THE SILENCE OF THE SILENCE OF THE FROGSTHE FROGS

Chapter 1.1Chapter 1.1

OmnivoreOmnivore

CarnivoreCarnivore

HerbivoreHerbivore

DetritusDetritus

ProducerProducer

ConsumerConsumer

DecomposerDecomposer

Food chainFood chain

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

400 million years.400 million years. Frogs and their relatives have adapted to the Frogs and their relatives have adapted to the

ice age and global warming.ice 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 – relationships between living – relationships between living things and between living and non living things things and between living and non living things in a specific area.in a specific area.

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

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.ecosystem they live in.

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

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 its as its

source of energy!source of energy!

PRODUCERPRODUCER – an organism that can – an organism that can make their own food.make their own food.

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE: Plants, algae: Plants, algae

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

THE SILENCE OF THE FROGS THE SILENCE OF THE FROGS (pg. 10-13 wksheet)(pg. 10-13 wksheet)

Questions Questions 1-111-11Food chainFood chain

HandoutHandout

WHY ARE FROGS DISAPPEARING?

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

1. LOSS OF HABITAT

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.

Polluted water (eg. Acid rain) can go through their skin

This affects their ability to reproduce

3. ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

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

The thin skin is also susceptible to increasing UV radiation.

4. CLIMATE CHANGES

Climate changes affect the local ecosystems.

Frogs and other organisms may not be able to adapt fast enough.

5. Disease

Chytrid fungus has affected many populations around the world

PLEASE ANSWER QUESTIONS PAGE 13 - #2,3

Page 11 will help you with answers.