Half of Europe's frogs and toads face extinction in 40 years, 'terrifying' study shows
Scientists have revealed "terrifying" research that shows rare and tropical frogs, toads, newts and salamanders are facing extinction much sooner than previously thought.
The Guardian, by Sarah Rainey, 11/17/11
Amphibians living in tropical regions, which traditionally boast the highest diversity of animal species, are under the biggest threat in the future, researchers say.
Half of all Europe's frogs, toads and newts could also be driven to extinction within 40 years, their study shows.
Scientists say the rapid decline, which is much bleaker than previously thought, will affect those living in rainforests and jungle climates where they usually thrive.
Around half of amphibian species are declining, while a third are already facing extinction.
The threat, driven by climate change and loss of habitat, has been intensified by the spread of a deadly fungal disearse called chytridiomycosis.
One in three of the world's amphibians - which include frogs, toads, newts and salamanders - is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list of endangered species, the Guardian reports. Researchers led by Dr Christian Hof have carried out the largest study of its kind on the future survival of the creatures.
"What we found looking at climate change, for example, is that many tropical regions, such as northern South America, the Andes and parts of Africa, will be highly impacted," he told the paper. The scientists used computer modelling to predict the impact of climate change, habitat destruction and disease on amphibian populations.
The results, published in the journal Nature, show that two thirds of the regions with the richest diversity of frog and salamander species will be affected by one or more of the threats by 2080.
The Malagasy rainbow frog and the Chinese giant salamander are among those most critically endangered.
Helen Meredith, amphibian conservationist at the Zoological Society of London, said it was "terrifying" that a third of all species were now facing extinction.
"Dada is deficient or a quarter of them, which means we don't know whether they are threatened with extinction or not," she told The Guardian.
Scientists have revealed "terrifying" research that shows rare and tropical frogs, toads, newts and salamanders are facing extinction much sooner than previously thought.
The Guardian, by Sarah Rainey, 11/17/11
Amphibians living in tropical regions, which traditionally boast the highest diversity of animal species, are under the biggest threat in the future, researchers say.
Half of all Europe's frogs, toads and newts could also be driven to extinction within 40 years, their study shows.
Scientists say the rapid decline, which is much bleaker than previously thought, will affect those living in rainforests and jungle climates where they usually thrive.
Around half of amphibian species are declining, while a third are already facing extinction.
The threat, driven by climate change and loss of habitat, has been intensified by the spread of a deadly fungal disearse called chytridiomycosis.
One in three of the world's amphibians - which include frogs, toads, newts and salamanders - is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list of endangered species, the Guardian reports. Researchers led by Dr Christian Hof have carried out the largest study of its kind on the future survival of the creatures.
"What we found looking at climate change, for example, is that many tropical regions, such as northern South America, the Andes and parts of Africa, will be highly impacted," he told the paper. The scientists used computer modelling to predict the impact of climate change, habitat destruction and disease on amphibian populations.
The results, published in the journal Nature, show that two thirds of the regions with the richest diversity of frog and salamander species will be affected by one or more of the threats by 2080.
The Malagasy rainbow frog and the Chinese giant salamander are among those most critically endangered.
Helen Meredith, amphibian conservationist at the Zoological Society of London, said it was "terrifying" that a third of all species were now facing extinction.
"Dada is deficient or a quarter of them, which means we don't know whether they are threatened with extinction or not," she told The Guardian.
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