Population declines and priorities for amphibian conservation in Latin America

Although dramatic amphibian population declines have been reported worldwid e, our understanding of the extent of the declines in Latin America, where amphibian diversity is high, is limited to a few well-documented studies. T o better understand the geographic extent of declines, their possible cause s, and the measures needed to improve Latin American scientists' ability to research the phenomenon and make effective management recommendations, we convened three regional workshops with 88 Latin American herpetologists and conservationists. Population declines are widespread in Latin America. At least 13 countries have experienced declines, and in 40 cases species are n ow thought to be extinct or extirpated in a country where they once occurre d. Declines or extinctions have affected 30 genera and nine families of amp hibians. Most declines have occurred in remote highlands, above 500 m in el evation in Central America and above 1000 m In the Andes. Most documented d eclines occurred in the 1980s. Of the possible causes studied to date, clim ate change appears to be important at one site and chytrid fungal disease h as been identified at sites in three countries. Although many monitoring st udies are currently underway in a variety of habitats, most studies are rec ent and of short duration. In a signed resolution, workshop participants ca lled for greater collaboration and communication among scientists working i n Latin America to understand the geographic extent of population declines and the distribution of possible causal factors. In situ conservation is im portant to protect habitats, but captive-rearing programs for species subje ct to imminent extinction are also needed. Better understanding of the taxo nomy and natural history of amphibians and more funding for research and mo nitoring are critical to developing a scientific basis for management actio n to arrest and reverse population declines.