Source: DTE

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Context :

• 2% of amphibian species are already facing higher temperatures than they can tolerate.
  • • Amphibians are a species that can live both on land and in water.
• These species are found in shaded terrestrial habitats. But still they are suffering from overheating.

What are the Impact of Global Warming:

• If global temperatures rise by 4°C then 5% of the species studied could exceed their physiological limits & they could be at risk of extinction.

Amphibians and Climate Change:

• Amphibians are ectothermic. It means that they cannot regulate their body heat internally.
• They rely on their environment to stay cool.
• Climate change is dangerous for amphibians.
• Over 40% of species are already under threat due to rising temperatures.

What was Study Methodology:

• The researchers estimated the thermal limits of each species and their ability to tolerate extreme heat.
• The study also considered their daily body temperatures & the effects of heat on their habitats like land, water & trees.

What are the Findings on Heat Impact:

• The study found that tropical species in the Southern Hemisphere are the one which are most affected by overheating.
• Non tropical species in the Northern Hemisphere are more impacted by the heat as well.
• 2°C warming could be a tipping point after which the impact of heat becomes much worse.

Projected Overheating Days:

• Under 4°C global warming, Amphibians living in shady terrestrial areas could survive up to 207 warm days each year.
• Arboreal species (those that live in trees) could survive up to 76 warm days per year under the same warming conditions.

Microhabitats Provide Relief:

• Amphibians depend on cool microhabitats like shaded ground, vegetation, & water bodies to stay cool.
• Water helps them to avoid overheating by keeping their body temperature in a safe range.
• Deforestation, urbanization, and droughts reduce the availability of these cool areas. It is making it harder for amphibians to survive.

Local Extinctions Possible:

• Some species may not face overheating across their entire range. It is leading to local extinctions.
• This could affect the ecology of these areas. It is causing a loss of genetic diversity disruptions in the food chain & harming ecosystem health.

Need for Conservation:

• The study emphasizes the importance of protecting natural habitats areas with shaded ground, water bodies, & vegetation.
• Without these cooler microhabitats, amphibians will struggle to survive & negative effects of climate change will worsen.

Source: DTE