Photo credit: D Herasimtschuk
As climate change accelerates, animals across the globe are being forced to adapt. But the current climate trajectory means the speed at which animals are adapting is slower than the rate of environmental change.
As the world reflects on environmental challenges during Earth Month, researchers are turning the spotlight on lesser-known victims of climate change – including amphibians.
According to Dr Nicholas Wu rising temperatures don't just bring heat – they also increase the risk of drying out Australia's frogs.
"Basically, amphibians are in double trouble in the face of climate change," said ecophysiologist Dr Wu, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Western Sydney University's Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment.
"Other animals will also experience an increase in warming and drying, but amphibians are particularly sensitive to these two factors, making them very vulnerable to climate change."
Many animal populations responding to climate change are either declining or moving to more suitable habitats, either up mountains where it is cooler, or moving to higher latitudes further from the equator. Some species are more adaptable than others.
"Amphibians are slower at dispersing than most other animals, so they either have to tolerate the changing environment or adapt to it. Long-term risks include local extinctions, changes in community composition, and potential ecosystem collapse."
Australia's unique wildlife is particularly vulnerable. As the impacts of climate change grow, invasive species are gaining ground.
"Climate change is shifting Australia's biodiversity that benefits invasive species – like weeds, feral cats, foxes, deer, and rabbits – while also increasing disease risk, such as chytridiomycosis and tick diseases, causing an imbalance of ecosystems, including loss of coral reefs, and alpine diversity."
A recent study co-authored by Dr Wu and published in the prestigious Nature journal found frogs in Northern Australia (Darwin, Cairns, and the Kimberley) are at high risk to warmer temperatures.
Another study he led highlighted that frogs in Southwestern Australia (Perth) and Southeastern Australia (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra) are at high risk to increasing drought.
Dr Wu says the most effective action is to preserve or restore the natural habitats that animals have already adapted to. This will provide some buffer to allow animals like amphibians to adapt to a changing climate.
"Habitat modification – like land clearing and urbanisation – removes the microhabitats such as shade, rocks, burrows, trees, and ponds that the animals use to shelter in and protect themselves during the hottest part of the day. By providing those microhabitats back, this will help amphibians better buffer the effects of climate warming."
As an ecophysiologist, Dr Wu's work focuses on the physiological responses of animals to environmental change – a vital tool in understanding what's really driving species decline.
"Physiology acts as a filter between the environment and animal, and therefore allows ecophysiologists like myself to tease apart the underlying cause for conservation efforts."
"For example, if we observe butterfly populations declining over time and also an increase in temperature, how do we know that the butterfly populations are declining due to an increase in temperature? Understanding the physiology, such as the temperature-sensitivity of biological processes allows researchers to determine the cause of the population declines.
"This research area motivates me because it has clear implications for informing evidence-based management plans and accurately predicting how future populations will respond to climate change."
