Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate class on earth, with The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species listing 40% of species threatened with extinction. Habitat loss and degradation, pollution, disease, invasive species, use and trade and climate change are among the main threats putting amphibians at risk of extinction. While habitat loss is the most ubiquitous threat, there are new and potentially devastating combinations of threats that are emerging as a result of our modern and globalized systems and associated activities, such as emerging infectious diseases and trade. The nature of some of these threats is global, and even those that take place at local scales may be driven by global economies of scale. Because of this, understanding amphibian declines and extinctions in a global context as well as a local one are keys to help support amphibian conservation efforts on the ground.
IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group
The IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG) is the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) global volunteer network of dedicated experts who donate their time and expertise to create a community from where practical amphibian conservation can be advanced based on a solid foundation of science. This network currently consists of over 300 members in over 40 Regions/Countries, enabling the ASG to act on a global scale.
Our mission
The Amphibian Specialist Group provides the scientific foundation to inform effective amphibian conservation action around the world. More specifically, the ASG stimulates, develops and conducts scientific research to inform the conservation of amphibians and their habitats around the world, supports the assessment of the conservation status of amphibian biodiversity and informs the general public of amphibian conservation-related issues and priorities. This is attained by supporting and mobilizing a global network of members to develop capacity, improve coordination and integration so as to achieve shared, strategic amphibian conservation goals.
How does the ASG work?
The ASG has several strategic components that allow it to take a multi-pronged approach to global amphibian research and conservation. You will find links to some of ASG’s key components (Thematic Working Groups, Regional Working Groups and Red List Authority) at the top of this page.
For information on the organization of ASG and how it works please refer to the 2019-2020 Strategic Plan.