> I just did a simple search on the Web and
>found over 5000 web pages discussing world wide amphibian declines. What do
>you mean "frogs are not dying off all over the world"???
>sb
The Frogs here in the interior in BC where I live are doing fine. I have a
10 acre lake in front of my house. There are frogs there each spring. In the
forest there are lots of frogs as well. On the other hand frogs are
declining in other parts of the world most notably in the agricultural
regions of North America. Pesticides are implicated in the decline, and a
virus. Frogs breath through their skin so are susceptible to the pesticides
which contain surfactants such as Roundup.
Recently Australia banned all uses of glyphosate containing pesticides in
and near aquatic areas. Hundreds of formulations were banned. This was
because of damage observed in frogs after exposures that were at use levels
in routine applications.
I had the Australian Ministry of Environment send me the data last year.
There is a study of frogs in Spain that demonstrated that increased UV light
associated with reduced ozone depletion in the stratosphere is impacting the
survival of the eggs or the Rana.
So I repeat, frogs are declining world wide in areas where agriculture is
using pesticides, and where habitat is being destroyed. They are not
declining in pristine areas as far as I know. I cannot even think in the
evening out in the boreal forest whilst near a swamp, because of the
wonderful songs of frogs.
choa,
john foster
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