Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Amphibians and Reptiles: Threats and Conservation

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2023) | Viewed by 11893

Special Issue Editor

Laboratory of Animal Behaviour and Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210095, China
Interests: amphibians’ biodiversity and conservation; behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology; landscape modeling for ecological requirements; conservation-orientated phylogeography

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Amphibians and reptiles are among the most threatened groups of species, and their decline is linked to direct and indirect human activities. Threats generally include habitat loss or degradation, pathogens, invasive species, genetic erosion and hybridisation, and climate change. However, human activities are also the reason why some species are still extant, although the impact of conservation projects and that of protected areas is rarely scientifically assessed. For instance, the number of amphibian and reptile species benefitting from conservation activities and the impact of these projects on population dynamics is generally unclear, and the number of species extinct in the wild but surviving in captivity is not determined. This Special Issue focuses on novel research on the impact of human activities on amphibians and reptiles, and we welcome contributions focusing on both the vulnerability and conservation of species and populations, including policies and assessments of species’ threats and conservation statuses. Similarly, research on local adaptation—or the lack thereof—due to recent shifts in human activities are welcome, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and long-term factors such as adaptation to light and sound pollution, temperature increase and salinisation of the environment.

Prof. Dr. Amaël Borzée
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • amphibians
  • reptiles
  • anthropogenic impact
  • threat
  • conservation

Published Papers (4 papers)

