Tracking the Vanishing Frogs: An Ecological Mystery [Paperback]

Kathryn Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1995

In her novel-like ecological study, Phillips details scientists' efforts in wetlands, woodlands, rain forests, and laboratories to understand why so many species of frogs are vanishing. She clearly describes the environmental and human factors that threaten these underappreciated creatures and draws a fascinating, real-world picture of how science and scientists work. Photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1990, a group of scientists met to discuss the disappearance or decline of amphibians, particularly frogs and toads. Though they could not agree on how to proceed, some field biologists pursued the matter independently. Enter journalist Phillips, who would follow the story for the next three years, interviewing scientists and accompanying them on field trips to search for frogs. She has written an engrossing account of attempts to solve the mystery. Primary causes of the amphibian decline appear to be acid rain, ultraviolet radiation and drought. Other causes are habitat destruction by over-grazing and logging, off-road vehicles, dams and introduction of nonnative, predatory fish. This important study details yet another environmental problem. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

This is an unintentional companion volume to Mark Jaffe's account of the decimation of Guam's bird population, And No Birds Sing. The endangered creatures Phillips is concerned with are amphibians, a far less sexy group than, say, wolves or eagles. Frogs and toads are hardly majestic, or even huggable; they're slimy, warty, and, to some, even repulsive, but they've been around for 350 million years and are an integral part of many ecosystems. Amphibians are also extremely vulnerable to environmental change, so vulnerable, in fact, that they are now considered to be "bioindicators," like canaries in a mine. And they're disappearing from the wetlands and woods of California, Louisiana, Florida, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Australia, France, and India. Phillips accompanies a number of herpetologists in the field as they try to identify the causes of this alarming decline. Along the way, she acquaints us with frog life, the ecological and scientific value of frogs, and the disturbing realities of the unregulated international frog trade (for food or pets). All evidence and hypotheses point to human activity as the culprit, specifically water and air pollution, and the corresponding rapid changes in the world's weather patterns. Informative, engaging, and enraging. Donna Seaman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (July 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140246460
• ISBN-13: 978-0140246469
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,332,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book-highly recommended, March 31, 2000

By 

"tinaj80" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tracking the Vanishing Frogs: An Ecological Mystery (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book which has covers the current issue of declining amphibian populations well in regards to the pet trade, habitat loss and fragmentation, and exotic species as well as specific species such as the golden toad and california's red-legged frog. Its an adventure as well as a source of information. The only reservation I had was that it didn't cover chemicals (pesticides) or frog deformities as issues towards species loss.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! Well researched and written!, May 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Tracking the Vanishing Frogs: An Ecological Mystery (Paperback)

This is a facinating and gripping tale about an animal that is simple, slimey, and generally not well thought of by humans. Our desensitivity to the legitimate role in our world of reptiles and amphibians (from the bible to the Sound of Music) has left them without an advocate when they need it most. Kathryn Phillips explains why their loss is anything but insignificant.

In the old days, coal miners would take a canary into the mines with them and listen to it sing all day. If the canary stopped singing and fell over dead, the miners didn't stop to wonder why or grieve its passing, they got the heck out of the mine as fast as they could. That was the very reason they took the canary in with them. Frogs are the canaries on this earth. But here on earth, we don't have the easy option of just getting the heck out of here as fast as we can. Kathryn Phillips tells you why with the power of a fiction writer but does it as only a professional journalist could with clarity, accuracy and completeness.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Attention all frog lovers!!!!, December 21, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Villa Park, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tracking the Vanishing Frogs: An Ecological Mystery (Paperback)

Anyone interested in frogs MUST read this book. It is a thrilling adventure through the days and nights of frog behavior and environmental management that makes you realize just how fragile some aspects of our planet are. This book reads like a novel; you start caring for these small creatures like they were your friends. Hard to put down. Easy to enjoy.