Restoring Wetlands and Streams For Frog Survival

During the years when the Europeans and other immigrants were settling across the Americas, they found that areas of water that were "dirty" and unpleasant smelling were an eyesore for their new communities. Little did the early settlers know that these areas of water, known as wetlands, swamps, and coastal marshes play a critical role in the ecosystem for species. Preserving nature was not a priority among many Europeans during the time and the result was the U.S. Swamp Lands Act of 1850. The U.S. Swamp Lands Act "allowed individuals to buy swamps and marshes for as little as 10 cents per acre" (Cunningham & Cunningham, 2012). The wetlands were being drained to provide room for the booming railroads and land for agriculture. This destruction of valuable land is another reason for the declining frog population. 

As many of the wetlands were being destroyed, frogs were directly affected. Wetlands provide many different purposes for frogs such as essential breeding grounds, various food sources, and as a primary habitat ("Protecting wetlands for," 2012). Other insects and amphibians co-habitat with the frogs to further create a more complete wetland ecosystem.

Little was being done to protect our resources until the 1972 Clean Water Act became official. This Act meant that before you deposit waste into streams and wetlands, a permit is required. It took a number of years before the Act was taken seriously. Then, The 1985 Farm Bill pushed for tighter restrictions by not allowing farmers to drain, fill or damage wetlands. During 1998-2004, there was a drastic increase of wetlands because research was actually being done to see the importance these areas of water provide for nature.

When we protect and improve the wetlands, we are creating a habitat for one-third of all endangered species (Cunningham & Cunningham, 2012). The increase of restoring the wetlands and streams back to a pristine ecosystem maybe hard to accomplish but the order of an alternative steady-state is a more obtainable goal. Also protecting a good portion of land surround the wetlands and streams are also key is frog survival. Frogs live in water and on land. They depend on various sea and land species for food.

Location of wetlands is factored in when it comes to the survival of frogs. If they are near agricultural areas, pesticides and herbicides usually find there way into the water which is poisonous to the frogs in various ways (Knutson,1999). If wetlands are near roads, this is dangerous to the frogs as well as they may come into contact with vehicles while crossing roads to get to other areas of habitat.

If wetlands and streams continue to be protected by law and everyone including corporations do their part to keep the water free from dangerous chemicals, frogs and other species have a better chance of being restored to a self-contained ecosystem.

Sources:

Cunningham, W., & Cunningham, M. A. (2012). Environmental science a global concern. (12 ed., pp. 271-292). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill.

Knutson, M., & (1999, December). Effects of landscape composition and wetland fragmentation on frog and toad abundance and species richness in Iowa and Wisconsin, USA. Retrieved from http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/documents/publications/1999/knutson_d_effects_of_1999.pdf 

Protecting wetlands for amphibian and reptile conservation. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/HerpConservation_pr.pdf