Amphibian Loss: The Vanishing

We are witnessing a mass extinction. An exotic fungus is delivering the fatal blow to many amphibians already hit by habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.

Amphibians are among the groups hardest hit by today's many strikes against wildlife. As many as half of all species are under threat. Hundreds are sliding toward extinction, and dozens are already lost. The declines are rapid and widespread, and their causes complex—even at the ravine near Limón the bulldozer is just one hazard of many. But there are glimmers of hope. Rescue efforts now under way will shelter some animals until the storm of extinction ... Full Story »

Posted by Dwight Rousu
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Subjects: Sci/Tech
Topics: Environment
Member Tags: ecosystem, Amphibians, Endangered species
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Posted by: Posted by Dwight Rousu - Mar 19, 2009 - 12:32 AM PDT
Content Type: Article
Edit Lock: This story can be edited
Edited by: Kaizar Campwala - Mar 19, 2009 - 12:40 PM PDT

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4.4
by Dwight Rousu - Mar. 19, 2009

The ecosystem is fragile, and this story of amphibians tells their story well.

If we think of the frogs as our canary, we might say "Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

Where field scientists once had to watch their step to avoid crushing frogs moving in mass migrations, now counting a dozen feels like a victory. More »

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4.3
by Walter Cox - Mar. 19, 2009

An excellent piece that captures one's attention and demands that even the environmentally indifferent pay heed. Unprecedented human travel, which carries pathogens far and wide, seems to be the culprit in spreading chytridio­mycosis, a fungal infection, among amphibians worldwide. Inspiring work by those dedicated to stopping this scourge.

It is not a new story--perhaps 90% of the population losses among Native American tribes were caused by lack of resistance to European disease--yet ... More »

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4.4
by Kaizar Campwala - Mar. 19, 2009
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3.9
by Fabrice Florin - Mar. 19, 2009
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