Amphibians and Reptiles 5.0 Amphibians and Reptiles Eighteen species of amphibians occur naturally in British Columbia. World-wide, amphibian populations have been in decline.
Many cases are directly explicable through habitat loss caused by human activities.
Many declines, however, have occurred in areas remote from humans and are not easily explained. Forests are cut, swamps are drained and wetlands are filled, and little attention is given to impacts on amphibian populations and diversity. Amongst amphibians, the habitat generalists such as the western toad, Bufo boreas are the most abundant and widespread. Others have very restricted ranges that require very specific environmental conditions. In British Columbia, there are 8 species of amphibians that are considered at risk and have been placed on the RED and BLUE lists.