CURRENT THREATS FACED BY AMPHIBIAN POPULATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN CONE OF SOUTH AMERICA

KACOLIRIS FEDERICO PABLO; BERKUNSKY IGOR; ACOSTA, J. C.; ACOSTA R.; AGOSTINI, M. G.; AKMENTINS, MAURICIO; ARELLANO, MARÍA LUZ; AZAT CLAUDIO; BACH NADIA; BLANCO GRACIELA; CALVO RODRIGO; CHARRIER ANDRÉS; CORBALÁN VALERIA; CORREA CLAUDIO; CUELLO MARÍA ELENA; DEUTSCH CAMILA; DI PIETRO, DIEGO OMAR; GASTÓN SOLEDAD; GOMEZ ALÉS RODRIGO; KASS CAMILA; KASS NICOLÁS; LOBOS GABRIEL; MARTÍNEZ TOMÁS AGUSTÍN; MARTINEZ AGUIRRE, TOMÁS; MORA MARTA; NIEVA-COCILIO RODRIGO; PASTORE HERNÁN; PÉREZ IGLESIAS JUAN MANUEL; PIAGGIO KOKOT LÍA; RABANAL FELIPE; RODRIGUEZ MUÑOZ MELINA JESÚS; SANCHEZ LAURA CECILIA; TALA CHARIF; ÚBEDA CARMEN; VAIRA MARCOS; VELASCO, MELINA ALICIA; VIDAL MARCELA; JORGE DANIEL WILLIAMS

JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION

ELSEVIER GMBH

Año: 2022

1617-1381

In this work, we update and increase the knowledge about the severity and extent of threats that are affecting 57 populations of 46 amphibian species from Chile and Argentina in southern South America. We analyze intrinsic conservation problems that directly impact these populations. We shared a questionnaire among specialists regarding the threats affecting target amphibian populations with information on i) distributional range, ii) historical occurrence and abundance, iii) population trend, iv) local extinction, v) threats, and vi) conservation/research in place and needed. Multiple correspondence analysis was used to assess the pattern of association among reported threats and population trends. A total of 25 of the 57 populations have been declining since 2010, while 16 of them experienced local extinctions. Assessed populations were affected by 81% of the analyzed specific threat categories, with some related to agriculture activities and/or habitat modifications, being among the most frequently reported threats. Invasive species, emerging diseases, and activities related to grazing, ranching, or farming were the threats most associated with population decline. Low connectivity was the most frequent intrinsic conservation problem affecting 68% of target populations, followed by low population number, which affected 60% of the populations. Ongoing monitoring activity was conducted in 32 (56%) populations, and was the most frequent research activity. Mitigation of threats was reported in 27 (47%) populations, and was the most frequent ongoing management activity. In contrast, habitat management was only reported as ongoing in 5 (9%) populations. At least 44% of the studied amphibian populations from Chile and Argentina are declining. More information related to the effect of management actions aimed at restoring habitat, recovering populations, and removing threats such as invasive species is urgently needed to reverse the conservation crisis faced by amphibians in this Neotropical region.