Which one of the following is most sensitive to environmental change?

Amphibians are widely recognized as the most sensitive group to environmental changes among vertebrates, often serving as bioindicators for ecosystem health [3]. Their extreme sensitivity stems from their unique life history and physiological traits. Most amphibians possess highly permeable skin used for gas exchange, which makes them exceptionally vulnerable to water and air pollutants, including chemicals and sulfur dioxide [2]. Furthermore, their complex life cycle—typically involving an aquatic larval stage (like tadpoles) and a terrestrial adult stage—exposes them to environmental stressors in both habitats [2]. Changes in temperature, UV radiation, and habitat modification significantly impact their survival and reproduction [5]. While other groups like insects or fish also show sensitivity to specific pollutants, amphibians face a unique existential crisis due to the synergistic effects of climate change, pathogens, and habitat loss across multiple environments [6].

Sources

1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 8: Biodiversity > ki'4" ENV|RONMENT > p. 150
2. [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-60879-w
3. [2] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 9: Life Processes in Animals > 9.2.2 Do other animals breathe the same way as humans do? > p. 133
4. [4] https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/19404/1/cobi14208.pdf
5. [5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7088592/
6. [6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320724001204