Impact of fungal panzootic and mitigation efforts on amphibian biodiversity

In Chapter 1, I show that a slowly increasing number of species infected by <i>Bd</i>-chytridiomycosis are worsening in IUCN Red List threatened category in temperate regions, whereas the number of species impacted in equatorial regions has stabilised. We propose that whereas equatorial regions experienced mass declines that spread and peaked very quickly decades ago, colder and seasonal climates in lower biodiversity temperate regions have continued to act as natural lock-downs, slowing disease spread.

With <i>Bd</i> an increasing threat in temperate areas and a persisting threat to populations in equatorial areas, interventions to mitigate disease impact is of paramount importance. Using a novel methodology to assign success scores to <i>Bd</i>-chytridiomycosis treatment trials, in Chapter 2, my analyses reveal that interventions have been predominantly trialed <i>ex situ</i> and across regions of the Global North, whereas interventions <i>in situ</i> and in the Global South are severely lacking.

Yet, both existing antifungal treatments and novel experimental treatments show promise. In Chapter 3, the methodology developed above is explored further as a generalisable workflow termed the Root/Additional Metric, or RoAM, constructor to support metric formulation and decision-making across fields, extending the potential reach of this work beyond macro-ecology and conservation science to any discipline in which a custom metric for goal achievement is required.

Collectively, my PhD thesis aims to make a contribution to the research into the dynamics and mitigation of <i>Bd</i>-chytridiomycosis, to signpost possible future avenues of research, and to highlight the positive progress that has been made towards tackling such a devastating disease.