HerpTrust: Improving resilience to climate and human-induced threats through nursing positive Human-Herpetofauna Interactions

Reptiles and amphibians, collectively referred to as herpetofauna, are globally threatened by a myriad of anthropogenic pressures. Climate change poses a major threat since these species are ectothermic, meaning that they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature, adjusting their behaviour to remain in the sun or shade. Higher temperatures resulting from climate change are forcing them to alter their behaviour and are causing range shifts from their current distribution. Other major challenges include habitat fragmentation and degradation, as well as persecution due to misinformation and unfounded fear of these species. Targeted conservation efforts are therefore required to improve the resilience of populations of herpetofauna.

HerpTrust is a collaboration between Ecostack Innovations, Friends of the Earth Malta and the Open University of Cyprus, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. The project aims to facilitate the survival of herpetofauna populations in Malta and Cyprus through the suite of dedicated learning and citizen science activities.