This thesis is about understanding the processes that explain the patterns of
extinction risk and declines that we see in amphibians, how we can use that
understanding to set conservation priorities, and how we can convert those
priorities into practical, hands-on research and management. In particular, I
focus on the threat posed by the emerging infectious disease,
chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium
dendrobatidis (Bd).
Amphibians display a non-random pattern of extinction risk, both
taxonomically and geographically. In chapter two I investigate the mechanism
behind the observed taxonomic selectivity and find that it is due to species
biology rather than heterogeneity in either threat intensity or conservation
knowledge.
In chapter three I determine which biological and environmental traits are
important in rendering a species susceptible to declines, focussing on
susceptibility to Bd. I found that restricted range, high elevation species with
an aquatic life-stage are more likely to have suffered a decline. Using these
traits, I predict species and locations that may be susceptible in the future,
and which should therefore be a high priority for amphibian research and
conservation
