Climate Change May Put Mountain Lakes and Amphibians at Risk

Climate change may cause amphibians quite a bit of harm. Scientists have found that the dry year in the Pacific Northwest lowlands may affect the region's amphibians due to loss of mountain pond habitat.

"This year is an analog for the 2070s in terms of the conditions of the ponds in response to climate," said Se-Yeun Lee, one of the researchers, in a news release.

Mountain ponds are oases in the otherwise harsh alpine environment. Brilliant green patches amid the rocks and heather. These ponds are breeding grounds for amphibians. However, if these ponds were to disappear then these amphibians would be in danger.

In this latest study, the researchers developed a new model that forecasts changes to four different types of these ecosystems. The results revealed that climate-induced reductions in snowpack, increased evaporation rates, longer summer droughts and other factors will likely lead to the loss or rapid drying of many of these small but ecologically important wetlands.

So what species are at risk? The Cascades frog, in particular, may face challenges. These frogs can normally live for more than 20 years and survive under tends of feet of snow. Without these ponds and wetlands, though, these animals may face reduced numbers.

"It's hard to truly quantify the effects of losing these ponds because they provide so many services and resources to so many species, including us," said Maureen Ryan, one of the researchers. "Many people have predicted that they are especially vulnerable to climate change. Our study shows that these concerns are warranted."

The findings are published in the journal PLOS One.

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