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Why Are Amphibians Good Indicators of Ecological Health?
Introduction:
Have you ever considered the humble frog, toad, salamander, or caecilian? These often-overlooked creatures, collectively known as amphibians, are silently whispering secrets about the health of our planet. Far from being just slimy creatures inhabiting ponds and forests, amphibians serve as powerful bioindicators, providing early warning signs of environmental degradation. This comprehensive guide will delve into the reasons why amphibians are such exceptional indicators of ecological health, exploring their unique sensitivities and the crucial role they play in environmental monitoring. We'll uncover the fascinating science behind their vulnerability and how observing their populations can help us understand and protect our ecosystems.
1. Amphibians: Thin-Skinned Sentinels of Environmental Change
Amphibians possess permeable skin, a characteristic that makes them exceptionally vulnerable to environmental changes. This thin skin allows for cutaneous respiration – breathing through their skin – which directly exposes them to pollutants and contaminants present in the air, water, and soil. Even subtle alterations in water quality, like changes in pH or the presence of heavy metals, can severely impact their survival and reproduction. This high sensitivity makes them excellent early warning systems for pollution. A decline in amphibian populations can signal a problem long before it becomes evident through other means.
2. Life Cycle Dependence: A Double-Edged Sword
The amphibious life cycle, involving both aquatic and terrestrial phases, makes these creatures uniquely susceptible to changes in both environments. Tadpoles are entirely aquatic, relying on clean water and specific aquatic habitats for survival. The transition to adulthood often involves a shift to a terrestrial environment, exposing them to different pollutants and habitat alterations. This dual dependency makes them sensitive to a wider range of environmental stressors than many other animal groups. Any disruption in either the aquatic or terrestrial phases can significantly affect their overall population.
3. Trophic Position and Bioaccumulation
Amphibians occupy a critical trophic position in many ecosystems, meaning they are both predators and prey. This position makes them particularly vulnerable to bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation is the process where pollutants accumulate in an organism's tissues over time. As amphibians consume contaminated food sources (insects, invertebrates), they concentrate toxins within their bodies. This concentration can then be passed on to higher trophic levels, ultimately affecting the entire food web. Monitoring amphibian populations for pollutants can therefore provide valuable insight into the overall health of the food web.
4. Habitat Sensitivity: Reflecting Ecosystem Integrity
Amphibians often exhibit specific habitat requirements for breeding and foraging. For example, certain frog species require specific types of vegetation for egg-laying, while others depend on particular water bodies with specific characteristics. A decline in amphibian populations can signify habitat loss or degradation, indicating wider environmental problems such as deforestation, wetland drainage, or agricultural runoff. Their presence (or absence) reflects the overall health and integrity of the ecosystem.
5. Disease Susceptibility: A Canary in the Coal Mine
Amphibians are susceptible to a range of diseases, many of which are exacerbated by environmental stress. Chytridiomycosis, a devastating fungal disease, is a prime example. This disease can decimate amphibian populations, and its spread is often linked to habitat alterations and climate change. The prevalence of such diseases can serve as a warning sign of a compromised ecosystem unable to support a healthy amphibian population. The health of these animals directly reflects the overall health of the ecosystem.
6. Climate Change Vulnerability: A Forewarning of Broader Impacts
Climate change poses a significant threat to amphibians. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can directly affect their breeding cycles, survival rates, and habitat suitability. For instance, altered rainfall can lead to the drying up of breeding ponds, while increased temperatures can increase the susceptibility to diseases. Monitoring amphibian populations provides crucial data on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
7. Monitoring Amphibians: Practical Applications and Techniques
Monitoring amphibian populations involves various techniques, from visual surveys and mark-recapture studies to acoustic monitoring and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. These methods provide crucial data on population trends, distribution, and health. This data then informs conservation efforts and helps in identifying areas requiring urgent attention. The choice of method depends on the specific species, habitat, and research questions.
8. Conservation Implications: Protecting Amphibians, Protecting Ecosystems
Understanding the value of amphibians as bioindicators is crucial for effective conservation strategies. By monitoring their populations and identifying the underlying causes of decline, we can implement targeted interventions to protect not only these fascinating creatures but also the wider ecosystems they inhabit. Conservation efforts often involve habitat restoration, pollution control, and disease management.
