Landslide Impacts on Amphibian Habitats in Korea

This research article assesses the impacts of landslides on amphibian habitats in the Republic of Korea under various climate change scenarios. It develops a nationwide landslide susceptibility map based on historical data from 2010 to 2019 and evaluates the spatial relationship between high-risk landslide zones and the distributions of 12 amphibian species observed from 2006 to 2018. The study employs machine-learning algorithms to produce individual susceptibility maps and combines them to generate a final landslide susceptibility map. It also projects future shifts in landslide hazards and amphibian habitat suitability under SSP2 and SSP5 climate scenarios for mid-century and late-century periods. The findings indicate significant habitat loss for several amphibian species, with some experiencing over 90% loss of habitat area within landslide susceptibility areas. The study underscores the need for species-specific conservation strategies to address the varying impacts of climate-driven landslide dynamics on amphibian populations.