The benefits that ecosystems provide to humans influence our survival and quality of life, the amphibians and reptiles that live in them provide us with an immense variety of environmental services, although many of them are unknown to society. These environmental services are divided into four categories:

Amphibians and reptiles, as a result of their ecological functions, provide services to humanity in all of these categories, so their decline has serious consequences for the functioning of the ecosystem and for us.

We also stand out the potential threats and/or damage that these animals can cause to humans like diseases, caused by pathogens (Salmonella), by having them as pets, by eat their meat or by be mortal for somes people.

In current society, our fascination with amphibians and reptiles is increasing (identification guides, terrariums to raise them at home, databases open to the public, collections in museums...). For children it is an ideal way to get close to nature and learn about it. However, on many occasions the influence of folklore continues to encourage negative behaviors against these beautiful and necessary animals. 

http://www.scielo.br/pdf/hcsm/v22n4/0104-5970-hcsm-2015005000010.pdf

- Benítez, M., Romero, D., Chirosa, M. & Real, R., 2017. Eco–geographical characterization of aquatic microhabitats used by amphibians in the Mediterranean Basin. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 40.1: 27–40,
https://bit.ly/2TJySoW

UK
- Black, Yvonne (University of Hull). 2017. In defence of Great Crested Newts:  Why these elusive amphibians are worth the worry. Website: The Conversation, Sept 22, 2017. https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-great-crested-newts-why-these-elusive-amphibians-are-worth-the-worry-77288

- Buxton A.S. & Griffiths R.A. (2017). Advantages and disadvantages of eDNA surveys for great crested newts: perceptions from practitioners. Note on a workshop held at Herpetofauna Workers Meeting, February 2017. Unpublished. https://www.arc-trust.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=d1aeec22-19f2-46e7-a897-5a986a0f1fe5

- Julian, A.J. & Hand, N.K. (2018). ARG UK Advice Note 11. Managing Habitat for Adders: Advice for Land Managers. Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK. 

https://www.arguk.org/downloads-in-pages/resources/advice-notes/416-11-advice-note-11-managing-habitat-for-adders-advice-for-land-managers-may-2018/file

- Malhotra, Anita (Bangor University). 2016. Why we should bother saving Britain’s only venomous snake. Website: The Conversation, Oct 13, 2016. https://theconversation.com/why-we-should-bother-saving-britains-only-venomous-snake-66154

Greece
- A common myth in Cretan villages
https://www.newsbeast.gr/environment/arthro/3148257/pia-ine-ta-dilitiriodi-erpeta-ke-entoma-sti-kriti

- Melissa Bielawski, (2017). Significance of Reptiles in a balanced Ecosystem
https://sciencing.com/reptiles-important-humans-6469520.html

- Sargent Emma (2017). Healing properties of Venom
https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/from-venoms-to-medicine/3008360.article

- S.C. Manolis, G.J. Webb and A.R. Britton. Reptiles can help us save the environment
https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/34/001/34001788.pdf?r=1

-  Drexel University (2018). Snakes as models in Engineering
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/du-wcs052118.php

- Ilias Strachinis (2010). How beneficial are the reptiles and amphibians for humans
http://www.herpetofauna.gr/index.php?module=narticle&page=read&id=24 

Snakes and amphibians feed on small vertebrates and insects, respectively. Therefore, they avoid unwanted pests in crops. In addition, they protect us from species that carry diseases, such as mosquitoes, which can affect humans (leptospirosis, malaria, etc.).
The production of important drugs made from venoms of snakes and saliva of reptiles and amphibians are useful to combat serious and painful diseases.

Threats to humans:

However, herpetofauna can cause disease to humans (Salmonella -headache, fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea, rash on the chest and his back). Babies and children are the most vulnerable to developing a severe form of this disease.
Some snakes are poisonous and can be a threat. In Greece, 5 species can potentially kill a human with its venom. In Israel, of the 3 poisonous species, the viper of the black mole (Atractaspis engaddensis), is the most deadly snake. Its venom includes neurotoxins that attack the heart, causing cardiac arrest in some cases. In general, the cases of deadly snake bites for humans are very few.

