The survival of the amphibians around the world is facing all types of threat. From geological scale, the scope of these relentless threats ranges from global phenomenon such as climate changes, to local factors, such as being run over by cars on the way to spawning pool. The answer to the question of what is to be done and who will do it regarding protecting the amphibians, must depend on the scale of how the proposed conservation is guided. If the decline in the numbers of amphibians is indeed due to climate changes, there is an increase in ultraviolet radiation, or acid rain, then the the way to resolve the issue is holding in the hands of the rulers and global organizations. They must find the most appropriate approach through international treaties and conventions. Individual and local groups have limited contribution against these threats; it is more tangible to raise the volume to hasten the political leaders to raise the importance of environmental issues on the agenda.
Even so, there are still good deeds that many small groups formed by many local conservationists have done to protect and to help the amphibians. Certain groups would protect the amphibians at night in the spring season during the migration to protect them from vehicles on the road in many areas in England , Europe and North America . A number of these groups have even successfully convinced the authority to close a section of very important road at an appropriate time in some of these regions. Another strategy to address this threat is to build tunnels under the road, which help the amphibians to reach breeding grounds safely with proper design and arrangement.
Vanishing habitats can be compensated with habitat reconstruction on a small scale. Studies conducted in Britain and the United States have shown rapid gathering of newts, frogs and toads in the new ponds established in agricultural lands. Even the tiny pond in the garden may be adequate to support the survival of amphibian groups, but the condition is not to place fish in the ponds. It is estimated that a relatively large ratio of common frog communities living in garden ponds and not in their natural habitat in the UK . The amphibians can be a surprising gift in the garden; the Common Toad has been called the “best gardening friend” since they feed on slugs and harmful insects.
The conservationists must note that most amphibians would spend a small amount of time in water; therefore, establishing an appropriate terrestrial habitat is as important as building new ponds. Since we know little of the morphology of terrestrial amphibians, we usually conduct the construction of appropriate habitat by speculation.
Endangered species are given different levels of legal protection in many developed countries. For example, gathering or hunting for Crested newt or Natterjack toad is illegal. More importantly, their spawning is usually protected. Developers who intend to destroy the pond must pay in mitigation measures; such as establishing a pond for the migration of a threatened group in other locations.
A few amphibians are successfully restored in the natural environment through captive breeding and release; the process must be conducted under close interaction with the measures to protect habitats. Amphibians have this great restoration potential is due to their high fecundity. During captive breeding, the high mortality rate caused by predators in the natural setting can be avoided leading to mass production of the animals. The Alytes muletensis is restored using this method and Australia is using the same procedures to protect the endangered Corroboree toadlets (Pseudophryne corroboree).
The amphibians need a set of their own conservative measures for prevention in terms of the declining numbers due to diseases. Fungal diseases such as chytridiomycosis may be cured with medication for human tinea pedis! Nevertheless, this treatment strategy offers little help in protecting natural groups. Further, there is one possibility that the herpetologists seeking conservation for the amphibians are the ones who brought spores accidentally through their rubber boots or from the gathering equipment, and spread the disease. Many organizations, such as the Declining Amphibian Population Task Force, have issued guidance to attempt the local spread of amphibian diseases. From the perspective of the international level, there are activities to control and reduce amphibian migration around the world to attempt reducing the chance of diseases spreading from one country or one continent to another.
The natural protective area is an outstanding method of conversation for amphibians, even though they are unable to protect the threats faced by many amphibians. Among these important issues is how the conservation area should be designed to provide the ideal environment for the amphibians. Despite of being guarded closely, populations may be based on a single breeding ground may ultimately face extinction due to inbreeding. Many amphibians require network systems connected by breeding grounds that provide relatively easy crossing; this is to maintain a high level of genetic diversity.
Although there are many works that can be done, and are being done on a local, national and international level, most have anticipations more than expectations for success. A true and efficient conservation requires a deep understanding of the ecology. Unfortunately, there are many aspects of amphibian ecology that are still exceedingly being ignored. We do not even know how to answer this simple question for most of the amphibians: where do they go during the non-breeding seasons?