In recent years, scientists and conservationists have been working to raise public awareness of a global decline in amphibian populations. Herpetologists first started noting that amphibian populations were falling at many of their study sites in the 1980s. Those early reports were anecdotal and many experts doubted that the observed declines were cause for concern (the argument was that populations of amphibians fluctuate over time and the decline could have been merely natural variation).
But by 1990, a significant global trend had emerged--one that overstepped normal population fluctuations. Herpetologists and conservationists started voicing their concern for the worldwide fate of amphibians. Their message was alarming: of the estimated 5,918 known species of amphibians that inhabit our planet, a staggering 1,856 species were listed as endangered, threatened or vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (Global Amphibian Assessment 2007).
Why Amphibians Are in Decline originally appeared on About.com Animals / Wildlife on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 01:39:53.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
Saratoga proved once again to be the graveyard of champions when Persistently closed late to win the 2010 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga by 1 length over heavy favorite and Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Life at Ten was another 10 1/4 lengths back in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Afleet Express (right) won by a nose over Fly Down in the 2010 Travers Stakes (G1) with favorite Trappe Shot a dismal ninth. Also on the card, Discretely Mine won the King's Bishop Stakes (G1) going wire to wire. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Also on 2010 Travers day, Rightly So (right) led the whole way to win the Ballerina Stakes (G1) by 4 lengths over Warbling. Dynaslew won the Ballston Spa Handicap (G2) by a half length over Silver Reunioni, while Rapport took the Victory Ride Stakes (G3). Get the results, charts, and photos here.