioration in amphibian status since 2004.
- Amphibian Susceptibility: Amphibians are particularly susceptible due to their reliance on wetlands for breeding. Disruptions caused by droughts and temperature shifts can devastate these environments.
- Threat Status: More than 40% of all amphibian species are at risk of extinction due to factors like climate change, habitat loss, disease, and pollution.
- The study conducted by researchers in Frankfurt, Germany, published in "Conservation Biology," reveals that heatwaves and droughts, considered extreme weather events, are contributing significantly to the declining population of amphibians, particularly in Central Europe, where half of the true salamanders are currently suffering from extended dry spells.
- Amphibians are increasingly threatened by climate change, as the alarming worsening of their threat status since 2004, especially in regions experiencing increased heatwaves and droughts, indicates. This deterioration is more pronounced in regions like Madagascar, the Amazon, and certain parts of Europe.
- The impact of droughts on amphibians is profound, as these creatures rely on temporary wetlands for breeding. Droughts lead to these breeding grounds drying out earlier, disrupting amphibian reproduction, and exacerbating their already threatened status.
