Functional and genetic responses of amphibians to disturbances caused by human activities

Abstract

Environmental disturbances of anthropic origin have most commonly had negative effects on biotic communities. However, there are also some positive responses. Understanding the mechanisms by which these disturbances influence the patterns of diversity and genetic structure, as well as potential local adaptations, is essential to establish conservation plans that ensure the persistence of species on the long term. Functional traits allow us to understand the interaction between the environment and the species. Amphibians are an excellent model to study these interactions, given that they are ectotherms and present multiple traits related to their life histories. Here we review scientific literature regarding multiple amphibian responses to human disturbance from a functional perspective. We found that disturbances have negative, neutral, or positive effects depending on the species, related to peculiar amphibian traits and the nature and magnitude of the disturbance. Thus, it is incorrect to generalize the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on amphibians, and this interaction should be analyzed more cautiously considering functional traits. We also observed that several of the resilient species in disturbed areas show some tolerance to environmental changes, which may be associated with local adaptations. Based on the patterns we identified, we provide insights of the advantages and limitations of analyzing anuran communities from a functional perspective and suggest several directions for future research.