In the United Kingdom today the amphibian popuation is swiftly dwindling and faces long term survival challenges of almost overwhelming proportions. The key factors leading to this decline are habitat loss, pollution and disease. Many experts agree that unless something significant is done we could see the loss of these amazing animals in our life-time.
When i think myself back to my childhood days I remember many a fine day as a boy with my friends at the local pools or the brook, endless summertime days of catching toads and frogs and sticklebacks (we always let them go!). I was lucky, i had a terrific childhood.
A few years ago I travelled back to the region I grew up in, in that location is now a car park where those fantastic old pools were. The brook is fouled and looked stagnant and devoid of life. These days in our over-developed urban areas such habitats are getting rarer and rarer.
The total number of habitats wasted to development has been catastrophic and irreversible. Many sites have been preserved from development by the presence of great-crested newts or natterjack toads, the rarest of our native species.
There was a well publicized example recently where a colony of great-crested newts was resettled, at a great expense, to make way for a new runway at Manchester Airport.
But immeasurable thousands of ponds and waterways in the UK who did not benefit from the presence of either of these two residents have already been developed, huge amounts of Newts, toads and frogs decimated and the huge biodiversity of plants, animals and insects that existed there gone too.
Even whilst combating habitat loss, the threat of disease cannot go dismissed. The frog population in the south east of the nation has already experienced devastating outbreaks of Ranavirus. This incurable disease is believed to have originated in North America and spread to the UK by the introduction of non-native species. All three species of newt and the common toad are likewise at risk from infection.
Nonetheless, there is hope for the future. Enhanced awareness of green matters and a boom in gardening popularity may help to spare these captivating and endearing creatures from extinction. Although there is zero defence against the Ranavirus, anyone could effectively and easily contribute to the amount of viable habitat they have got. Educational and enriching, a simple to establish and maintain wildlife pool will fascinate young and old, and can look undeniably glorious.
Even a very small simple pond can become an oasis. Absorbing for all of the year with its numerous inhabitants. So make time for a piece of nature in your life, your youngsters lives. Go build yourself a wildlife pool and do your bit! - 30228
When i think myself back to my childhood days I remember many a fine day as a boy with my friends at the local pools or the brook, endless summertime days of catching toads and frogs and sticklebacks (we always let them go!). I was lucky, i had a terrific childhood.
A few years ago I travelled back to the region I grew up in, in that location is now a car park where those fantastic old pools were. The brook is fouled and looked stagnant and devoid of life. These days in our over-developed urban areas such habitats are getting rarer and rarer.
The total number of habitats wasted to development has been catastrophic and irreversible. Many sites have been preserved from development by the presence of great-crested newts or natterjack toads, the rarest of our native species.
There was a well publicized example recently where a colony of great-crested newts was resettled, at a great expense, to make way for a new runway at Manchester Airport.
But immeasurable thousands of ponds and waterways in the UK who did not benefit from the presence of either of these two residents have already been developed, huge amounts of Newts, toads and frogs decimated and the huge biodiversity of plants, animals and insects that existed there gone too.
Even whilst combating habitat loss, the threat of disease cannot go dismissed. The frog population in the south east of the nation has already experienced devastating outbreaks of Ranavirus. This incurable disease is believed to have originated in North America and spread to the UK by the introduction of non-native species. All three species of newt and the common toad are likewise at risk from infection.
Nonetheless, there is hope for the future. Enhanced awareness of green matters and a boom in gardening popularity may help to spare these captivating and endearing creatures from extinction. Although there is zero defence against the Ranavirus, anyone could effectively and easily contribute to the amount of viable habitat they have got. Educational and enriching, a simple to establish and maintain wildlife pool will fascinate young and old, and can look undeniably glorious.
Even a very small simple pond can become an oasis. Absorbing for all of the year with its numerous inhabitants. So make time for a piece of nature in your life, your youngsters lives. Go build yourself a wildlife pool and do your bit! - 30228
About the Author:
Mark Best writes articles that help people to design and build the Perfect garden Pond for them. And how to choose the right equipment, such as the right Garden Pond Filter for your needs.
