Evidence that global warming is causing the worldwide declines of amphibians may not be as conclusive as previously thought, according to biologists. The findings, which contradict two widely held views, could help reveal what is killing the frogs and toads and aid in their conservation. "We are currently in the midst of a sixth mass extinction event," said Peter Hudson, the Willaman professor of biology at Penn State and co-author of the research study. "And amphibians are bearing the brunt of the problem." Studies suggest that more than 32 percent of amphibian species are threatened and more than 43 percent face a steep decline in numbers. … "We are facing a cataclysmic global decline in amphibians, caused primarily by the effect of a fungus that was historically not important, but the emergence of which might be associated with climate change, along with the use of herbicides and pesticides," Hudson explained. "The bottom line is that there doesn’t seem to be one single explanation for the massive amphibian declines. It could be a mix of other factors."

Global Warming Link To Amphibian Declines In Doubt
Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:00:00 GMT