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No subpopulations of amphibians have been evaluated by the IUCN. For a species to be considered endangered by the IUCN it must meet certain quantitative criteria which are designed to classify taxa facing "a very high risk of extinction".
Habitat loss, disease and climate change are thought to be responsible for the drastic decline in populations in recent years. [ 12 ] Declines have been particularly intense in the western United States , Central America , South America , eastern Australia and Fiji (although cases of amphibian extinctions have appeared worldwide).
However, the speed of recent climate change is very fast. Due to this rapid change, for example cold-blooded animals (a category which includes amphibians, reptiles and all invertebrates) may struggle to find a suitable habitat within 50 km of their current location at the end of this century (for a mid-range scenario of future global warming). [6]
As climate change raises sea levels, salt water is traveling further up rivers, for example. And these species already face tremendous threats from pollution and overfishing, the IUCN said.
The World's 100 most threatened species [1] is a compilation of the most threatened animals, plants, and fungi in the world. It was the result of a collaboration between over 8,000 scientists from the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC), along with the Zoological Society of London . [ 2 ]
Alpine salamanders are not resilient to habitat changes— few terrestrial salamanders are— so risks of climate change altering their living spaces is severe. [23] Although alpine salamanders are listed as Least Concern on IUCN Red List, their numbers are decreasing. [1] Additionally, some subspecies of S. atra are in greater danger. [25]
Specific reasons for the decline may include climate change, chytridiomycosis, or volcanic activity, but the main threat is habitat destruction as logging, agricultural activities, and human settlement reduce their often tiny, fragmented ranges. Survey work is being undertaken to assess the status of these salamanders, and to better understand ...
The hindfoot of a wandering salamander is seen just before it takes a step forward. Scientists say its blood-powered toes help this salamander moves hundreds of feet in the air (Photo by William P ...