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15 pages, 2191 KiB  
Article
Amphibian Taxonomic and Functional Diversity in a Heterogeneous Landscape of West-Central Mexico
by Verónica Carolina Rosas-Espinoza, Karen Elizabeth Peña-Joya, Eliza Álvarez-Grzybowska, Arquímedes Alfredo Godoy-González, Ana Luisa Santiago-Pérez and Fabián Alejandro Rodríguez-Zaragoza
Diversity 2022, 14(9), 738; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14090738 - 08 Sep 2022
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Abstract
Land use in Mexico has dramatically changed in recent decades since deforested lands have been repurposed for agriculture. We evaluated the amphibian taxonomic and functional diversity of a heterogeneous landscape with ten land cover/use types in west-central Mexico. Taxonomic diversity was evaluated with [...] Read more.
Land use in Mexico has dramatically changed in recent decades since deforested lands have been repurposed for agriculture. We evaluated the amphibian taxonomic and functional diversity of a heterogeneous landscape with ten land cover/use types in west-central Mexico. Taxonomic diversity was evaluated with q-order indices, and functional diversity was calculated with three multivariate functional diversity indices by land cover/use. The relationship between amphibian diversity, habitat structure, and environmental variables was analyzed using multidimensional distance-based analyses. Our results showed that most native land cover types exhibited a similar species richness (low values) among the studied crops, except for the riparian habitat surrounded by tropical dry forest (high richness) and secondary vegetation (intermediate richness). Regarding functional diversity, the riparian habitat surrounded by tropical dry forest, sugar cane field, and secondary vegetation had the highest values. The secondary vegetation had more functional groups than other land cover/use types. Despite the lack of a clear spatial pattern of amphibian taxonomic and functional diversity, we determined that attributes such as herbaceous cover and water availability are essential to maintain both facets with high amphibian diversity in the land cover/use types (e.g., secondary vegetation and sugar cane). Full article
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11 pages, 1717 KiB  
Communication
A Simple Conservation Tool to Aid Restoration of Amphibians following High-Severity Wildfires: Use of PVC Pipes by Green Tree Frogs (Hyla cinerea) in Central Texas, USA
by Thanchira Suriyamongkol, Kaitlyn Forks, Andrea Villamizar-Gomez, Hsiao-Hsuan Wang, William E. Grant, Michael R. J. Forstner and Ivana Mali
Diversity 2021, 13(12), 649; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13120649 - 06 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3705
Abstract
Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate class based on the IUCN Red List. Their decline has been linked to anthropogenic activities, with wildfires being among the most conspicuous agents of habitat alterations affecting native amphibians. In 2011, the most destructive wildfire in Texas [...] Read more.
Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate class based on the IUCN Red List. Their decline has been linked to anthropogenic activities, with wildfires being among the most conspicuous agents of habitat alterations affecting native amphibians. In 2011, the most destructive wildfire in Texas history occurred in the Lost Pines ecoregion of central Texas, USA, burning 39% of the 34,400 ha forest and drastically decreasing available habitats for many native wildlife species, including the green tree frog (Hyla cinerea). We investigated use of PVC pipes as artificial refuges for green tree frogs in different habitats within this post-fire pine forest. We monitored green tree frog use of small (diameter 38.1-mm, 1.5 inch) and large (diameter 50.8-mm, 2 inch) pipes located adjacent to, and 5 m from, ponds in burned and unburned areas over a 5-month period. We caught 227 frogs, 101 (24 adults and 77 juveniles) in burned and 126 (61 adults, 63 juveniles, and 2 unknown) in unburned areas. A relationship between pipe use by adults and/or juveniles and pipe location in burned versus unburned areas was found, but pipe use by adults and/or juveniles and pipe size were independent. Pipe use by adults and/or juveniles and pipe size were also independent. Juveniles were more frequently observed in pipes located adjacent to ponds. Our results confirmed that PVC pipes merit consideration as a simple, inexpensive, conservation tool to aid in restoration of green tree frog populations after high-severity wildfires. Such artificial refuges may be particularly important for survival of juveniles in severely altered post-fire habitats. Full article
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7 pages, 2309 KiB  
Interesting Images
Entrapped in Olive-Harvesting Nets: A Case of a Grass Snake Natrix natrix from an Olive-Growing Greek Aegean Island
by Yiannis G. Zevgolis and Apostolos Christopoulos
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030452 - 18 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1793
Abstract
Despite a recent shift towards sustainable practices to support the conservation of traditional olive groves, little is known about their potential threats to herpetofauna species. On the island of Lesvos, one of the main olive-growing islands in the Mediterranean, olive cultivation often prioritizes [...] Read more.
Despite a recent shift towards sustainable practices to support the conservation of traditional olive groves, little is known about their potential threats to herpetofauna species. On the island of Lesvos, one of the main olive-growing islands in the Mediterranean, olive cultivation often prioritizes the expeditious harvesting of olives with minimal or no supplementary intervention, resulting in their generally suboptimal management, a component of which also pertains to the olive nets that, in many cases, remain dispersed and unfurled throughout the groves. This particular practice affects the species living in the olive groves, making them more prone to risks related to their accidental trapping. In this study, we report the first case of a Grass snake being inadvertently trapped in an olive net laid out on an olive grove. The position of the snake under the net, within a folded tipping, made it difficult for it to escape, and it became increasingly entangled. Based on this incident, it is plausible to assume that similar cases may occur in areas where nets are used in olive groves, both in Greece and other olive-growing countries. Further systematic research is necessary to determine the extent of this issue. Full article
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8 pages, 923 KiB  
Brief Report
Amphibian-Friendly Water Drainages for Agricultural Landscapes, Based on Multiple Species Surveys and Behavioural Trials for Pelophylax nigromaculatus
by Sanghong Yu, Yoonhyuk Bae, Yoonjung Choi, Daeun Yu, Yikweon Jang and Amaël Borzée
Diversity 2022, 14(5), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14050414 - 23 May 2022
Viewed by 2155
Abstract
Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate group on earth, and one of the reasons for their decline is habitat loss. While some populations have persisted in agricultural wetlands such as rice paddies, the current anthropisation of landscapes is dealing a new blow to [...] Read more.
Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate group on earth, and one of the reasons for their decline is habitat loss. While some populations have persisted in agricultural wetlands such as rice paddies, the current anthropisation of landscapes is dealing a new blow to the survival of these species. In rice paddies, the new threats are especially visible through the increased channelization of water bodies with increasingly efficient drainage ditches, which become deadly traps. We first conducted surveys over three years to determine the use of ditches by frog species for natural versus concrete ditches, and thus relate to habitat adequacy as well as the probability of becoming trapped in concrete ditches. We then set up four types of experimental arena for escape trials. Experiments were replicated for the Black-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax nigromaculatus), as a proxy for other species abundant in rice paddies in the Republic of Korea. We determined that a slope of at least 70 degrees, with engraved patterns, was the only set-up from which frogs managed to escape. We recommend the implementation of this type of device in areas where a high concentration of animals is trapped, before phasing out the ancient design and relying on amphibian-friendly drainage ditches as they also support higher amphibian biodiversity. Full article
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