SUAKCREM: '101 Species Vulnerable to Climate Change'

An article co-authored by the former Director of the Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management (SUAKCREM) and a researcher of the same Center points to the vulnerability of 101 species to climate change.

“Vulnerability of Philippine Amphibians to Climate Change”, which was recently published in the ISI and Scopus-listed journal, Philippine Journal of Science (Vol. 141 [1]: 77-87), contains the authors’ analysis of species’ vulnerability, based on the life history and known microhabitats of Philippine amphibians.

Former SUAKCREM Director and Professor Emeritus Dr. Angel C. Alcala and SUAKCREM researcher Mr. Abner Bucol co-authored the article, together with herpetologists Dr. Arvin Diesmos of the Philippine National Museum and Dr. Rafe Brown of the University of Kansas.

In an announcement issued by SUAKCREM Acting Director Dr. Ely Alcala on the publication of the article, he shared that, in consideration also of the predictions of climatologists, the authors’ analysis in the article “resulted in the finding that 101 of 107 species (94-39%) are vulnerable in various degrees to climate change. Only six species, all common species often associated with human habitations, are not vulnerable.”

“Philippine amphibians occur mostly in tropical rainforests, which are for the most part degraded and/or fragmented, and are easily affected by excessive rainfall and drought, both of which characterize climate change. The high dependence of the majority of the Philippine amphibians on water or moisture makes them vulnerable to the two climatic variables,” he explained.

The authors, however, stressed that their findings are subject to further research, both in the field and in the laboratory.