# The Multifaceted Importance of Amphibians: Ecological, Biomedical, and Socio-Economic Perspectives

## TL;DR

Amphibians are crucial for ecosystems and human health, but many are at risk of extinction due to environmental threats, and new strategies are needed to protect them.

## Contribution

This review integrates ecological, biomedical, and socio-economic perspectives to frame amphibian conservation as essential for ecosystem and human well-being.

## Key findings

- Amphibians regulate invertebrate populations and support biodiversity through trophic interactions.
- Their permeable skin and life cycles make them sensitive bioindicators of environmental change.
- Conservation efforts should include technologies like remote sensing and citizen science for better monitoring.

## Abstract

Amphibians—including frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians—are declining at an alarming pace globally, raising serious concerns for biodiversity and ecosystem health. Scientists estimate that over 40% of amphibian species are now threatened with extinction. This rapid loss necessitates an integrated, multi-faceted conservation mechanism for amphibians. Our review synthesizes the importance of amphibians from biodiversity, ecosystem health, and human well-being perspectives. Amphibians play important roles in regulating insect pests, nutrient cycling, and serve as prey for numerous species. They also have medical value because their skin contains compounds that may lead to new medicines. Unfortunately, habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and diseases are driving many populations to decline. We gathered current knowledge about the roles amphibians play in the wild and explained how their decline can impact ecosystems. We also highlighted how new technologies such as satellite remote sensing and geo-spatial sciences as well as citizen science can help track these changes and support conservation efforts. Importantly, we call for improved public awareness and educational programs, use of indigenous knowledge, and stronger policies that recognize amphibians not just as endangered species, but as vital parts of functioning ecosystems. Protecting these sensitive animals is not only about preserving amphibians but also about protecting nature’s balance and our own health.

Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrate groups globally, with over 40% of species at risk of extinction. However, a gap remains in understanding how to effectively develop and implement amphibian conservation strategies at local and global scales to minimize extinction risk. This review synthesizes multidisciplinary evidence to frame amphibian conservation as a priority not only for species preservation but for safeguarding ecosystem functioning and human well-being. Drawing on ecological, physiological, biomedical, and technological literature, we highlight the foundational roles amphibians play in various biomes: regulating invertebrate populations, mediating nutrient and energy flows, modifying physical habitats, and supporting biodiversity through trophic interactions. Their dual aquatic–terrestrial life cycles and highly permeable skin make them highly sensitive to environmental change, positioning them as bioindicators for ecosystem health. We further explore emerging tools and concepts such as environmental metabolomics, remote sensing, and citizen science for monitoring population trends and environmental stressors. Additionally, we discuss conservation challenges in relation to land-use change, climate disruption, invasive species, emerging diseases, and institutional underinvestment. We argue for the recognition of amphibians as ecological allies and the increased integration of amphibian conservation into broader frameworks such as ecosystem service valuation, climate resilience planning, and public health policy improvement. Finally, we identify key research gaps and suggest future directions to remedy these oversights, including the incorporation of traditional knowledge, socio-cultural engagement, and technological innovations for sustainable amphibian conservation. Realizing this vision will require globally coordinated, locally grounded strategies that fuse scientific insight, inclusive governance, and long-term investment—ensuring that amphibian conservation advances ecosystem stability and benefits both nature and society.