Climate Catastrophe: Heatwaves and Droughts Imperil Amphibian Survival
Intense heatwaves and prolonged droughts worsen the predicament for frogs and other amphibians. - Intensified heatwaves and dry spells exacerbate predicament for aquatic creatures with terrestrial habits.
Wanna know what's cookin' in the animal kingdom? It ain't good for our little amphibian pals. Climate change is kickin' their butts, especially with those scorching heatwaves and crippling droughts. Researchers from Johan Goethe University in Frankfurt (yeah, the guy with the long hair and the freaky pants) are sounding the alarm in the journal "Conservation Biology."
Central Europe is where it's particularly hectic, with finned friends like the fire salamander, the alpine salamander, and the common newt bearing the brunt. Lisa Schulte, co-author from JG University Frankfurt, dropped some knowledge on us: "Around half of Europe's true salamanders are sizzlin' in this drought cookie.”
These scientists teamed up with Evan Twomey from JG University Frankfurt to examine global weather data from the last 40 years. They looked at heatwaves, cold snaps, and droughts, correlating them with the geographical distribution of more than 7,000 amphibian species and their Red List threat status. Droughts and heatwaves seem to be the main drivers of the Red List’s worsening threat status for the amphibian community.
Currently, over 40% of amphibian species are hanging by a thread on the Red List, and climate change, habitat destruction, diseases, and environmental contaminants are the natural basket they're tumblin' into. Amphibians tend to favor freshwater or moist terrestrial environments, so when those joints dry up due to heatwaves or droughts, it ain't pretty for them.
- Amphibians
- Climate catastrophe
- Heatwaves
- Droughts
- Extreme weather events
- Europe
- Madagascar
- Central Europe
- Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
- Johan Goethe University
- JG University Frankfurt
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As the climate crisis marches on, amphibians are sufferin' mightily. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events, like heatwaves and droughts, are pushin' species to the edge across Europe, Madagascar, and Central Europe. In fact, around 40% of known amphibian species are on the critically endangered list, teetering on the brink of extinction.[1]
Scientists worry that half of Central Europe's true salamanders, like the fire salamander, alpine salamander, and common newt, are facing increased drought periods.[1] This trend is expected to get worse as temperatures continue to climb and weather patterns become more erratic.[1]
In regions like Madagascar,[1] even though the impacts on specific species aren't as well-researched, experts still expect heatwaves and droughts to have a profound effect on amphibian populations.
Some species are in an even stickier situation. For instance, the fire salamander and alpine salamander, known for their sensitivity to temperature and moisture, are feelin' the squeeze.[1] The common newt is also vulnerable due to their reliance on temporary wetlands for reproduction, making them susceptible to drying conditions.[1][4]
It's clear that climate change ain't just a human problem; it's a global crisis that leaves no living creature untouched. We gots to work together to slow down the destruction and save our amphibian friends from a legacy of extinction. Stick around, because this ain't gonna be over soon!
- The current climate catastrophe, marked by heatwaves and droughts, is particularly harmful for amphibians, leading researchers from Johan Goethe University in Frankfurt to sound the alarm in the journal "Conservation Biology."
- scientists from Johan Goethe University in Frankfurt and Evan Twomey found that droughts and heatwaves are the primary drivers behind the worsening threat status for amphibian species, as documented in the Red List.
- Climate change, habitat destruction, diseases, and environmental contaminants are pushing over 40% of amphibian species towards extinction, emphasizing the need for immediate action to protect these species and the environment.
