Distribution of anuran amphibians in massively altered landscapes in south‐eastern Australia: effects of climate change in an aridifying region

Nally, Ralph Mac; Horrocks, Gregory; Lada, Hania; Lake, Philip Spencer; Thomson, James Robertson; Taylor, Andrea Carolyn

doi:10.1111/j.1466-8238.2009.00469.x

Cited by 40 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Similarly, in a long term study from eastern North America a drying trend reduced pool hydroperiod and resulted in reproductive failure and the decline of several amphibian species (Daszak et al 2005). In southern Australia, decreased autumn and winter precipitation associated with prolonged drought have reduced the number of sites supporting common frog species, and have greatly lowered the densities of calling males at remaining sites (Mac Nally et al 2009). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Established causes of decline include habitat loss (Cushman 2006), introduced predators (Kats and Ferrer 2003) and pollution (Relyea and Diecks 2008). In addition, the emerging infectious disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Berger et al 1998, Vredenburg et al 2010) and climate change (McMenamin et al 2008, Mac Nally et al 2009) have been implicated in widespread declines, often occurring within protected environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Decline of an endangered amphibian during an extreme climatic event

et al. 2012

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Abstract. Climate change is a poorly understood, emerging threat to many amphibian species. One of the ways climate change is likely to affect amphibians is through increased recruitment failure associated with more frequent climatic extremes. To understand the risk posed by this threat, we combined 13 years of annual monitoring and multi-scaled habitat modelling at the site (n ¼ 60), pool (n ¼ 105) and nest (n ¼ 170) levels to investigate the decline of the endangered northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi ), during the most severe drought on record in southern Australia. We documented the local extinction of 42% of P. pengilleyi breeding sites during the climatic extreme. Using logistic regression we investigated habitat variables associated with extinction sites. We found that locally extinct sites now resemble historically absent sites, with fewer pools, less water, and drying-related tree invasion. Extended periods of limited water availability at extinction sites is likely to have restricted breeding, contributing to localised extinctions. Habitat variables recorded at the pool and nest level did not significantly influence P. pengilleyi presence/absence, indicating that site level wetness had an overriding effect. We anticipate that increasing climate variability is likely to disproportionately threaten seasonal pool-breeding amphibian species, exacerbating the global amphibian biodiversity crisis. However, our work with P. pengilleyi suggests there are a range of simple habitat manipulations that could help to ameliorate the impacts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decline of an endangered amphibian during an extreme climatic event

et al. 2012

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“…In terms of the impact on amphibians, both increased and decreased precipitation affect and can lead to the loss of amphibian habitat (Pounds and Crump, 1994). Changes in temperature will affect habitat as well, in extreme cases contributing to desertification and loss of habitat (Verstraete et al, 2008), which has been shown to affect amphibian distributions (MacNally et al, 2009). …”

Section: Atmospheric Change Affects Habitat Modificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The cause of global amphibian declines: a developmental endocrinologist's perspective

Hayes

Falso

Gallipeau

et al. 2010

Journal of Experimental Biology

378

235

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SummaryGreater than 70% of the world's amphibian species are in decline. We propose that there is probably not a single cause for global amphibian declines and present a three-tiered hierarchical approach that addresses interactions among and between ultimate and proximate factors that contribute to amphibian declines. There are two immediate (proximate) causes of amphibian declines: death and decreased recruitment (reproductive failure). Although much attention has focused on death, few studies have addressed factors that contribute to declines as a result of failed recruitment. Further, a great deal of attention has focused on the role of pathogens in inducing diseases that cause death, but we suggest that pathogen success is profoundly affected by four other ultimate factors: atmospheric change, environmental pollutants, habitat modification and invasive species. Environmental pollutants arise as likely important factors in amphibian declines because they have realized potential to affect recruitment. Further, many studies have documented immunosuppressive effects of pesticides, suggesting a role for environmental contaminants in increased pathogen virulence and disease rates. Increased attention to recruitment and ultimate factors that interact with pathogens is important in addressing this global crisis.

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“…Abundance was greatest in the lower, heavy cracking soils of alluvial areas, which become seasonally inundated swamps. These areas provide abundant shelter (soil cracks, grass cover and fallen logs) and hold moisture longer which is a strong determinant of amphibian survival and abundance (Mac Nally et al 2009;Tracy et al 2007). The total observed richness was low, a function of multi-taxa surveillance surveys that require adequate access and therefore a relatively restricted period for survey.…”

Section: Assemblage Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Upland savannas: the vertebrate fauna of largely unknown but significant habitat in north-eastern Queensland

Vanderduys¹,

Kutt²,

Kemp³

2012

Australian Zoologist

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This paper reports the results of dry and wet season systematic terrestrial vertebrate fauna surveys carried out on Blackbraes, a National Park in the Einasleigh Uplands bioregion, North Queensland. It quantifies, for the first time, the biodiversity values of the highest altitude upland area in the Australian tropical savanna. Nine species, including two mammals and seven reptiles, were recorded at the limits of their known range, or in seemingly disjunct populations. Patterns of fauna assemblage in relation to underlying geology and associated habitat variables were investigated and several strong relationships emerged. Temporal patterns in the observed fauna were investigated and 20 species (15 birds, 5 reptiles) were found to be more numerous in different seasons (wet and dry). The avifauna recorded was consistent with much of Australia's tropical savanna, but the reptile and mammal assemblages were distinct, rich and unusual, with exceptionally high abundances, particularly of some arboreal mammals. Blackbraes acts as an upland refuge, but the micro-habitat refuges are unusual in that they are provided by sandy habitats rather than more typical rock refuges.

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Distribution of anuran amphibians in massively altered landscapes in south‐eastern Australia: effects of climate change in an aridifying region

Cited by 40 publications

References 53 publications

Decline of an endangered amphibian during an extreme climatic event

Decline of an endangered amphibian during an extreme climatic event

The cause of global amphibian declines: a developmental endocrinologist's perspective

Upland savannas: the vertebrate fauna of largely unknown but significant habitat in north-eastern Queensland

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