The Global Amphibian Decline:
Trends, Causes, and Challenges

Common midwife toad
(Alytes obstetricans)
photo by Michael Frede

Global Trends
North America
Central and South America
Australia
Europe

Causes
Habitat Modification
Exotic Species
Acidification and Toxic Contiminants
Ultraviolet Radiation
Climate Change
Pathogens

Challenges

Bibliography

Links

Regional Trends: Europe

Europe has largely escaped the widespread and dramatic declines that have occurred in other regions. Unlike other parts of the world, no species in Europe has gone extinct in the midst of the current global decline. However, though very unusual, some declines have taken place nonetheless. Since the 1980s, reported incidents of unusual mass mortalities declines of the common frog (Rana temporaria) have increased, even though it is still Europe's most abundant frog. During the same period, mass mortalities were also reported for the common toad (Bufo bufo). In the mid-1990s, several mass mortality events of common midwife toads (Alytes obstetricans, above) occurred in the Pyrenean Mountains in Spain, including sites within the Penalara National Park. The European tree frog (Hyla arborea) is also widely distributed in Europe, but in recent years its populations have declined dramatically in northwestern Europe.

Other European species have declined less dramatically and are directly the result of habitat destruction. Populations of the crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) in Britain have gradually decreased over the last 30 years as breeding sites are consumed by agricultural or building development. Natterjack toads have also been the victim of long-term acidification of ponds in Britain.