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

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...

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Main Authors: Benjamin J. LaFrance, Andrew M. Ray, Michael T. Tercek, Robert N. Fisher, Blake R. Hossack
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:npj Biodiversity
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-024-00067-1
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author Benjamin J. LaFrance
Andrew M. Ray
Michael T. Tercek
Robert N. Fisher
Blake R. Hossack
author_facet Benjamin J. LaFrance
Andrew M. Ray
Michael T. Tercek
Robert N. Fisher
Blake R. Hossack
author_sort Benjamin J. LaFrance
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-9874c293ce7643cf98a286026eefcda72024-11-24T12:30:27ZengNature Portfolionpj Biodiversity2731-42432024-11-01311910.1038/s44185-024-00067-1Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park SystemBenjamin J. LaFrance0Andrew M. Ray1Michael T. Tercek2Robert N. Fisher3Blake R. Hossack4National Park Service, Greater Yellowstone NetworkNational Park Service, Southern Plains NetworkWalking Shadow EcologyU.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research CenterU.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science CenterAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-024-00067-1
spellingShingle Benjamin J. LaFrance
Andrew M. Ray
Michael T. Tercek
Robert N. Fisher
Blake R. Hossack
Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System
npj Biodiversity
title Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System
title_full Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System
title_fullStr Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System
title_full_unstemmed Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System
title_short Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System
title_sort amphibian richness rarity threats and conservation prospects across the u s national park system
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-024-00067-1
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