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What is the DAPTF?The Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force (DAPTF) was established in 1991 by the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The DAPTF operates through a network of Working Groups like the California/Nevada Working Group. Over 80 of these Working Groups represent different regions of the world and collect geographical data on amphibian declines and their causes. Other, issue-based Working Groups are concerned with specific topics, including: Disease and Pathology, Monitoring Techniques, Chemical Contaminants, and Climatic and Atmospheric Change. Task Force members and other interested parties are kept up to date via the newsletter FROGLOG . What is the DAPTF doing?The DAPTF has identified two priority activities: 1. To determine the geography and extent of declines and disappearances of amphibians and to assess their phylogenetic distribution. Whether or not there is a global decline is controversial, and this controversy cannot be resolved by data currently available. In addressing this issue, amphibian biologists have to: note the wide geographic distribution of reports of declines and seek causes that may be general rather than specific and local, and be aware that most natural populations of amphibians show marked fluctuations in population size from year to year, and very carefully evaluate apparent declines with this in mind. 2. To determine the causes of those amphibian declines and disappearances that have been detected. All participants in the Task Force agree that local factors, such as habitat destruction, are a major factor in the loss of amphibian diversity, but a number of other, more general factors have been implicated or suggested. These include: increased ionizing radiation resulting from ozone layer depletion, estrogenic effects of pesticides, acid precipitation, fertilizers and herbicides, introduction of exotic competitors and predators, and pathogens. The Task Force is actively encouraging an experimental approach to investigate the possible role of all these factors, particularly the testing of alternative hypotheses. What is the California/Nevada Working Group?The California/Nevada Working Group seeks to understand and reverse amphibian population declines in California and Nevada, and to provide for the continued existence of both declining and non-declining species. A prime objective of the group is to facilitate communication among individuals who conduct scientific investigations, manage natural resources, or influence conservation policy. The group holds an annual meeting to present and discuss new information and issues, and distributes information and ideas via an electronic mailing list. Participation in the group is effected by joining the mailing list. The group is chaired by Dr. David Bradford, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Updated: December 17, 2004 |
