| 18/01/2006
- Scientists from Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve
and Tropical Science Centre say with “high confidence” that
recent warming in the tropics is a key factor in the disappearances
of many of the amphibian populations. The warming trend has
reduced the frequency of mist (fog) in the region by raising
the heights of cloud formation and ultimately promotes the
survival, growth and reproduction of pathogenic fungus. Warm
night-time temperatures allow the fungus to spread to more
areas and wipe out large populations of amphibians throughout
the tropical Americas.
Scientists from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve in
Costa Rica suggest that climate change is already altering
the dynamics of infectious disease and causing species to
disappear. This new study provides clear evidence that global
warming is resulting in widespread extinction.
It is estimated by the Global Amphibian Assessment that
a third of amphibian species are already classified as “threatened.”
This study indicates that climate change may be the final
straw for these and other species.
Source: J. Alan Pounds, Martín R. Bustamante, Luis
A. Coloma, Jamie A. Consuegra, Michael P. L. Fogden, Pru
N. Foster, Enrique La Marca, Karen L. Masters, Andrés
Merino-Viteri, Robert Puschendorf, Santiago R. Ron, G. Arturo
Sánchez-Azofeifa, Christopher J. Still and Bruce
E. Young. Widespread amphibian extinctions from epidemic
disease driven by global warming.
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