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Amphibians as Indicators Enhancing the Site Specific and National Population Viability of Threatened Upper Elevation Amphibian Species of the Maya Mountains Massif in Belize Wildtracks Historical recognition of the value of amphibians as indicators • Permeable skin • Complex bi-phasic life cycles in many • Trophic position & biomagnification 2004 Global Amphibian Assessment • 1/3 of amphibians globally are ‘species of international concern’ (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable - IUCN) • A further 18% are considered ‘Near Threatened’ • A further 22% are considered ‘Data Deficient’ What does this indicate? Amphibian declines are interpreted as indicative of broadscale environmental degradation, but are not easily attributed to a single cause Implications for humans – particularly relating to: Pollution – drinking water sources Climate change – shifting rainfall patterns Why are Amphibians Declining in MesoAmerica? Climate Change? Pollution? Chytrid infection? Land use change? Increased UV Light? Effects of Acid Rain? What is the Situation in Belize? Belize’s Amphibian Species of Concern IUCN Category Species Critically Endangered Agalychnis moreletii Morelet's Treefrog Endangered Craugastor sabrinus Sabrinus Rainfrog Eleutherodactylus sandersoni Sanderson's Rainfrog Bromeliohyla bromeliacia Bromeliad Treefrog Craugastor psephosypharus Limestone Rainfrog Craugastor alfredi Alfred’s Rainfrog Eleutherodactylus leprus Leprus Chirping Rainfrog Vulnerable Belize’s Amphibian Species of Concern IUCN Category Species Near Threatened Bolitoglossa dofleini Doflein's Salamander Craugastor chac Chac's Rainfrog Craugastor laticeps Broadhead Rainfrog Bufo campbelli Campbell's Rainforest Toad Smilisca cyanosticta Blue-spotted Mexican Treefrog Rana juliani Maya Mountain Frog Belize’s Amphibian Species of Concern Agalychnis moreletii Craugastor alfredi Eleutherodactylus sandersoni Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Near Threatened Smilisca cyanosticta Craugastor sabrinus Eleutherodactylus leprus Rana juliani Bufo campbelli Craugastor chac Craugastor psephosypherus Craugastor laticeps Bolitoglossa dofleini Wildtracks Conservation Programme [email protected]. Photographs: Paul Walker, Paul Edgar, High Level of Habitat Protection Intact Habitats Intact Habitats If amphibians are to be used as indicators of environmental health, it is important to have a valid baseline for monitoring activities Health Relative abundance and temporal fluctuations Distributions Requirements and tolerances Habitat associations Threats What is the Situation in Belize? This study looks at the amphibian species of concern of the Maya Mountains Massif, and is developing baseline information to form the basis for ongoing monitoring. Survey Sites across the system Improved Distribution Data for Monitoring Site level surveys provide improved knowledge of species distributions Baseline data on Amphibian health Swabbing to detect chytrid infection Detection of visible disease / malformation Baseline data on Environmental quality: Habitat degradation Water quality Baseline data on Climate: Climate variables Despite the near pristine nature of the Maya Mountains Massif, preliminary results are showing: High levels of organo-phoshate pollution on peaks across the Massif Broadscale chytrid infection of the amphibian populations tested NB. These are very preliminary results Pollution - Glyphosate Mean = >1.255 Max = >5 ppb Mean = 0.620 Max = 1.471 Mean = 0.797 Max = 1.168 Max = 0.221 Mean = 0.545 Max = 0.622 Mean = 0.626 Max = 0.931 First Results Glyphosate levels, summer 2007, in p.p.b. Baseline data on threats Agalychnis moreletii – A Critically Endangered Species
