THE SILENCE OF THE SILENCE OF THE FROGSTHE FROGS

Chapter 1.1Chapter 1.1

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

million years.million years. Frogs and their relatives have adapted to the ice age Frogs and their relatives have adapted to the ice age

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

water.water.

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

Abiotic (non-living) and Biotic (living) componentAbiotic (non-living) and Biotic (living) component

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

Why are Scientists Why are Scientists ConcernedConcerned

Indicator SpeciesIndicator Species Many believe that the health of Many believe that the health of amphibiansamphibians

indicates the health of the ecosystem they live indicates the health of the ecosystem they live in.in.

Breathe through their skin and…….Breathe through their skin and……. Essentially live two different lives – on water Essentially live two different lives – on water

and landand land Hence the name AmphibianHence the name Amphibian Amphi (on both sides)Amphi (on both sides) Bios (life)Bios (life)

Frogs occupy two different ecosystems:Frogs 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 Since they are in two ecosystems, they

are also in two are also in two FOOD CHAINS.FOOD CHAINS. FOOD CHAINFOOD CHAIN – Is a step-by-step – Is a step-by-step

sequence linking organisms that feed on sequence linking organisms that feed on each other, starting with a food source each other, starting with a food source such as a plants (producers), and such as a plants (producers), and continuing with animals and other living continuing with animals and other living things that feed on plants and on each things that feed on plants and on each other (consumers)other (consumers)

FOOD CHAINSFOOD CHAINS

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

Parts of a Food Chain:All Food Chains start with the sun as it’s source of energy!

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 _________, where the The Tadpole is a _________, where the

adult frog is a __________. adult frog is a __________. Therefore, the Tadpole is in a different Therefore, the Tadpole is in a different

food chain.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

Frog/Tadpole Food Frog/Tadpole Food ChainsChains

Copy both Food Chains into your Copy both Food Chains into your notebooksnotebooks

Be sure to clearly label each componentBe sure to clearly label each component

WHY ARE FROGS DISAPPEARING?

The Last Frog Video

After viewing the video, respond to the following:

1. List 3 reasons cited in the video that helps explain the disappearance of the frogs.

2. What are some things that WE can do as a society to help prevent further declination of the frog species?

What are the four major factors given in the text for frog decline?

1. LOSS OF HABITAT

This is mention as the main cause We are destroying the water with pollution We are cutting down forests We are building highways and cities

between the two ecosystems.

2. AIR AND WATER QUALITY

Frogs have thin skin and no protection from the sun.

Frogs breathe through their skin and by lungs.

Acid rain therefore can go through their skin

This affects the ability to reproduce

3. ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

The thin skin is also 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.

Why not that beat the ice age!!!

4. CLIMATE CHANGES

Human activities are causing changes in the climate.

Increase use of fossil fuels ( coal, oil, gas) Climate changes affect the local

ecosystems.

Section 1.1 Silence of the Frogs (Pg. 10-13 Wksheet)

Questions 1-11