Why focus on saving amphibians?

With all the destruction and loss of species in the environment, why should we focus on amphibians? Through research I found an article from the Ian Somerhalder Foundation entitled "Endangered Amphibians" I learned several reasons why we need amphibians around and why we should feel responsible for their species suffering today. This article discusses the fact that amphibians are a fragile species because of their complex reproductive systems and permeable skin. Therefore, even the smallest change in the climate can greatly impact an amphibian and cause them to die. The article states, "Habitat loss, pollution, amphibian collection, non-native introduced species, climate change, and destruction of the ozone layer are major contributors to the causes of the decline in species numbers." All of these factors negatively affecting amphibian species are caused by humans. These issues in the environment are causing the endangerment of species such as Harlequin frogs from Costa Rica, the Chinese Giant Salamander, and the Western Leopard Toad of South Africa. The data chart below includes specifics about endangered, extinct, and surviving amphibian species.

photo

We can clearly see how human destruction to the environment has widely affected amphibian species, but how is this detrimental to us? According the the article, amphibians have played an important part in cultures across the world being displayed in sculptures, drawings, paintings and is even seen as a token of good fortune in Japan. Amphibians, especially frogs and toads, have been used as fantastical creatures that possess power and magic in fables, such as "The Princess and the Toad." Amphibians represent these special creatures because they embody multiple values for humans. Studies show that more than 73 amphibian species are known to contain some medicinal value through harmless means. Many secretions from certain amphibians are used in antibiotics and pain relievers. The article explains, "One helpful secretion is a potent non-addictive pain reliever considered to be 100 to 200 times more effective than morphine." Next, amphibians serve an intrinsic value for society with their specific colors, shapes, and sizes. The wide array of amphibians are beautifully unique species. Lastly, amphibians are a vital part in the food web and ecosystem. Without this species, other species might overpopulate certain areas, since amphibians cannot kill them off, or die out, since they can no longer feed on amphibians. 

photo

photo                                                 photo

So, now what can we do to help? Endangered Species International contributes to this article by suggesting a number of ways humans can change in order to help save amphibian species. The article gives eleven different suggestions on how to improve your personal life to help the amphibians, but I'm only going to discuss three. First, we can help by eating organic food because by reducing pesticide and fertilizer use, we can directly reduce the amount of chemicals in the environment. Second, leaving natural, and even artificial, ground cover in your backyard, such as dead wood, because ground cover provides moist shelter for amphibians. Last, join campaigns to stop frog and salamander trade because this easily can introduce new diseases and predators to these species. Bullfrogs are commonly sold and traded and are among the highest frog species with the disease chytrid, mentioned in my previous blog post. The trades can be directly associated with bullfrogs contracting chytrid and spreading the disease to other frog species. "Save the Frogs" is a good campaign for those interested in reducing these problems for the amphibians.