Climate change can have a range of unintended consequences, as demonstrated by a recent study on the impact of amphibian population collapses in Central America. The study found that declines in amphibian populations can lead to increases in malaria transmission, due to the loss of natural predators that keep mosquito populations in check.
Amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders, are known to feed on mosquito larvae and can significantly reduce mosquito populations in their habitats. However, climate change and other factors have led to significant declines in amphibian populations across the globe.
The study, which focused on the highlands of Guatemala, found that declines in amphibians led to an increase in malaria incidence, as mosquitoes were able to reproduce more freely without natural predators. The research highlights the complex interconnections between species and ecosystems, and underscores the need for holistic approaches to address the impacts of climate change.
Sources:
- Rohr, J. R., et al. (2019). Amphibian collapses increase malaria incidence in Central America. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(14), 6775-6784. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1819017116
- National Science Foundation. (2019, April 1). Study reveals surprising link between collapse of amphibian populations, malaria incidence. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298932
