Distant but similar: Simultaneous drop in the abundance of three independent amphibian communities

Amphibian species are declining worldwide, with a negative trend affecting both rare and widespread species. There is increasing evidence that resources must be allocated not only toward the monitoring of rare and charismatic species; however, the attention toward abundant species has often been minimal. Here, we describe the strong reduction in the numbers of several widespread amphibian species over the last 3 years observed in three independent amphibian monitoring studies conducted in an alpine, floodplain, and urban landscape in Italy, Germany, and Russia, respectively. The decline was particularly strong in juveniles, but adults and egg clutches were also affected. Such declining rates, if prolonged in the future years, will likely pose a serious threat to the populations' ability to recover and might increase extinction risk also in abundant and widespread species.

Automated summary

Amphibian species, both rare and widespread, are experiencing a global decline. This study examines the significant reduction in population numbers of several widespread amphibian species observed over the past 3 years in three independent monitoring studies conducted in Italy, Germany, and Russia. The decline is particularly severe among juveniles, but adults and eggs are also affected. If this trend continues, it could seriously hinder population recovery and increase the risk of extinction for abundant and widespread species.