| Population Decline in Amphibians
Amphibians, including tree frogs, have been declining around the world and scientists are trying to learn why. You might expect this in housing developments or urban areas, but our national parks and preserves have experienced this decline too.
Studies have shown that there are many things that can affect amphibian populations. First, amphibians rely heavily on water to successfully complete their life cycles. Eggs are laid in pools or standing water and make the transition to larvae in this same water source. As they metamorphose into adults, they either remain tied to this water source, emerge out of it and find a new habitat or remain close by where they can use it.
Because amphibians rely so heavily on their water source, this can be the source of major problems. If the water source disappears, is polluted, altered or contaminated, the animals living in it may not be able to reproduce or reproduce with birth defects.
An amphibian's skin is porous, so any chemical or bacteria in the water can easily be absorbed into its body through its skin. Often, this can kill. A change in climate added to any of these problems can seriously affect breeding cycles and create further declines.
Many amphibians are harvested for the pet trade and for food. If they are taken from the pond before they have a chance to reproduce, this is a disaster for the population.
Why should we be concerned? Amphibians provide a lot of services to our communities that often pass unnoticed. They love to eat insects, invertebrates and other small animals and are great at eliminating pests. Frogs have provided us with clues for creating many medicines, including painkillers. Frogs are great animals for students to study because of their life cycles. They have even been aboard the space shuttle.
We urge you to get involved in a conservation effort for our amphibian neighbors. Over 200 amphibian species from around the world have experienced recent population declines. As an indicator of greater ecosystem health, this widespread trend raises many concerns about the health of our environment and could indicate a danger for people in the coming years.
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