Conservation needs of amphibians in China: a review.
The conservation status of all the amphibians in China is analyzed, and the country is shown to be a global priority for conservation in comparison to many other countries of the world. Three Chinese regions are particularly rich in amphibian diversity: Hengduan, Nanling, and Wuyi mountains. Salamanders are more threatened than frogs and toads. Several smaller families show a high propensity to become seriously threatened: Bombinatoridae, Cryptobranchidae, Hynobiidae and Salamandridae. Like other parts of the world, stream-breeding, high-elevation forest amphibians have a much higher likelihood of being seriously threatened. Habitat loss, pollution, and over-harvesting are the most serious threats to Chinese amphibians. Over-harvesting is a less pervasive threat than habitat loss, but it is more likely to drive a species into rapid decline. Five conservation challenges are mentioned with recommendations for the highest priority research and conservation actions.
Xie
Feng
F
Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China. xiefeng@cib.ac.cn
Lau
Michael Wai Neng
MW
Stuart
Simon N
SN
Chanson
Janice S
JS
Cox
Neil A
NA
Fischman
Debra L
DL
D000663:Amphibians / Q000145:classification; D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000639:trends*; D005843:Geography; D011898:Ranidae / Q000145:classification; D014562:Caudata / Q000145:classification