Jordan has a low number of amphibians, with three surviving species to date: European Green toad (Bufotes viridis), Levant water frog (Pelophylax bedriagae), and the Lemon-yellow tree frog (Hyla savignyi). In addition, two species are considered to have been extirpated: the Southern banded newt (Ommatotriton vittatus) and the Eastern spadefoot (Pelobates syriacus). There are many threats that affect amphibians, but loss and/or fragmentation of habitat; pollution; and climatic change are the major ones. The main wetland areas in Jordan, such as the Jordan, Yarmouk, and Zarqa rivers, are subject to pollution from industrial and domestic discharges and agricultural runoff, and the volumes of water have decreased significantly due to a combination of factors, including the diversion of water for agricultural, industrial, and domestic use, as well as climatic change, specifically a rise in temperature and lowering of rates of precipitation. These continued threats, in addition to others, will adversely affect amphibian species and may lead to the creation of dispersed and fragmented populations that are more vulnerable to human-induced impacts and the impact of climatic change. This article identifies the measures adopted in Jordan to conserve these species and provides a comprehensive assessment of the current threats.

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Amphibians of Jordan: Conservation Status, Distribution, and Threats

  • Ehab Eid

摘要

Jordan has a low number of amphibians, with three surviving species to date: European Green toad (Bufotes viridis), Levant water frog (Pelophylax bedriagae), and the Lemon-yellow tree frog (Hyla savignyi). In addition, two species are considered to have been extirpated: the Southern banded newt (Ommatotriton vittatus) and the Eastern spadefoot (Pelobates syriacus). There are many threats that affect amphibians, but loss and/or fragmentation of habitat; pollution; and climatic change are the major ones. The main wetland areas in Jordan, such as the Jordan, Yarmouk, and Zarqa rivers, are subject to pollution from industrial and domestic discharges and agricultural runoff, and the volumes of water have decreased significantly due to a combination of factors, including the diversion of water for agricultural, industrial, and domestic use, as well as climatic change, specifically a rise in temperature and lowering of rates of precipitation. These continued threats, in addition to others, will adversely affect amphibian species and may lead to the creation of dispersed and fragmented populations that are more vulnerable to human-induced impacts and the impact of climatic change. This article identifies the measures adopted in Jordan to conserve these species and provides a comprehensive assessment of the current threats.