Daily Current Affairs : 12-October-2023
The recent study published in the Nature journal sheds light on the alarming threats faced by amphibians worldwide, with a focus on climate change as a primary menace. Amphibians, a diverse group including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians, are under severe threat, demanding urgent attention and conservation efforts.
Key Highlights of the Study:
The study reveals shocking statistics about the state of amphibians globally:
- Extinction Threat: Two out of every five amphibian species are at risk of extinction, making up 40.7% of all species. This percentage surpasses threats faced by mammals, reptiles, and birds.
- Extinctions: Tragically, four amphibian species have already gone extinct since 2004, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
- Climate Change Concerns: Climate change has emerged as a significant driver, causing 39% of status deterioration since 2004, alongside habitat loss at 37%.
Amphibians: Guardians of Ecosystems:
Amphibians, with their unique characteristics, play pivotal roles in various ecosystems:
- Habitat and Adaptation: Amphibians are versatile vertebrates, adapting to both terrestrial and aquatic environments. They are the first cold-blooded animals to have ventured onto land.
- Respiration and Circulation: Amphibians respire through their lungs and skin and have three-chambered hearts.
- Ecological Significance: Amphibians are invaluable ecological indicators, reflecting ecosystem health. Their sensitivity helps assess habitat fragmentation, pesticide impact, and human activities.
Threats to Amphibians:
The study highlights common threats faced by amphibians:
- Habitat Destruction: Activities like agriculture and infrastructure development threaten 93% of all threatened species.
- Climate Change and Disease: Climate change and diseases, especially chytrid fungus, pose significant risks to amphibians’ survival.
- Salamanders in Peril: Three out of every five salamander species are threatened, primarily due to habitat destruction and climate change, making them the most endangered amphibian group.
Conservation Efforts and the Way Forward:
Conservationists are responding to this crisis with strategic initiatives:
- Global Conservation Action Plan: Conservationists are leveraging the study’s findings to create a comprehensive global conservation action plan.
- Priority Conservation Efforts: The study helps prioritize conservation efforts, directing resources to the most vulnerable regions and species.
- Policy Influence: These findings are instrumental in influencing policies, advocating for stricter regulations to protect amphibian habitats and curb climate change.
Important Points:
- Amphibians in Crisis:
- 40.7% of amphibian species are at risk of extinction, surpassing threats faced by mammals, reptiles, and birds.
- Four amphibian species have gone extinct since 2004.
- Climate change drives 39% of status deterioration since 2004, alongside habitat loss at 37%.
- Amphibians’ Ecological Significance:
- Versatile vertebrates adapting to both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
- Crucial ecological indicators reflecting ecosystem health.
- Sensitivity aids in assessing habitat fragmentation, pesticide impact, and human activities.
- Common Threats:
- Habitat destruction (93% of threatened species) due to activities like agriculture and infrastructure development.
- Climate change and diseases, especially chytrid fungus, pose significant risks.
- Salamanders, with three out of five species threatened, are particularly endangered due to habitat destruction and climate change.
- Conservation Initiatives:
- Global Conservation Action Plan aims to utilize study findings for strategic conservation efforts.
- Prioritization of conservation initiatives based on vulnerable regions and species.
- Influence policies to advocate for stricter regulations protecting amphibian habitats and curbing climate change.
- Amphibians’ Role in Ecosystems:
- Amphibians play pivotal roles as both predators and prey.
- Contribute to pest control in agriculture and help control diseases like malaria.
- Amphibians have medical significance; their skin contains peptides used in painkillers and curing human diseases.
- Call to Action:
- Urgent need to recognize the crisis and implement robust conservation measures.
- Swift action can safeguard amphibians, ensuring a balanced and healthy ecosystem for future generations.
Why In News
In the recently published study titled ‘Ongoing declines for the world’s amphibians in the face of emerging threats’ in the Nature journal, researchers highlight the alarming challenges faced by amphibians globally, with climate change posing a particularly formidable threat, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts.
MCQs about Amphibian Crisis
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Which factor is identified as the primary threat for 39% of amphibian species since 2004?
A. Overexploitation
B. Disease caused by chytrid fungus
C. Climate change
D. Habitat destruction
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What role do amphibians play in agriculture and disease control?
A. They contribute to pesticide production.
B. They help control diseases like malaria and contribute to pest control in agriculture.
C. They serve as natural fertilizers.
D. They aid in soil aeration.
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Which amphibian group is identified as the most threatened?
A. Frogs and toads
B. Limbless and serpentine caecilians
C. Salamanders
D. Newts
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