Scientists: Frog and toad declines signal of ‘collapse of the world’s ecosystems’
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/23/scientists-frog-and-toad-declines-signal-of-collapse-of-the-worlds-ecosystems/
A study released Wednesday said that North American frogs, toads and other amphibious animals are disappearing so quickly that they are on track to be extinct from their natural habitats by 2033. According to the Denver Post, the study — which was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey — said that these types of animal populations are disappearing at a rate of 3.7 percent per year, although certain threatened species are expected to be extinct from their natural habitats within 6 years.
The researchers found that amphibian species are even rapidly declining in protected areas. Biologist Erin Muths of Ft. Collins, Colorado told the Post, “Even in what we consider pristine areas, we are seeing amphibian decline. If anything is doing poorly in an area we think is protected, that says something about our level of protection and about what may be happening outside those areas.”
The USGS study did not delve into the causes of the species’ shrinking numbers, but a report published by Oregon State University in 2011 titled “Catastrophic amphibian declines have multiple causes, no simple solution” said that a plethora of factors could be to blame.
“The amphibian declines are linked to natural forces such as competition, predation, reproduction and disease, as well as human-induced stresses such as habitat destruction, environmental contamination, invasive species and climate change,” reads the report.
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we had a nearby small cattle pond (no longer used for cattle). It was a few hundred yards down the hill from our house. We often had little green friends find their way up to our house to climb up on one of my planters, or under the grill, or onto a porch rail, or once even on our glass door. They were so cute and we loved having them around.
At night, they could be so loud it was unreal - but I absolutely loved to sit out on our porch swing and just listen to the frogs and crickets. So peaceful and heavenly.
We got some bullfrog tadpoles and now this is their second year and the first time I've heard froggy croaks in soo many years! 
Having frogs around was the whole reason for the big expensive pain in the ass pond, I've wanted this since we moved here over ten years, now when i hear the croaks I want to cry, or scream!
This story breaks me totally. I can just hope for my own sweet bullfrogs.
It kills me, all the beautiful life we're wiping out, convinced all along we're the image of "God"
:barf:
