SGER: A Pre-Extirpation Study of the Role of Stream-Dwelling Frogs

[摘要]pringlesger：一项关于溪流蛙类作用的灭绝前研究科学家们已经记录了哥斯达黎加和巴拿马三个高地地区约50%的青蛙种群已经消失，而且灭绝的物种几乎完全由溪流蛙类组成。有证据表明，这是一种从北向南的“灭绝浪潮”，是疾病流行的典型特征。科学家们一致认为，巴拿马西部生活在溪流中的青蛙种群正面临灭绝的危险。青蛙数量的减少预计会影响陆地和水生环境，对食物网和生物地球化学循环产生影响。我们目前对这些生态系统中生活在溪流中的青蛙的作用知之甚少。该项目的研究人员将评估巴拿马河栖青蛙的作用，预计在未来几年内，由于青蛙种群的灭绝，这些地点将发生巨大变化。

Abstract00-01615PringleSGER: A pre-extirpation study of the role of stream-dwelling frogsScientists have documented that ~50% of the total frog population has disappeared from three upland sites in Costa Rica and Panama, and that extirpated species are comprised almost exclusively of stream-dwelling frogs. Evidence indicates a north-to-south 'wave of extinction' typical of disease epidemics. There is unanimous agreement among scientists that stream-dwelling frog populations in western Panama are in imminent danger of extirpation. Loss of frog populations is expected to affect both terrestrial and aquatic environments, with impacts on food webs and biogeochemical cycles. We presently have little quantitative knowledge about the roles of stream-dwelling frogs in these ecosystems. The investigators in this project will assess the roles of stream-dwelling frogs in Panama at sites which are expected to be dramatically altered within the upcoming years by the extirpation of frog populations.