Disease, drought, and warming: A triple threat to a declining high-elevation amphibian

Ecology and Evolution
By: , and 

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Abstract

Managing species in an uncertain future is a reality for natural resource decision makers. Climate change is expected to exacerbate threats such as habitat loss and disease, and cause phenological mismatches, but there is uncertainty in the magnitude of these effects. Amphibians are among the most threatened taxa on earth, and most species in North America are uniquely tied to water availability for breeding, larval development, thermal refugia, and food availability. Changes in water availability and temperature may result in phenological mismatches with one or more of these processes. Thus, quantifying the dependency of amphibians to water on the landscape is critical to understanding how species may respond, as well as understanding the interplay with other threats, such as disease. We developed a dynamic co-occurrence occupancy model to explore the effects of climate change on the breeding occurrence of boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas) and the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Bd) in the southern Rocky Mountains (SRM). We derived novel covariates to test hypotheses related to multi-generational impacts of climate on the dynamics of both boreal toad breeding and Bd. We report estimates of current (2001–2019) and future (2055–2069) occupancy under a range of plausible climate scenarios. The probability of boreal toad breeding occurrence at a site in the SRM declined > 40% from 2001 to 2019, and further declines are likely under future scenarios, particularly as active season length increases. To help integrate this information into management, we developed a web-based decision support tool to summarize predicted future hydrological and occupancy conditions.

Suggested Citation

Kissel, A.M., Lacey, L.M., Popescu, V.D., Dyck, M.A., Bailey, L., and Muths, E., 2026, Disease, drought, and warming: A triple threat to a declining high-elevation amphibian: Ecology and Evolution, v. 16, no. 6, e73767, 16 p., https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73767.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Disease, drought, and warming: A triple threat to a declining high-elevation amphibian
Series title Ecology and Evolution
DOI 10.1002/ece3.73767
Volume 16
Issue 6
Publication Date June 04, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Fort Collins Science Center
Description e73767, 16 p.
Country United States
State Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming
Other Geospatial southern Rocky Mountain Region
Additional publication details