Why study frogs and toads?
Scientists from around the world have become concerned over the population declines and extinction of many of these amphibians. Research has shown that habitat loss, pollution, ultraviolet radiation, introduced species, parasites, and fungal diseases have all contributed to amphibian declines. Amphibians are especially vulnerable to environmental quality due to their highly permeable skin and unique life cycle. Most frogs and toads lay their eggs in an aquatic habitat where after a period of time they hatch into tadpoles. The tadpoles then develop into the adult form we recognize as a frog or toad. Due to this unique life cycle, researchers often look to amphibians as “environmental indicators” of changes in their habitat. Frogs and toads were chosen as the study species because they vocalize during breeding season. Survey volunteers are able to determine the species by their call and get an index of how many are present by the number of calls of the same species heard at the same time
