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Complex causes of amphibian population declines

Author

Listed:
  • Joseph M. Kiesecker

    (The Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Laboratory)

  • Andrew R. Blaustein

    (Oregon State University)

  • Lisa K. Belden

    (Oregon State University)

Abstract

Amphibian populations have suffered widespread declines and extinctions in recent decades. Although climatic changes, increased exposure to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation and increased prevalence of disease have all been implicated at particular localities1,2,3,4,5,6, the importance of global environmental change remains unclear. Here we report that pathogen outbreaks in amphibian populations in the western USA are linked to climate-induced changes in UV-B exposure. Using long-term observational data and a field experiment, we examine patterns among interannual variability in precipitation, UV-B exposure and infection by a pathogenic oomycete, Saprolegnia ferax. Our findings indicate that climate-induced reductions in water depth at oviposition sites have caused high mortality of embryos by increasing their exposure to UV-B radiation and, consequently, their vulnerability to infection1. Precipitation, and thus water depth/UV-B exposure, is strongly linked to El Niño/Southern Oscillation cycles, underscoring the role of large-scale climatic patterns involving the tropical Pacific7. Elevated sea-surface temperatures in this region since the mid-1970s, which have affected the climate over much of the world8, could be the precursor for pathogen-mediated amphibian declines in many regions1,3,4,9.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph M. Kiesecker & Andrew R. Blaustein & Lisa K. Belden, 2001. "Complex causes of amphibian population declines," Nature, Nature, vol. 410(6829), pages 681-684, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:410:y:2001:i:6829:d:10.1038_35070552
    DOI: 10.1038/35070552
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    Cited by:

    1. Ralph Mac Nally & Gregory F. B. Horrocks & Hania Lada, 2017. "Anuran responses to pressures from high-amplitude drought–flood–drought sequences under climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 141(2), pages 243-257, March.
    2. Westervelt, James D. & Sperry, Jinelle H. & Burton, Jennifer L. & Palis, John G., 2013. "Modeling response of frosted flatwoods salamander populations to historic and predicted climate variables," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 268(C), pages 18-24.
    3. Bing Wang & Su-Yan Pan & Ruo-Yu Ke & Ke Wang & Yi-Ming Wei, 2014. "An overview of climate change vulnerability: a bibliometric analysis based on Web of Science database," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 74(3), pages 1649-1666, December.
    4. Richmond, Courtney E. & Wethey, David S. & Woodin, Sarah A., 2007. "Climate change and increased environmental variability: Demographic responses in an estuarine harpacticoid copepod," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 209(2), pages 189-202.
    5. Holly E Copeland & Kevin E Doherty & David E Naugle & Amy Pocewicz & Joseph M Kiesecker, 2009. "Mapping Oil and Gas Development Potential in the US Intermountain West and Estimating Impacts to Species," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(10), pages 1-7, October.
    6. Alex Collier & Lowell Orr & Julie Morris & James Blank, 2008. "The Effects of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the Mortality and Growth of Two Amphibian Species ( Xenopus laevis and Pseudacris triseriata )," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 5(5), pages 1-10, December.

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