The political economy of amphibian declines

Recent conservation research stresses the importance of examining economic growth as an underlyingdriver of biodiversity loss. With exceptions, herpetological research on the causes of amphibian declines, endangerments,and extinction risks tends to focus on proximate rather than underlying drivers. This paper connects proximatecauses of amphibian declines to structural attributes of modern societies, specifically a growth-dependent economic system.Amphibian declines caused by habitat modification, climate change, contaminants, and commercial use are all inpart driven by “the treadmill of production” — capitalism’s systemic need to constantly expand. Recognizing the negativeimpacts of a growth-dependent economy on amphibians has important implications for conservation strategies.