Ecology: Amphibian populations in decline

Amphibian populations have suffered widespread declines and extinctions in recent decades. Although climatic fluctuations, increased UV-B radiation, and increased prevalence of disease have all been implicated at particular localities, the importance of global environmental change remains unclear. New data links global climate change with disease outbreaks in populations of the western toad, Bufo boreas, a species that has experienced severe declines in recent years. Cover shows a breeding pair of western toads.

Complex causes of amphibian population declines
JOSEPH M. KIESECKER, ANDREW R. BLAUSTEIN & LISA K. BELDEN
Nature 410, 681-684 (5 April 2001)
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Climate and amphibian declines
J. ALAN POUNDS
Various reasons have been proposed for the falling numbers of amphibians in many parts of the world. Changing climate is likely to be a key factor — but with complicated links to the immediate causes of these population declines.
Nature 410, 639-640 (5 April 2001)
| Full Text | PDF (356 K) |

Frogs feel the heat
Amphibian populations are in rapid and concerning decline globally. Suggested causes include disease, farm chemicals and pollution. This week, Kiesecker and colleagues present evidence that anthropogenic global warming is the overall cause, reducing water depth at spawning sites. This exposes amphibian embryos to UV-B radiation, leading to fatal infection. (5 April 2001)

5 April 2001 table of contents