9. Conclusion: Amphibians – Guardians of Ecological Health
Amphibians, with their remarkable sensitivity to environmental changes, serve as invaluable sentinels of ecological health. Their decline is a clear warning signal indicating broader environmental problems that require urgent attention. By understanding their ecological roles and incorporating them into our monitoring programs, we can gain valuable insights into the overall health of our planet and implement effective strategies for conservation and sustainable management of our ecosystems. Their fate is inextricably linked to our own.
Article Outline: Why Are Amphibians Good Indicators of Ecological Health?
By: Dr. Evelyn Reed, Herpetologist
Introduction: Briefly explains the importance of amphibians as bioindicators.
Chapter 1: Amphibian Physiology and Environmental Sensitivity: Details the permeable skin and its implications.
Chapter 2: Life Cycle Vulnerabilities: Explains the dual dependence on aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Chapter 3: Bioaccumulation and Trophic Levels: Discusses the role of amphibians in bioaccumulation and food web dynamics.
Chapter 4: Habitat Dependence and Ecosystem Integrity: Explores the link between specific habitat needs and ecosystem health.
Chapter 5: Disease and Environmental Stress: Highlights the impact of diseases like chytridiomycosis.
Chapter 6: Climate Change Impacts: Discusses the vulnerability of amphibians to climate change.
Chapter 7: Monitoring Techniques: Explains different methods used for amphibian monitoring.
Chapter 8: Conservation Implications: Outlines the importance of amphibian conservation for broader ecosystem health.
Conclusion: Reiterates the critical role of amphibians as bioindicators.
(The content above expands upon each point in the outline.)
FAQs:
1. What is a bioindicator? A bioindicator is an organism whose presence, absence, abundance, or condition reflects the quality of a specific environment.
2. Why is amphibian skin so important? Amphibian skin is permeable, allowing for cutaneous respiration, making them highly susceptible to environmental pollutants and changes.
3. What are some common threats to amphibian populations? Habitat loss, pollution, disease (like chytridiomycosis), and climate change.
4. How can I help protect amphibians? Support conservation efforts, reduce your environmental impact, and report sightings of amphibians to local authorities.
5. What are some common monitoring techniques for amphibians? Visual surveys, mark-recapture studies, acoustic monitoring, and eDNA analysis.
6. How do amphibians contribute to the food web? They serve as both predators and prey, connecting different trophic levels.
7. What is bioaccumulation? The process where pollutants accumulate in an organism's tissues over time.
8. What is the significance of amphibian life cycles? Their dual aquatic and terrestrial phases make them sensitive to a wider range of environmental stressors.
9. How can we use amphibian data for conservation planning? Data on amphibian populations can inform habitat restoration, pollution control, and disease management efforts.
Related Articles:
1. The Impact of Chytridiomycosis on Global Amphibian Populations: A deep dive into this devastating fungal disease and its impact on amphibian populations worldwide.
2. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: A Major Threat to Amphibian Biodiversity: Explores the effects of habitat destruction on amphibian populations and their ecosystems.
3. The Role of Amphibians in Ecosystem Services: Discusses the various ecosystem services provided by amphibians, such as insect control and nutrient cycling.
4. Climate Change and Amphibian Extinction Risk: Examines the predicted impacts of climate change on amphibian populations and their extinction risk.
5. Amphibian Monitoring Programs: Best Practices and Methodologies: A comprehensive guide to different monitoring techniques and their applications.
6. Citizen Science Initiatives for Amphibian Conservation: Highlights the role of citizen scientists in monitoring and protecting amphibian populations.
7. The Use of Environmental DNA (eDNA) in Amphibian Surveys: Explores the advantages and limitations of using eDNA for amphibian monitoring.
8. Conservation Strategies for Endangered Amphibian Species: A detailed overview of effective conservation strategies for endangered amphibian species.
9. The Importance of Wetlands for Amphibian Reproduction and Survival: Focuses on the crucial role of wetlands in providing suitable breeding habitats for amphibians.
