A Comparative Study of Amphibian Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change

Abstract

Amphibians are among the most vulnerable taxa to the consequences of climate change due to their complex life cycles, which encompass both aquatic and terrestrial stages, their transparent skin, and their reliance on moisture. Amphibians in arid climates, tropical regions, and temperate zones all deal with climate change in their own unique ways. Physiological alterations such as changes in heat tolerance limits, metabolic flexibility, and changes in water retention are also investigated, along with behavioral modifications such as changes in breeding phenology, microhabitat selection, and nocturnal activity patterns. To achieve this, it integrates data from the field with ecological modeling and the most current findings from experiments. In order to determine the rate of adaptive evolution in amphibians, we also examine their genetic and epigenetic plasticity. Studying species with different levels of adaptability reveals that some populations are able to withstand threats like habitat loss, disease, and limited dispersal capacity, while other populations experience fast declines. The uneven distribution of adaptive capability within amphibian clades calls for conservation measures that include protected habitats, climate refugia, and assisted migration programs.