Amphibians dying off at alarming rate

[Judi Lynn]

Amphibians dying off at alarming rate
Dan Vergano, USA TODAY5 p.m. EDT May 22, 2013

Amphibians have roamed the Earth for 350 million years, but many species face extinction, a trend seen in a new federal survey of wildlife habitats nationwide.

Federal wildlife scientists report Wednesday that frogs, salamanders and toads are dying off at alarming rates nationwide, with the declines most dire among threatened species.

Mandated by Congress, the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative team report summarizes hundreds of studies conducted over the past decade into declines in amphibians. The study published in the journal PLOS One and led by Michael Adams of the U.S. Geological Survey finds that even in national parks thought to be islands of conservation, amphibians are dying off.

"This analysis suggests that amphibian declines may be more widespread and severe than previously realized," concludes the study. It finds that overall numbers of frogs and their kin drop 3.7% every year, meaning they could disappear in half of the habitats they now occupy nationwide in 26 years. For 12 threatened species, things are even worse, with their numbers dropping 11.6% every year.

Worldwide, nearly a third of amphibian species are threatened with extinction, the report notes. Habitat destruction and a spreading fungal syndrome are seen as leading causes.

More:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/sciencefair/2013/05/22/frog-usa-amphibian-dying/2351875/

[Scuba]

1. Republicans will respond by cutting funding for the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative.

[OnlinePoker]

2. Change it to Amphibian Research and Monitoring Yardstick

Then tell them they're funding the A.R.M.Y. and they would dump oodles of money on it.

[madrchsod]

3. thus insuring their extinction ......

[longship]

4. The peepers are notably quiet this spring.

I live in a small farming community surrounded by the Manistee National Forest. There is a trout stream adjoining my acre and wetlands as well. Springtime evenings are normally a wild ruckus of peepers (frogs). So far, this year I have not heard them. It might be because of the extended winter temperatures, but it's been warm for a couple weeks now.

Maybe they're late. We'll see... er, hear. Hopefully soon. I like them; they make a pleasant accompaniment to late evening star gazing.

[Addison]

5. Hope they're just late to the party

[limpyhobbler]

6. Amphibians would probably do the same to us given the chance.

It's self defense really.