Climate warming dries Yellowstone, hurts amphibians
source: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/10/30/news/wyoming/18-climatewarning.txt
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By BRETT FRENCH
Of The Gazette Staff
Amphibian populations have crashed as isolated water sources have dried up in Yellowstone National Park's lower Lamar Valley, according to recently published research.
"This is strong evidence that climate change is altering one of the most protected areas in the United States," said Sarah McMenamin, a Stanford University biologist who co-authored the research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"It's of course very depressing," said Liz Hadly, McMenamin's adviser and co-author, who started working in Yellowstone in 1982. "Even in this place that is so protected and enjoyed ... the kinds of temperature changes we're seeing on the planet are having a significant impact. Even this remote place is not immune from global change."
Amphibians are an indicator species, the proverbial canary in the coal mine, and their demise may predict problems to come for other species in the Yellowstone ecosystem, McMenamin said.
Of The Gazette Staff
Amphibian populations have crashed as isolated water sources have dried up in Yellowstone National Park's lower Lamar Valley, according to recently published research.
"This is strong evidence that climate change is altering one of the most protected areas in the United States," said Sarah McMenamin, a Stanford University biologist who co-authored the research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"It's of course very depressing," said Liz Hadly, McMenamin's adviser and co-author, who started working in Yellowstone in 1982. "Even in this place that is so protected and enjoyed ... the kinds of temperature changes we're seeing on the planet are having a significant impact. Even this remote place is not immune from global change."
Amphibians are an indicator species, the proverbial canary in the coal mine, and their demise may predict problems to come for other species in the Yellowstone ecosystem, McMenamin said.
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