This week’s blog is written by NatureScot’s new amphibian and reptile adviser, Catherine Whatley, and explores the fascinating world of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, lizards and snakes. Amphibians and reptiles occur on every continent except Antarctica, with more than 8,600 described species – but they are under threat.

This year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released the second global amphibian assessment – however, in the 20 years since the first assessment, there hasn’t been an awful lot of improvements despite extensive conservation efforts.

The main conclusions from the assessment are that:

• Amphibians are still the most threatened vertebrate group, with 41% of all species threatened with extinction.

• Salamanders and newts are most at risk with three-fifth species threatened with extinction.

• The number of amphibian extinctions is estimated to be 222.

• Habitat loss remains the most common threat, with 93% of all species affected.

• Other major threats include diseases such as chytrid fungus, as well as pollution, invasive species, and the effects of climate change.

• Amphibians are most commonly found in the neotropics (Central and South America), which is where the highest levels of these threats are found, often at the same time.

• Some amphibian species are showing signs of recovery in areas where critical habitat has been protected.

Much more drastic action needs to be taken to save these vital species. But why should people care about amphibians and want to save them?

Well firstly, I think they are very cute, and I find their biology fascinating – but as NatureScot’s reptile and amphibian advisor, I am probably biased. Luckily, even if you don’t find them as charming as I do, they are still vitally important for ecosystems globally, including here in Scotland.

Amphibians are important for the control of pest invertebrate species, and in turn, are important sources of food for other species such as reptiles, birds, and amphibians. This is due to a lack of feathers, fur, or scales – which makes them easily digestible. Tadpoles, as they metamorphose into adult frogs and leave the water, are responsible for the transfer of trophic nutrients from aquatic environments into terrestrial ones. They are also used as environmental indicators, as they are sensitive to changes in their environment.

Amphibians are also culturally significant across the globe, being important sources of food and medicine for people. We also owe many scientific advances to amphibians, such as the discovery of novel adhesives and painkillers. If species go extinct, who knows what potential discoveries may die with them.

Here is Scotland, we have a few very cool species, and fortunately for us, only one species – the Natterjack toad – is classed as endangered. That does not mean that our native reptiles and amphibians are safe however – climate change, disease, pollution, and habitat loss are all still major threats to UK amphibians as well as other wildlife.

The natterjack toad is only found on the Solway coast in Dumfries and Galloway, the most northern part of its range in the UK. They have specific habitat requirements, needing shallow pools and little vegetation around sand dunes and coastal marshes.

So what can we do here in Scotland to help? Adding a pond to your garden would be very welcome, as well as including bug-friendly plants to ensure a healthy food source! Avoid the use of pesticides and chemical treatments wherever possible, as these can spread into water sources and end up in ponds and waterways, as well as building up in food sources. If you are interested in amphibians, you can join local amphibian and reptile groups, and get volunteering. Local groups can be found on the Amphibian and Reptile Groups UK website.

It is very important to report reptile and amphibian species that you see! We have a lack of population number and species distribution data, especially in the more remote areas such as the Highlands and islands. You can report your sightings on databases such as the NBN Atlas, and the ARC Record Pool.

You can read more about the first and second IUCN global amphibian assessments, and the associated Nature paper here.  

We are also asking farmers, land managers, and crofters across Scotland to take part in our Scottish Adder Study, by letting ARC and NatureScot know about any adder sightings on their land in the last 30 years. Find out more and complete the short survey here.