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Wetlands of Ethiopia Kim Geheb, Yilma D. Abebe, 2003 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Ecotoxicology of Amphibians and Reptiles Donald W. Sparling, Greg Linder, Christine A. Bishop, Sherry Krest, 2010-06-02 Building on the success of its popular predecessor, the second edition of Ecotoxicology of Amphibians and Reptiles presents newly available findings on the species that are important environmental indicators. This new edition covers nearly twice as many topics as the first, including recent developments in the ecotoxicology of amphibians and reptil |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians Kentwood D. Wells, 2010-02-15 Consisting of more than six thousand species, amphibians are more diverse than mammals and are found on every continent save Antarctica. Despite the abundance and diversity of these animals, many aspects of the biology of amphibians remain unstudied or misunderstood. The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians aims to fill this gap in the literature on this remarkable taxon. It is a celebration of the diversity of amphibian life and the ecological and behavioral adaptations that have made it a successful component of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Synthesizing seventy years of research on amphibian biology, Kentwood D. Wells addresses all major areas of inquiry, including phylogeny, classification, and morphology; aspects of physiological ecology such as water and temperature relations, respiration, metabolism, and energetics; movements and orientation; communication and social behavior; reproduction and parental care; ecology and behavior of amphibian larvae and ecological aspects of metamorphosis; ecological impact of predation on amphibian populations and antipredator defenses; and aspects of amphibian community ecology. With an eye towards modern concerns, The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians concludes with a chapter devoted to amphibian conservation. An unprecedented scholarly contribution to amphibian biology, this book is eagerly anticipated among specialists. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Frogs James L. Murray, 2012 In this book, the authors gather and present topical research from across the globe in the study of the biology, ecology and uses of frogs. Topics discussed include using frog red blood cells for exploring the ion transport pathways across cellular plasma membranes and their regulation; the significance of retinal glial cells for glutamatergic neural transmission in frog retina; a review of the intraspecific patterns and differences in life-history traits of frog populations living at different altitudes; the peripheral nervous system in the frog as a tool to examine the regulation of the transmission of neuronal information; ecological traits in the Omei treefrog in western China; taxonomic patterns of tadpole behavioural responses to alarm cues and frogs and toads used as bioindicator organisms in pollution studies. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Handbook of Ecological Indicators for Assessment of Ecosystem Health Sven E. Jorgensen, Fu-Liu Xu, Robert Costanza, 2005-01-27 The field of ecosystem health explores the interactions between natural systems, human health, and social organization. As decision makers require a sound, modular approach to environmental management and sustainable development, ecosystem health assessment indicators are increasingly used across any number of applications. The Handbook of Ecologic |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Bioindicators for Assessing Ecological Integrity of Prairie Wetlands Paul R. Adamus, 1996 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Extinction in Our Times James P. Collins, Martha L. Crump, Thomas E. Lovejoy III, 2009-07-07 For over 350 million years, thousands of species of amphibians have lived on earth, but since the 1990s they have been disappearing at an alarming rate, in many cases quite suddenly and mysteriously. What is causing these extinctions? What role do human actions play in them? What do they tell us about the overall state of biodiversity on the planet? In Extinction in Our Times, James Collins and Martha Crump explore these pressing questions and many others as they document the first modern extinction event across an entire vertebrate class, using global examples that range from the Sierra Nevada of California to the rainforests of Costa Rica and the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. Joining scientific rigor and vivid storytelling, this book is the first to use amphibian decline as a lens through which to see more clearly the larger story of climate change, conservation of biodiversity, and a host of profoundly important ecological, evolutionary, ethical, philosophical, and sociological issues. