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Frog Swan Song: Climate Change and Frogs (January 13, 2006, One)

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Program Summary

It's no bull. Frogs are in trouble! A fungus has been killing off tropical rainforest frogs all over the world, and now scientists think they may know why. A recent study of Central and South American frogs links the rise in the fungus, which attacks frogs through their sensitive skin, to global warming; warmer air temperatures create more cloud cover in the tropics, which in turn leads to cooler days and warmer nights. Normally, the extremes of the rainforest climate would prevent the fungus from thriving, but the evening out of the temperature difference between day and night has allowed it to run rampant. Already 70 percent of the 110 species of Harlequin frog has become extinct.

The emergence of new diseases and re-emergence of old ones can also be traced to warmer temperatures. Insects and animals that carry certain diseases are spreading beyond their normal ranges into areas that were once too cold for them, presenting health risks not just to animals, but to humans as well. If the situation continues, we may have more to worry about than croaking frogs!

Guests

Andrew Blaustein, director of the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences and professor of Zoology at
Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon

Related Links and Resources

For Discussion:

• The frog fungus (chytrid) has been affecting frogs worldwide for years, but scientists didn't know why. What does the new study suggest? Explain how global warming may be encouraging the growth of the fungus.

• How does the fungus kill frogs?

• What frog species was studied in this report? What has happened to them? In what other areas of the world have frogs been affected by the fungus?

• How has ozone depletion damaged frogs and other organisms?

• What does Dr. Blaustein say is the way to reverse this trend?

Activities

Fungus among us. BBC NEWS explains the results of the new study and provides links to the latest in frog news and dangers to amphibians in general. The chytrid fungus has struck frogs on other continents as well. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of Australia has a page on frog Chytrid fungus which describes how the fungus kills and what the symptoms are; included are photographs of sick frogs. It also says what to do if you come across a sick frog.

A ribbiting story. An excellent lesson plan from Newspapers in Education, Frogs Losing Ground takes students on a Web quest of the fascinating life and times of frogs, from the big American bullfrog to brightly colored "poison dart" frogs of South America. Explore what scientists are learning from frogs and what is threatening their existence. Another good site for is Vanishing Frogs, which looks at seven extinct frog species, discusses reasons for the disappearance of amphibians, and provides suggestions as to what we can do within our own communities to preserve frog populations.

Keep your eye on the froggie. FrogwatchUSA, a partnership of the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Wildlife Federation, gives students the chance to assist scientists in their research. Register online and learn how to be an official frog watcher in your community. You'll keep data records, submit them, and communicate with other watchers. Get the whole school or neighborhood involved.

Alone on the range. What would living on Earth be like if most of its species disappeared? National Geographic's lesson plan, Why Preserve Biodiversity?, looks at the problem of endangerment and extinction and discusses preservation methods. Have students write a description of life on Earth in 2100.

Hot enough for you? The Environmental Protection Agency's Global Warming Kids Page is a terrific, comprehensive site about climate and global warming. Sections on climate history, climate science, solutions to global warming, and more are enriched with games, animations, links to other sites, and materials for teachers.

Hop over to these Science Friday Kids' Connection pages:

January 9, 2004, Hour One: Climate Change and Biodiversity
Jan 10,2003, Hour Two: Effects of Global Warming on Plants and Animals Worldwide
December 5, 2003, Hour One: It's Getting Hot in Here! A Discussion of Global Warming
October 3, 2003, Hour One: Saving Rain Forests

Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.

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