Golden toad: it is too hot !!

In the article “Climate claims golden toad” by Alex Kirby, he states that the fingers of accusation point to change of climate, especially high temperatures, as responsible for extinction of the golden toad in Costa Rica. This serious environmental issue influence not only toad but also birds, Kirby said. In addition, what is really concerning is the decreasing in clouds in that area due to the increasing of ocean temperature. Moreover, changing climate may cause diseases that affect frog and toad’s skins; however, the writer referred to an argument between scientists about the effect of an infections disease called chytrid fungi and whether it is accountable for extinction of toads and other species. Finally, the author mentioned that a study was held on two kinds of birds were living in two different habitats. Scientists noticed that in the first class cloud forest, in which they live, its population was remind moderately ; while, on the other hand, in the second class that was accustomed to living in rainy conditions, their populations were increasing .

If we take climate and environmental conditions into account as important aspects that lead to the golden toad crisis, we may realize that there are two factors that contribute effectively to the toad’s extinction. These two are change climate and global warming.

First of all, unlike humans, there are many living organisms that can’t adapt themselves to live in/with an unsteady climate; in other words, they are accustomed to living in certain climate conditions. The same fact applies to the golden toads, as they are used to living in rainy forests or green lands that are located close to water surfaces, such as lakes and rivers. Moreover, changing climate disables a lot of vital processes that are made inside the toad community. Breeding, for example, is one of these processes that rely significantly on weather conditions, and toads, like other organisms, need particular weather conditions so the breeding can be completed; therefore, any sudden change or change without warning will affect negatively this important process. In addition, the change in climate was and still one of the direct reasons that led to the extension of many organisms; thus, the same factor may play a significant role in the golden toad’s crisis, since they are other creatures and they – toads – may face the same destiny that other extinct species had faced.

Second, as is known , there is a serious problem that intimidates not only the golden toads, but also the whole planet, which is global warming. In the golden toad’s case, the harmful function of global warming can be obvious actually in many ways. Global warming leads to drought phenomena; and drought itself leads to a serious phenomenon called desertification. More explanation, toads are amphibian, and as is known amphibians rely considerably on water, since most of their living stages or levels are spent under water; therefore, if the habitat of golden toads , which is rainy forests, becomes dry and all water surfaces desiccated or dried up, that will guarantee the demise of all the toads living there. Furthermore, global warming is responsible for increasing of earth’s temperature, and as we discussed before, toads are familiar with certain conditions or temperature; thus, they won’t be able to deal with this increase, as this hotness may affect their sensitive
skins and the vital processes in their bodies, which eventually resulted in death.
In conclusion, climate change and global warming are major causes of the golden toad crisis; and many studies assign the change in climate the whole responsibility for extinction of many species. it is understood that people aren’t responsible directly for the change in climate, but at least if the human reduce the pollution, a major cause of global warming, then we can claim that we did our best.

Reference

Kirby, A. (1999, April 26). Climate claims the golden toad. BBC News. Retrieved on June 1st , 2008, from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/328776.stm