Title
A conservation reassessment of the amphibians of Mexico based on the EVS measure
Publication Date
Spring 6-10-2013
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Global amphibian population decline is one of the better documented symptoms of biodiversity loss on our planet, and one of the environmental super-problems humans have created. Most people believe that we should manage nature for our benefit, instead of understanding that we are part of the natural world and depend on it for our survival. As a consequence, humans keep unraveling Earth’s life-support systems, and to reverse this trend must begin to develop a sustainable existence. Given this reality, we examine the conservation status of the 378 species of amphibians in Mexico, by using the Environmental Vulnerability Score (EVS) algorithm. We summarize and critique the IUCN Red List Assessments for these creatures, calculate their EVS, and compare the results of both conservation assessments. We also compare the EVS for Mexican amphibians with those recently reported for Mexican reptiles, and conclude that both groups are highly imperiled, especially the salamanders, lizards, and turtles. The response of humans to these global imperatives has been lackluster, even though biological scientists worldwide have called attention to the grave prospects for the survival of life on our planet. As part of the global community, Mexico must realize the effects of these developments and the rapid, comprehensive need to conserve the country's hugely significant herpetofauna. Based on this objective, we provide five broad-based recommendations.