Amphibian populations are declining worldwide, and pesticide use is one of the suspected causes. Pesticides can be toxic to amphibians at all life stages, and exposure can occur through water, soil, food, or air. Pesticides can cause direct mortality, interfere with the ability to reproduce, and have indirect negative effects on growth, development, metamorphosis, and behavior.

Numerous studies have found that pesticide exposure can negatively affect amphibians, even at low concentrations. For example, in a study of the effects of the herbicide atrazine on African clawed frogs, researchers found that exposure to atrazine at concentrations as low as 0.1 parts per billion (ppb) could significantly reduce the number of eggs that hatched and the size of the tadpoles. In another study, researchers found that exposure to the pesticide malathion could alter the behavior of tadpoles, making them less responsive to predators.

Pesticides can also have indirect effects on amphibians. For example, some pesticides can reduce the availability of food for amphibians, while others can alter the water quality or acidity of their environment. Pesticides can also interact with other environmental stressors, such as climate change, to further increase the negative impacts on amphibians.

Overall, the evidence suggests that pesticide exposure is contributing to the decline of amphibian populations worldwide. This is a serious concern because amphibians are an essential part of many ecosystems, and their population decline can have cascading effects on other species and the environment as a whole.