EcologyEcology

The Silence of the FrogsThe Silence of the Frogs 30% of North American frogs are 30% of North American frogs are

in trouble.in trouble. An amphibian is an animal capable An amphibian is an animal capable

of living in both water and on landof living in both water and on land Frogs are important indicators of Frogs are important indicators of

ecosystem problems because they ecosystem problems because they are affected by 2 ecosystems (in are affected by 2 ecosystems (in the water and on land).the water and on land).

Frogs are also much more Frogs are also much more sensitive to environmental sensitive to environmental changes.changes.

Amphibians have been around for more than 400 Amphibians have been around for more than 400

million years. Surviving the dinosaurs!million years. Surviving the dinosaurs! Frogs and their relatives have adapted to the ice Frogs and their relatives have adapted to the ice

age and global warming.age and global warming. They can be found in most ecosystems that They can be found in most ecosystems that

include water.include water.

ECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEM – is a term used to describe the – is a term used to describe the relationships among the many species living in relationships among the many species living in an environment and the relationship among an environment and the relationship among those organisms and the non-living components those organisms and the non-living components of the environment.of the environment.

Examples: Examples: Wetlands, marshes, deserts, lakes, Wetlands, marshes, deserts, lakes, oceans, forests.oceans, forests.

WHY ARE FROGS DISAPPEARING?

1. LOSS OF HABITAT

Habitat is the place where the species live. This is mentioned as the main cause We are destroying the water with pollution. Frogs need water to lay eggs. We are cutting down forests. This exposes

frogs to predators. We are building highways and cities

between the two ecosystems.

2. AIR AND WATER QUALITY

Frogs have a thin skin, this makes them more susceptible to pollutants.

Frogs breathe through their skin and by lungs.

Acid rain therefore can go through their skin. This acidity reduces their ability to reproduce

Embryos develop poorly in acidic water.

3. ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Our damage to the OZONE layer is allowing increased levels of UV radiation.The thin skin is susceptible to UV radiation.

Frogs have adapted by developing a black skin and laying black eggs.

Scientists don’t believe that frogs will adapt as fast as global warming.

4. CLIMATE CHANGES

Humans are burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) causing global temperatures to increase.

Climate changes affect the local ecosystems. Wetlands dry up and frogs are unable to reproduce.

Scientists don’t believe that frogs will adapt as fast as global warming.

Why are Scientists Why are Scientists ConcernedConcerned

Many believe that the health of Many believe that the health of amphibians indicates the health of the amphibians indicates the health of the ecosystem they live in. Frogs are ecosystem they live in. Frogs are bioindicators of the health of the earth.bioindicators of the health of the earth.

Amphi ( “on both sides”)Amphi ( “on both sides”) Bios ( “life” )Bios ( “life” ) Meaning that Frogs have two lifes – Meaning that Frogs have two lifes –

water and landwater and land

Frogs occupy two different ecosystemsFrogs occupy two different ecosystems Tadpoles – water ecosystemTadpoles – water ecosystem Adult Frogs – Land and ForestAdult Frogs – Land and Forest Since they are in two ecosystems, they are Since they are in two ecosystems, they are

also in two also in two FOOD CHAINS.FOOD CHAINS.

FOOD CHAINFOOD CHAIN – Is a step-by-step sequence – Is a step-by-step sequence linking organisms that feed on each other, linking organisms that feed on each other, starting with a food source such as a plants starting with a food source such as a plants (producers), and continuing with animals and (producers), and continuing with animals and other living things that feed on plants and on other living things that feed on plants and on each other (consumers)each other (consumers)

Food Food ChainsChains

All food Chains start with All food Chains start with SunSun as it’s source as it’s source

of energy!of energy!

PRODUCERPRODUCER – an organism that can make – an organism that can make their own food to give themselves energy.their own food to give themselves energy.

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE: Plants, algae: Plants, algae

CONSUMERSCONSUMERS: an organism that must get its : an organism that must get its energy by eating another organism ( cannot energy by eating another organism ( cannot make their own food )make their own food )

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE: animals animals

FROGS IN THEIR FROGS IN THEIR ECOSYSTEMSECOSYSTEMS

What do adult frogs eat?What do adult frogs eat? Insects ( mostly )Insects ( mostly ) Small fish ( limited )Small fish ( limited )

What animals eat frogs?What animals eat frogs? Large fishLarge fish Predatory birds Predatory birds ReptilesReptiles Small mammalsSmall mammals

The adult frog is part of a food chain that The adult frog is part of a food chain that

includes PRODUCERS, includes PRODUCERS, HERBIVORES , HERBIVORES , CARNIVORES , OMNIVORES.CARNIVORES , OMNIVORES.

HERBIVOREHERBIVORE – Organism that eat only – Organism that eat only plants plants

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE : Deer, Cow : Deer, Cow CARNIVORECARNIVORE – Organism that eats only – Organism that eats only

animalsanimals EXAMPLEEXAMPLE : Hawk, Tiger : Hawk, Tiger

OMNIVOREOMNIVORE : Organism that eats both : Organism that eats both

plants and animals.plants and animals. EXAMPLEEXAMPLE: Bears, Humans: Bears, Humans

What do tadpoles eat?What do tadpoles eat? Algae ( small plant-like organisms)Algae ( small plant-like organisms) Both living and deadBoth living and dead

The Tadpole is a herbivore, where the The Tadpole is a herbivore, where the

adult frog is a carnivore. Therefore the adult frog is a carnivore. Therefore the Tadpole is in a different food chain.Tadpole is in a different food chain.

The Tadpole has two food sources:The Tadpole has two food sources: 1. producers ( algae )1. producers ( algae ) 2. Detritus 2. Detritus

DETRITUSDETRITUS – Waste from plants and – Waste from plants and animals, including their dead remainsanimals, including their dead remains

Detritus food chains are critical in the Detritus food chains are critical in the

recycling of matter in ecosystems.recycling of matter in ecosystems. Decomposers are in a Detritus food chain Decomposers are in a Detritus food chain

which helps release nutrients to the soil which helps release nutrients to the soil and water. Plants and algae use those and water. Plants and algae use those nutrients to grow.nutrients to grow.

DECOMPOSERSDECOMPOSERS – An organism that – An organism that gets its energy by consuming and gets its energy by consuming and breaking down detritus.breaking down detritus.

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES: Bacteria, fungus Bacteria, fungus

PLEASE ANSWER QUESTIONS PAGE 13 - #2,3

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