A Synthesis of Evidence of Drivers of Amphibian Declines

摘要: Early calls for robust long-term time series of amphibian population data, stemming from discussion following the first World Congress Herpetology, are now being realized after 25 yr focused research. Inference individual studies and locations have contributed to a basic consensus on drivers declines. Until recently there were no large-scale syntheses data test hypotheses about generality factors driving dynamics at broad spatial scales. Through U.S. Geological Survey's Powell Center Analysis Synthesis, we brought together group scientists elucidate mechanisms underlying declines in North America Europe. We used field collected across dozens study areas make inferences with these combined using hierarchical models. bring results four summarize our state knowledge declines, identify commonalities that suggest further avenues study, way forward addressing declines—by looking beyond specific how achieve stability remaining populations. The common thread is real but not ubiquitous, multiple drive relative importance each factor varies among species, populations, regions. also found climate an important driver dynamics. However, direction magnitude sensitivity change vary species ways unlikely explain overall rates decline. Thirty years initial identification major catastrophe global biodiversity, scientific community has empirically demonstrated reality problem, identified putative causes, provided evidence their impacts, invested broader-scale actions, attempted meta-analyses search out drivers. approach focuses key demographic may improve trends sites landscape.