Why Colombia’s Sierra Nevada Frogs Defy Global Amphibian Extinction Crisis

While 41% of amphibian species worldwide face extinction, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia stands out as a refuge. This isolated mountain range hosts at least 48 amphibian species, 25 of which are endemic—found nowhere else on Earth. The region’s thriving populations offer a stark contrast to the devastating losses caused by chytrid fungus across Central and South American highlands. Researchers are studying this unique ecosystem to understand why its frogs have escaped the mass extinction affecting amphibians globally. The findings could inform conservation strategies for vulnerable species elsewhere. The Sierra Nevada’s survival story underscores the importance of protecting isolated habitats that may hold the key to resilience.