There has been a lot of concern in recent years about declines in amphibian populations all over the world. But they are sensitive to many aspects of the environment, including temperature, chemistry, and changes in habitat, whether natural, or resulting from human activities. So if they are declining, we maybe ought to be a little concerned. Amphibians are considered indicators of environmental health, like the miner s canary. Certainly there have been dramatic losses of breeding habitat for some species, including wetlands.
Wetlands are important habitat for many animals, including amphibian breeding habitat.
So for amphibians, and humans, wetland loss is a cause of concern. That s where basic research comes in. Track movement patterns based on computer analysis of photographic records. Determine long-term dispersal patterns based on DNA analysis. We will begin in the spring semester each year with an on-campus seminar titled An Introduction to Wetland Ecology and Amphibian Biology.