Research from Trier University (Germany) shows that the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) in Colombia is one of the last refuges from the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis that has already caused severe amphibian biodiversity loss worldwide.

SNSM is isolated because of the climatic conditions in lowland regions surrounding it, but Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been identified in nearby regions and endangers many of the 48 amphibian species in SNSM, 25 of these species exist only there.

The researchers highlight the urgent need for proactive conservation action and the strict implementation of biosecurity to safeguard the unique and vast amphibian diversity of the SNSM.