Inevitably, the false threats of the herpetofauna are the subject of erroneous press reports, such as the case of the false damage done by the newts to the habitat in the UK. The lack of reliable information and false perceptions cause that most people want to avoid them and, sometimes, kill them.

 
Symbol of the ancient god of medicine Asklipios with two interwined  Asculapian snakes, Zamenis longissimus.

Herpetofauna provide, in all HerpetoAreas considered, various benefits covering all categories of ecosystem services – provisioning, regulating, cultural & supporting. But they also present threats, some real (e.g. snakebite) and others perceived or misperceived, including aversion towards these animals. We present current challenges with regards to maintaining or conserving the biodiversity of herpetofauna in light of these benefits and threats. 

We have found that there are probably many more similarities than differences with regards to benefits and threats to humans from herpetofauna on comparison across our respective HerpetoAreas, but some differences mainly in specific challenges and possible local strategies to meeting these challenges. 

We conclude that key conservation actions should focus on sustainable management and legal protection of endangered species and their habitats, and promotion of education, awareness-raising activities and monitoring studies amphibians and reptiles at local and regional scales. All major stakeholders must be included to promote success of these efforts and actions: local communities, governmental and non-governmental agencies, academic experts and novices or hobbyists alike.

^{Distribution of Endemic Amphibians in Europe and Major Threats to Amphibians in Europe.
IUCN Species Programme. 
www.iucn.org}

Perceived threats to human activity / wellbeing:

Direct, physical benefits to human health / activity:

It is important to promote the multiple benefits for humans from the presence of reptiles and amphibians in their area, or country. To avoid damaging the cause of conservation the reasons for species protection must become better known. The facts are that many species as the great crested newts are European protected species because they are threatened on the continent in several countries. So, on a Europe-wide scale it is especially important for Britain and other countries to effectively protect these significant newt numbers.

Through new scientific molecular techniques like environmental DNA (eDNA), the detection of herpetofauna traces, like newts is becoming much cheaper, quicker and easier to survey.

Amphibians’ reliance on water for breeding and their sensitivity to aquatic pollution can be raised as an indicator to land use managers (e.g. farmers, industry, gamekeepers) of the need to maintain good water quality locally.

The fact that amphibians in general need a wide range of habitat features, both aquatic and terrestrial, during their life cycle can sensitize people to the need to sustain a diversity of vegetation and habitat features with connections between them. Also, the fact that great crested newts habitually range 250m (and in some cases up to 1km) around breeding ponds, and that they live in ‘metapopulations’ can show the importance of large-scale habitat conservation, the basic message being that isolated / fragmented habitats are not good homes for newts.

The key conservation actions should be focused on sustainable management and legal protection of endangered species and their habitats.Besides, the importance of education, awareness-raising activities and monitoring studies for sustainability of Mediterranean amphibians and reptiles is required.

Illegal Species trafficking is a very profitable business. In addition, it is the second cause of biodiversity loss in the world..The species which are used for trafficking in Spain are the greek tortoise (Testudo graeca) and eggs of psittacines and exotic reptiles

Another challenge is to promote to the general public (students, farmers,local authorities, etc.) the significant ecosystem services offered by the herptile species. Through herpetofauna many children could be acquaint of nature and wild life.

Tackling the aversion response of people to venomous snakes is one more challenge. More education and information about their biology, distrbution, habits, ecology, behaviour, and conservation issues, could help soften the public attitudes and change their perceptions for them.

^{The run overs are one of the major causes of mortality of toads (in the picture, Bufo spinosus) on many roads in Spain.}

The main Benefits to humans from herpetofauna include:

The main Threats to humans from herpetofauna include:

The main differences between our HerpetoAreas are in specific challenges and possible local strategies to meeting these challenges. Many of these stem from geography:

We conclude that key conservation actions should focus on sustainable management and legal protection of endangered species and their habitats, and promotion of education, awareness-raising activities and monitoring studies amphibians and reptiles at local and regional scales. All major stakeholders must be included to promote success of these efforts and actions: local communities, governmental and non-governmental agencies, academic experts and novices or hobbyists alike.