Posted on 01/15/2006 1:25:26 AM PST by presidio9
It appears global warming is not for the thin-skinned — and that’s bad news for amphibians. Frogs, toads, newts and the like have permeable skins, which makes them especially sensitive to environmental change. It also makes them good species to monitor to get an idea of the health of our planet.
In 2004, researchers conducting a global assessment concluded that almost a third of the world’s known amphibian species were threatened with extinction. Now, a new study suggests that global warming may be to blame for amphibians’ precarious state.
The study, published last week in the scientific journal Nature, found that a fungal disease is killing off tropical frogs in Latin America. Scientists believe large-scale warming is accelerating cloud formation in certain areas, causing nighttime temperatures to rise and daytime temperatures to fall — conditions that enable the frog-killing fungus to thrive.
To stop these excess clouds from gathering over tropical habitats, we’ll need to eliminate the fog of disinformation from current global warming debates.
Clouds do two opposite things: 1) they reflect incoming sunlight, preventing energy from reaching the surface and thus cooling the surface, and 2) they absorb radiation emitted from the surface, some of which is re-radiated downward and thus warms the surface.
In daytime, the cooling process dominates (depending on cloud type), while at night (no sunlight to reflect) the warming process dominates. Net result: cooler days, warmer nights, and a lower diurnal temperature range than if therre were no clouds.
Seriously.
Here, I'll save you some time. He is most likely either working for the NY Post or the NY Daily News.
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/anniversary/35th/n_8568/
LOL Classic!
FReepmail me to be added or removed to the ECO-PING list!
Is THAT why amphibians are one of the oldest groups of land animals on the evolutionary ladder? Gosh, who knew?
That which makes them sensitive to environmental change also makes them adaptable to new environments. You can't manage for a static planet!
Correct, not to mention that it's neither physically nor genetically beneficial to try.
Frog's croak because they surrender to genocidal maniacs bent on creating an Islamic theocracy in Europe.
And then find out that the way to do so is to eliminate the prior inhabitants.
:-)
(Although a tiny minority of Frog's croak due to old age.)
I din't know Washington D.C had tropical vegetation??
And I wouldn't describe Democrat Senators on the Judicary Committee as "vague sources
They are known the world over for generating large amounts of methane
Who'da thunk that?
Better take your vitamins, Skink...it's just a tiny evolutionary leap from amphibian to lizard.....;D
There's lots of bamboo growing down there.
Seriously.....:)
GOT 'EM/SUNSCREEN (SPF45 :), too...Its' a bit cool up/down here...turning-up the electric heater (Global Warming, Indeed!)...We've Evolved. :D
Read your page.
Took the test.
Got a 14.
It's OK though, 'cause I can float, hold my breath underwater a long time and have a year 'round tan.
(Frogs croak because they get old, sick or gigged and used as bait. Such is their role in life.)
And this;
Get thee to a cave, Skink!
[no sense in taking any chances, now...tell the blind cave 'manders that I sent ya]...;D
..but, I won't Evolve...I still have my suntanning Lotion/Electric Htr./Sunglasses...*SIGH*..my crunchy wax-worms.
...Its' those d@mn enviros! always runnin' screwin' things up! "..yellin' the sky is falling..the sky is faillin' "...can't let me sit atop a rock watching the day go by.
..OH! Gotta Go! An Raven is overhead. :P
"..but, I won't Evolve..."
LOL!
Made me think of Monthy Python.
"She turned me into a newt./I got better.".....8:)
"...can't let me sit atop a rock watching the day go by.
Bring along a moist sponge and a parasol and I'll join you....;]
NPR was freaking about this the other afternoon.
Well of course.
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