Many amphibian species have evolved as highly specialized, living only in particular environments and with highly limited ranges. This makes many species especially vulnerable to the environmental changes we are experiencing today.
The most threatened species
The IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG), through its Amphibian Red List Authority (ARLA) program, has been working for over 20 years to map out what has been causing the dramatic decline of amphibian species and where.
The landmark publication, The State of the World's Amphibians, now provides a clear picture of:
- the critical threatening processes for amphibians
- where these processes are prevalent, and
- which of these threats are more urgently driving amphibian extinctions
What can you do?
Saving amphibians from extinction is one of the most pressing conservation challenges of our generation. Your support gives amphibians at-risk a fighting chance. Join us in ensuring that future generations inherit a world where amphibians continue to thrive.
Habitat loss
Almost all amphibians (93%) are under pressure as a result of habitat loss and degradation. In particular, forest loss threatens most amphibians as the significant majority (84%) of amphibian species depend on forest environments.
Although there are many reasons for the loss of the world’s forests, by far the main cause is converting forests to agricultural land, threatening over 2,000 amphibian species. Remnants of native habitat are often too small, too fragmented, or degraded to sustain viable populations.
Climate Change
Amphibians are uniquely vulnerable to climate change due to their biology. With highly permeable skin, which relies on moisture for breathing and hydration, they are especially sensitive to shifts in temperature and humidity.
Amphibians are largely experiencing climate change through increased incidence of drought – longer dry seasons, less rain, and the resulting changes to habitats. Other impacts also affecting amphibians are increased frequency of storms, flooding, and temperature extremes. Climate change also intensifies other threats such as wildfires and disease outbreaks.
Disease
For more than half of the amphibian species currently classified as Critically Endangered, disease is a primary cause. In fact, 80% of all amphibian extinctions recorded since the 1980s have been caused by the Bd chytrid fungus pandemic (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). Today, Bd is directly threatening 600 species, with an additional 75 species in its path.
Unfortunately, Bd is not the only disease impacting amphibians. Other emerging threats include ranaviruses and Bsal (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans). Bsal is a particularly worrying emerging disease. It is a fungal disease closely related to Bd, but that particularly threatens salamanders. Currently sweeping across Europe, Bsal is threatening three species of salamanders. However, the 2023 Global Amphibian Assessment has identified 238 additional salamander species which could be at risk.