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Social and Ecological System Dynamics Krystyna Stave, Goraw Goshu, Shimelis Aynalem, 2017-04-06 This book is a social—ecological system description and feedback analysis of the Lake Tana Basin, the headwater catchment of the Upper Blue Nile River. This basin is an important local, national, and international resource, and concern about its sustainable development is growing at many levels. Lake Tana Basin outflows of water, sediments, nutrients, and contaminants affect water that flows downstream in the Blue Nile across international boundaries into the Nile River; the lake and surrounding land have recently been proposed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve; the basin has been designated as a key national economic growth corridor in the Ethiopian Growth and Transformation Plan. In spite of the Lake Tana Basin’s importance, there is no comprehensive, integrated, system-wide description of its characteristics and dynamics that can serve as a basis for its sustainable development. This book presents both the social and ecological characteristics of the region and an integrated, system-wide perspective of the feedback links that shape social and ecological change in the basin. Finally, it summarizes key research needs for sustainable development. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Amphibian conservation action plan : proceedings IUCN/SSC Amphibian Conservation Summit 2005 , 2007 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Amphibian Ecology and Conservation C. Kenneth Dodd, 2010 Describes the latest methodologies used to study the ecology of amphibians throughout the world. Each of the 27 chapters explains a research approach or technique, with emphasis on careful planning and the potential biases of techniques. Statistical modelling, landscape ecology, and disease are covered for the first time in a techniques handbook. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: The Earth Care Manual Patrick Whitefield, 2004 The long-awaited exploration of permaculture specifically for cooler Northern Hemisphere climates is finally here! Already regarded as the definitive book on the subject, The Earth Care Manual is accessible to the curious novice as much as it is essential for the knowledgeable practitioner. Permaculture started out in the 1970s as a sustainable alternative to modern agriculture, taking its inspiration from natural ecosystems. It has always placed an emphasis on gardening, but since then it has expanded to include many other aspects, from community design to energy use. It can be seen as an overall framework that puts a diversity of green ideas into perspective. Its aims are low work, high output, and genuine sustainability. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Monitoring Amphibians in Great Smoky Mountains National Park C. Kenneth Dodd, 2003 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Ecological Indicators Daniel H. McKenzie, D. Eric Hyatt, V. Janet McDonald, 2012-12-06 Today environmental problems of unprecedented magnitude confront planet earth. The sobering fact is that a whole range of human activities is affecting our global environment as profoundly as the billions of years of evolution that preceded our tenure on Earth. The pressure on vital natural resources in the developing world and elsewhere is intense, and the destruction of tropical forests, wildlife habitat, and other irreplaceable resources, is alarming. Climate change, ozone depletion, loss of genetic diversity, and marine pollution are critical global environmental concerns. Their cumulative impact threatens to destroy the planet's natural resources. The need to address this situation is urgent. More than at any previous moment in history, nature and ecological systems are in human hands, dependent on human efforts. The earth is an interconnected and interdependent global ecosystem, and change in one part of the system often causes unexpected change in other parts. Atmospheric, oceanic, wetland, terrestrial and other ecological systems have a finite capacity to absorb the environmental degradation caused by human behavior. The need for an environmentally sound, sustainable economy to ease this degradation is evident and urgent. Policies designed to stimulate economic development by foregoing pollution controls both destroy the long-term economy and ravage the environment. Over the years, we have sometimes drawn artificial distinctions between the health of individuals and the health of ecosystems. But in the real world, those distinctions do not exist. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Chaos and Reliable Knowledge Maralee Harrell, 2000 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Environmental Health Perspectives , 1972 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Bioindicators for Assessing Ecological Integrity of Prairie Wetlands Paul R. Adamus, 1996 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Exotic Animal Laboratory Diagnosis J. Jill Heatley, Karen E. Russell, 2020-01-27 Exotic Animal Laboratory Diagnosis ist ein praxisorientiertes, leserfreundliches Fachbuch mit allem Wissenswerten für die Durchführung diagnostischer Tests bei vielen Exoten. - Erläutert detailliert, wie Proben entnommen, Tests durchgeführt und Laborergebnisse interpretiert werden. - Bietet Informationen zu jeder Tierart, die zum schnellen Nachschlagen einheitlich präsentiert werden. - Legt den Schwerpunkt auf klinische biochemische Untersuchungen, Urinanalysen und gängige Diagnoseverfahren, die in anderen Publikationen nicht zu finden sind. - Führt in einem leicht zugänglichen Fachbuch alles Wissenswerte zu Auswahl, Durchführung und Anwendung von Testverfahren zusammen. - Deckt eine Vielzahl von Tierarten ab, u. a. Kleinsäugetiere, Primaten, Reptilien, Wassertiere, Wildtiere, Laborversuchstiere und Hausvögel. