Amphibian populations have been declining in many parts of the world in recent decades.  Once common and widespread species of frogs are now sometimes locally extinct or only sporatically distributed on the landscape.  Some species have not been seen in the wild for years.  The causes of declining amphibian populations are the subject of intensive scientific study around the world.  Different projects in different locations have implicated various factors, such as increased solar radiation because of ozone depletion, disease, introduced competitors or predators, such as bullfrogs or fish, pesticides and aquatic pollution, and the effects of habitat loss and degradation.

 

"Frog Technology" is a project to explore both the population ecology of frogs (and salamanders) and the techniques for habitat development and restoration on and near the WSU Pullman campus.  Students may develop an individual project or participate in an ongoing field project to census amphibian populations and develop habitat restoration sites on campus landscapes.