Frogs
Biologists consider frogs and other amphibians as “the canary in the coal mine” because they live in both the aqueous and atmospheric part of the planet. They are often the first species affected by environmental problems and serve as a warning to other species, including ourselves. These amazing amphibians occupy a crucial place in the natural order. They are both predator and prey, providing food for larger species and keeping insect populations in balance by eating them. If frogs were to disappear, the planet would soon be covered in flies and other insects. In fact, frogs are disappearing. Many of us can remember drifting off to sleep to the sound of frogs, but unless we act now, it’s unlikely that our children and grandchildren will hear the same lullaby. Scientists estimate that one third to one half of the world’s 6,000 known amphibian species could go extinct in our lifetime – including many in Canada. This would be the largest mass extinction since the disappearance of dinosaurs. More than 100 species are already believed to have vanished since 1980.
The situation has become so critical that conservationists and institutions including universities, zoos, and aquariums have named 2008 the Year of the Frog. The motto, “Frogs matter. Jump in” is one we should all take to heart. The more we understand about frogs and the reasons for their disappearance, and the more we all get involved in trying to save them, the more likely we will be to head off this impending disaster.
Those are things we can all work to overcome. Some progress has been made. For example, many municipalities and some provinces, such as Quebec, have banned the cosmetic use of harmful pesticides sprayed on lawns and gardens, which threaten frogs and other wildlife. The government of Ontario has announced a similar ban. However, the habitat of frogs and other species are poorly protected when planning and development decisions are made. We can rectify this situation through involvement with conservation groups and by lobbying governments at all levels to implement and enforce laws to protect dwindling frog populations. Our efforts to slow global warming and to cut down on the waste we produce are also steps that will add up to make a real difference. We must listen to the frogs now, so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy the symphony of their songs as we did in our childhood.
By David Suzuki with Faisal Moola
To learn more about Dr. Suzuki Foundation, visit http://www.davidsuzuki.org/
Household weed killer can turn male frogs into females