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2003 United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Department of the Interior and Related Agencies, 2002 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2000 United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Department of the Interior and Related Agencies, 1999 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land Steven I. Apfelbaum, Alan W. Haney, 2012-02-13 Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land is the first practical guidebook to give restorationists and would-be restorationists with little or no scientific training or background the “how to” information and knowledge they need to plan and implement ecological restoration activities. The book sets forth a step-by-step process for developing, implementing, monitoring, and refining on-the-ground restoration projects that is applicable to a wide range of landscapes and ecosystems. The first part of the book introduces the process of ecological restoration in simple, easily understood language through specific examples drawn from the authors’ experience restoring their own lands in southern and central Wisconsin. It offers systematic, step-by-step strategies along with inspiration and benchmark experiences. The book’s second half shows how that same “thinking” and “doing” can be applied to North America’s major ecosystems and landscapes in any condition or scale. No other ecological restoration book leads by example and first-hand experience likethis one. The authors encourage readers to champion restoration of ecosystems close to where they live . . . at home, on farms and ranches, in parks and preserves. It provides an essential bridge for people from all walks of life and all levels of experience—from land trust member property stewards to agency personnel responsible for restoring lands in their care—and represents a unique and important contribution to the literature on restoration. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: A Framework for Long-term Ecological Monitoring in Olympic National Park Kurt Jeffrey Jenkins, Edward G. S. Schreiner, Andrea Woodward, 2002 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: A Natural History of Amphibians Robert C. Stebbins, Nathan W. Cohen, 1997-01-26 Amphibia, the animal group that includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians, contains more than 4,500 known living species and new ones are being discovered continuously. This book focuses on the natural history of amphibians worldwide, how interaction with their environment over time has affected their evolutionary processes and what factors will determine their destinies. 37 photos. 52 line illus. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Community Ecology and Salamander Guilds Nelson G. Hairston, 1987-11-27 This informative book, first published in 1987, presents the theories of community ecology within the context of a natural example. The text describes and examines issues in community ecology and shows how research on salamanders has helped to solve some of the problems surrounding the theories. Salamanders exist in stable populations of the kind assumed in community theory and are more appropriate than most other animals for research on the applications of that theory. The interesting and meaningful results, collected from observation on these excellent subjects posed challenges to beliefs within community ecology. Life histories of salamanders, fieldwork in distinctly differing habitats, competition, predation and evolution are discussed in an easily readable text. Professional ecologists and students of community ecology and herpetology will be interedted in the information synthesised in this book. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2000: Justification of the budget estimates: U.S. Geological Survey United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Department of the Interior and Related Agencies, 1999 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Learning About Amphibians, Grades 4 - 8 Debbie Routh, 2002-01-01 Bring the outside inside the classroom using Learning about Amphibians for grades 4 and up! This 48-page book covers classification, appearance, adaptations, and endangered species. It includes questions, observation activities, crossword puzzles, research projects, study sheets, unit tests, a bibliography, and an answer key. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Ecology of the Columbia Spotted Frog in Northeastern Oregon Evelyn L. Bull, 2005 The Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) is one of several amphibians in the Western United States experiencing population declines. The breeding, postbreeding, and overwintering habitat and ecology of this species were investigated in 10 study sites in northeastern Oregon from 1997 through 2004. A variety of habitats with permanent water were used as breeding sites and as postbreeding habitat during the summer. Ice-covered ponds, warm springs, rivers, and seeps in forested habitats were used for overwintering. Diet consisted of a wide variety of mollusks and arthropods with beetles, ants, wasps, and flies composing more than 50 percent. Population size was as high as 135 females at one site, and ratios of males to females ranged from 1.0 to 2.8. The oldest male and female were 9.7 and 8.7 years old, respectively, based on skeletochronology. Males reached sexual maturity at 1 year 9 months after metamorphosis and most females at 2 years 9 months after metamorphosis. One female laid eggs in up to 3 consecutive years. Size (snout-vent length) was not a good indicator of age in frogs older than 2 years. Long-term monitoring is necessary to determine the effects of a variety of disturbance factors and chytrid fungus that could influence spotted frog populations in northeastern Oregon. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Reader's Digest North American Wildlife , 1998 With full-color illustrations and range maps throughout, this guide concentrates on abundant, wide-ranging, or conspicuous birds, although mention is made of many other species. To simplify recognition, swimming and wading birds are separated from land birds, and an introductory listing pinpoints distinguished traits and behavior patterns for easy reference. 340 illustrations. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Nature's Fading Chorus Gordon Miller, 2000-05 Naturalists in every age have been intrigued by frogs, toads, and salamanders. They have seen these amphibians in a variety of guises -- as beings with magical powers or implicit moral lessons, as the products of spontaneous generation, as heralds of the seasons, as evidence of evolution or material for biological experiments, or, most recently, as ecological barometers for the biosphere.Nature's Fading Chorus presents an anthology of writings on amphibians drawn from the entire Western natural history tradition, beginning with Aristotle's Inquiry Concerning Animals written in the fourth century B.C.E., and continuing through recent scientific accounts of the relatively sudden -- and alarming -- global declines and deformities in amphibian species. The offerings not only reveal much about amphibian life, but also provide fascinating insight into the worldviews of the many writers, scientists, and naturalists who have delved into the subject.The book is divided into five sections. The first three offer selections from the most influential contributors to the Western canon of natural history writing, and contain classic texts that illustrate central themes in the changing understanding of amphibians and of the natural world. The fourth section offers engaging essays by leading twentieth-century nature writers that portray a variety of amphibians in diverse terrains. Part five covers the various aspects of, and research on, the problem of amphibian declines and deformities. Featured are more than thirty-five pieces, including works from Pliny the Elder, Gilbert White, William Bartram, Henry David Thoreau, Charles Darwin, T. H. Huxley, Loren Eiseley, Stephen Jay Gould, George Orwell, Annie Dillard, Terry Tempest Williams, and many others.Arranged chronologically, the writings provide an intriguing look at the ways in which humankind's understanding of its place in nature has changed through the course of Western history, and of the niche amphibians have occupied in that evolution. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Amphibian Species in Environmental Risk Assessment Strategies Marcelo L Larramendy, Guillermo Eli Liwszyc, 2023-12-18 With the expansion of human settlements and the environmental changes brought about by human activity and pollutants, toxicology and risk assessment of amphibian species has become increasingly of interest to toxicologists involved in environmental research. This book focuses specifically on environmental risk assessment in premetamorphic stages and adults of amphibians. Amphibian ecotoxicology is not totally understood in scientific research and as such environmental risk assessment in these vertebrates is an area of rapidly growing interest. It has the potential to answer some of the questions regarding risks to our environment. An ideal companion, this book will be useful to toxicologists and ecologists investigating risk assessment in the environments of amphibians, while also of interest to those working in conservation biology, biological invasion, biocontrol and habitat management. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Biodiversity and Human Health Francesca Grifo, Joshua Rosenthal, 1997-02-01 The implications of biodiversity loss for the global environment have been widely discussed, but only recently has attention been paid to its direct and serious effects on human health. Biodiversity loss affects the spread of human diseases, causes a loss of medical models, diminishes the supplies of raw materials for drug discovery and biotechnology, and threatens food production and water quality. Biodiversity and Human Health brings together leading thinkers on the global environment and biomedicine to explore the human health consequences of the loss of biological diversity. Based on a two-day conference sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Smithsonian Institution, the book opens a dialogue among experts from the fields of public health, biology, epidemiology, botany, ecology, demography, and pharmacology on this vital but often neglected concern. Contributors discuss the uses and significance of biodiversity to the practice of medicine today, and develop strategies for conservation of these critical resources. Topics examined include: the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss emerging infectious diseases and the loss of biodiversity the significance and use of both prescription and herbal biodiversity-derived remedies indigenous and local peoples and their health care systems sustainable use of biodiversity for medicine an agenda for the future In addition to the editors, contributors include Anthony Artuso, Byron Bailey, Jensa Bell, Bhaswati Bhattacharya, Michael Boyd, Mary S. Campbell, Eric Chivian, Paul Cox, Gordon Cragg, Andrew Dobson, Kate Duffy-Mazan, Robert Engelman, Paul Epstein, Alexandra S. Fairfield, John Grupenhoff, Daniel Janzen, Catherine A. Laughin, Katy Moran, Robert McCaleb, Thomas Mays, David Newman, Charles Peters, Walter Reid, and John Vandermeer. The book provides a common framework for physicians and biomedical researchers who wish to learn more about environmental concerns, and for members of the environmental community who desire a greater understanding of biomedical issues. