Direct and indirect effects of climate change on amphibian populations

Diversity
By: , and 

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Abstract

As part of an overall decline in biodiversity, populations of many organisms are declining and species are being lost at unprecedented rates around the world. This includes many populations and species of amphibians. Although numerous factors are affecting amphibian populations, we show potential direct and indirect effects of climate change on amphibians at the individual, population and community level. Shifts in amphibian ranges are predicted. Changes in climate may affect survival, growth, reproduction and dispersal capabilities. Moreover, climate change can alter amphibian habitats including vegetation, soil, and hydrology. Climate change can influence food availability, predator-prey relationships and competitive interactions which can alter community structure. Climate change can also alter pathogen-host dynamics and greatly influence how diseases are manifested. Changes in climate can interact with other stressors such as UV-B radiation and contaminants. The interactions among all these factors are complex and are probably driving some amphibian population declines and extinctions.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Direct and indirect effects of climate change on amphibian populations
Series title Diversity
DOI 10.3390/d2020281
Volume 2
Issue 2
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher MDPI
Contributing office(s) Southeast Ecological Science Center
Description 33 p.
First page 281
Last page 313
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