Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System

We assessed amphibian diversity, rarity, and threats across the National Park System (U.S.A.), which covers 3.5% of the country and 12% of federal lands. At least 230 of 354 (65%) amphibian species documented in the country occur on National Park Service lands. Of species in parks, 17% are at-risk globally and 20% are uncategorized, reflecting still-widespread data deficiencies. National parks in the Northwest and Northeast had the steepest species‒area relationships. Non-native crayfishes and amphibians occur within 50 km of 60% and 25% of parks, respectively, illustrating the broad threat of non-native predators. Projected mid-century (2040-2069) changes in climatic water deficit, based on 25 climate futures, produced an expected 34% increase in dryness across all national parks in the conterminous U.S.A. Our analyses highlight the extent and regional differences in current and future threats and reveal gaps in species protection, but also reveal opportunities for targeted expansion and active management.

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Publication Details

Journal
npj Biodiversity
Published
2024-11-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-024-00067-1
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Amphibian and Reptile Biology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.57

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article

Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System

Blake R. Hossack, Robert N. Fisher, Andrew M. Ray, Benjamin LaFrance et al.
2 citations
npj Biodiversity
Amphibian and Reptile Biology
0.57
article

Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System

Blake R. Hossack, Robert N. Fisher, Andrew M. Ray, Benjamin LaFrance, Michael T. Tercek
article en
2 citations

Abstract

We assessed amphibian diversity, rarity, and threats across the National Park System (U.S.A.), which covers 3.5% of the country and 12% of federal lands. At least 230 of 354 (65%) amphibian species documented in the country occur on National Park Service lands. Of species in parks, 17% are at-risk globally and 20% are uncategorized, reflecting still-widespread data deficiencies. National parks in the Northwest and Northeast had the steepest species‒area relationships. Non-native crayfishes and amphibians occur within 50 km of 60% and 25% of parks, respectively, illustrating the broad threat of non-native predators. Projected mid-century (2040-2069) changes in climatic water deficit, based on 25 climate futures, produced an expected 34% increase in dryness across all national parks in the conterminous U.S.A. Our analyses highlight the extent and regional differences in current and future threats and reveal gaps in species protection, but also reveal opportunities for targeted expansion and active management.

npj BiodiversityVol. 3(1)
United States Geological Survey (US), National Park Service (US), Rocky Mountain Research (United States) (US), Western Ecological Research Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, University of Montana (US)
U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service
Openalex Percentile: Top 32%
Amphibian and Reptile Biology
0.57
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