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: 107-2 Hearings: Department of The Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2003, Part 2, 2002, * , 2002 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: One Health: The Human-Animal-Environment Interfaces in Emerging Infectious Diseases John S. Mackenzie, Martyn Jeggo, Peter Daszak, Juergen A. Richt, 2013-11-22 One Health is an emerging concept that aims to bring together human, animal, and environmental health. Achieving harmonized approaches for disease detection and prevention is difficult because traditional boundaries of medical and veterinary practice must be crossed. In the 19th and early 20th centuries this was not the case—then researchers like Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch and physicians like William Osler and Rudolph Virchow crossed the boundaries between animal and human health. More recently Calvin Schwabe revised the concept of One Medicine. This was critical for the advancement of the field of epidemiology, especially as applied to zoonotic diseases. The future of One Health is at a crossroads with a need to more clearly define its boundaries and demonstrate its benefits. Interestingly the greatest acceptance of One Health is seen in the developing world where it is having significant impacts on control of infectious diseases. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Macroecology, Paleoecology, and Ecological Integrity of Terrestrial Species and Communities of the Interior Columbia River Basin and Northern Portions of the Klamath and Great Basins Bruce G. Marcot, 1998 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Malformed Frogs Michael Lannoo, 2008-08-04 The widespread appearance of frogs with deformed bodies has generated much press coverage over the past decade. Frogs with extra limbs or digits, missing limbs or digits, or misaligned appendages raise an alarming question: Are deformed humans next? Taking a fresh look at this disturbing environmental problem, this reference provides a balanced overview of the science behind the malformed frog phenomenon. Bringing together data from ecology, parasitology, and other disciplines, Michael Lannoo considers the possible causes of these deformities, tells which frogs have been affected, and addresses questions about what these malformations might mean to human populations. Featuring high-quality radiographic images, Malformed Frogs suggests that our focus should be on finding practical solutions, a key component of which will be controlling chemical, nutrient, and pesticide runoff into wetlands. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Family Iridoviridae Molecular and Ecological Studies of a Family Infecting Invertebrates and Ectothermic Vertebrates V. Gregory Chinchar, Amanda LJ Duffus, 2019-10-01 Ranaviruses and other viruses within the family Iridoviridae, infect a wide range of ecologically and commercially important ectothermic vertebrates, i.e., bony fish, amphibians, and reptiles, and invertebrates, including agricultural and medical pests and cultured shrimp and crayfish, and are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Understanding the impact of these various agents on diverse host species requires the combined efforts of ecologists, veterinarians, pathologists, comparative immunologists and molecular virologists. Unfortunately, investigators involved in these studies often work in discipline-specific silos that preclude interaction with others whose insights and approaches are required to comprehensively address problems related to ranavirus/iridovirus disease. Our intent here is to breakdown these silos and provide a forum where diverse researchers with a common interest in ranavirus/iridovirus biology can profitably interact. As a colleague once quipped, “Three people make a genius.” We are hoping to do something along those lines by presenting a collection of research articles dealing with issues of anti-viral immunity, identification of a potentially novel viral genus exemplified by erythrocytic necrosis virus, viral inhibition of innate immunity, identification of novel hosts for lymphocystivirus and invertebrate iridoviruses, and modelling studies of ranavirus transmission. Collectively these and others will exemplify the breadth of ongoing studies focused on this virus family. