Jakarta, IO – The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) warned that ignoring population declines and the extinction of certain amphibian species in the world will have a direct impact on humans.
Amir Hamidy, the director of BRIN Secretariat of Scientific Authority for Biodiversity, explained that amphibians play a critical role in controlling insect populations. Thus, their extinction will have an impact on increasing insect populations which will affect human health and agricultural crop failure, per Brin.go.id, Fri (22/3).
Aside from that, protecting and restoring amphibians can also solve the climate crisis because cold-blooded animals help maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
The main causes of the decline in global amphibian populations are habitat damage due to agricultural activities (affecting 77% of species), timber harvesting activities (53%), and infrastructure development (40%). Climate change (29%) and disease (29%) are also contributing factors.
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To date, 37 amphibian species around the world have been extinct. “Political will and commitment from relevant stakeholders as well as increased investment are vital in reversing the continuing trend of the amphibian population decline,” said Amir. (bp)