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Ecology and Conservation of Great Plains Vertebrates Fritz L. Knopf, Fred B. Samson, 2013-04-17 The frontier images of America embrace endless horizons, majestic herds of native ungulates, and romanticized life-styles of nomadie peoples. The images were mere reflections of vertebrates living in harmony in an ecosystem driven by the unpre dictable local and regional effects of drought, frre, and grazing. Those effects, often referred to as ecological disturbanees, are rather the driving forces on which species depended to create the spatial and temporal heterogeneity that favored ecological prerequisites for survival. Alandscape viewed by European descendants as monotony interrupted only by extremes in weather and commonly referred to as the Great American Desert, this country was to be rushed through and cursed, a barrier that hindered access to the deep soils of the Oregon country, the rich minerals of California and Colorado, and the religious freedom sought in Utah. Those who stayed (for lack of resources or stamina) spent a century trying to moderate the ecological dynamics of Great Plains prairies by suppressing fires, planting trees and exotic grasses, poisoning rodents, diverting waters, and homogenizing the dynamies of grazing with endless fences-all creating bound an otherwise boundless vista. aries in Historically, travelers and settlers referred to the area of tallgrasses along the western edge of the deciduous forest and extending midway across Kansas as the True Prairie. The grasses thlnned and became shorter to the west, an area known then as the Great Plains. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: North Cascades National Park (N.P.), Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan , 2008 |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Handbook of Research on Monitoring and Evaluating the Ecological Health of Wetlands Rathoure, Ashok K., 2022-02-25 Wetlands are among the world’s most productive environments with countless species of plants and animals, as well as humans, dependent upon them for survival. Moreover, they provide many societal benefits including water quality improvement, flood storage, shoreline erosion control, and opportunities for recreation, education, and research. The conservation of inland wetlands is thus critical, and it is vital that they are protected in situ. The Handbook of Research on Monitoring and Evaluating the Ecological Health of Wetlands highlights the challenges of wetland conservation and current scenarios of existing wetlands and their effective management. The book also promotes the inventory, assessment, and monitoring of wetlands through a discussion of practical approaches, methodologies, and techniques. The strategies covered in this book can be applied in situ, depending on the wetland in which they will be applied. It covers the most cost-effective techniques in conservation of wetland technologies and the most cutting-edge research on monitoring of wetland health and its applications. Covering topics such as forest soil, greenhouse gasses, and ecological rejuvenation, it is an ideal resource for conservators, environmentalists, executives, policymakers, government officials, professionals, researchers, academicians, and students working in ecological management and wetland conservation fields. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Applications of Conservation Physiology to Wildlife Fitness and Population Health Terri J. Maness, Mary Ann Ottinger, Jacquelyn K. Grace, One of the great challenges in ecophysiology is linking physiological measures in wild animal populations with changes in individual fitness. Physiological variables that indicate nutritional state, stress, disease, or injury are used extensively in veterinary practice and captive settings to assess the health and likelihood of reproductive success of many animals. The development and refinement of sampling methods that limit disturbance of animals, coupled with advancements in analytical methods have allowed researchers to begin to examine the relevance of these physiological parameters in wild animals for predicting population trends and response to environmental perturbations. However, despite extensive research in this field, consistent correlations between fitness and/or population health and physiological measures remain rare. |
| why are amphibians good indicators of ecological health: Wildlife of Ecuador Andrés Vásquez Noboa, 2017-05-30 Mainland Ecuador's spectacular wildlife makes it a magnet for nature tourists, but until now there hasn't been a go-to, all-in-one guide geared to the general reader. With this handy and accessible guide, visitors now have everything they need to identify and enjoy the majority of birds and animals they are likely to see. Written and illustrated by two of Ecuador's most experienced nature guides and photographers, this book covers more than 350 birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. It features over 400 stunning color photographs and includes a range map for each species, as well as a brief account of the country's natural history and biogeography. With its extensive coverage, attractive and easy-to-use layout, beautiful photographs, and nontechnical text, this is an essential guide for anyone who wants to explore the natural wonders of Ecuador. An essential all-in-one guide to mainland Ecuador's amazing wildlife Unique and attractive layout with more than 400 stunning color photographs Covers more than 350 of the most frequently seen birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians Uses a habitat-based approach to aid identification Accessible text provides key information on identification, behavior, biology, and conservation Photos, maps, and text are presented together for ease of use |
