Bring amphibians, biodiversity, and conservation innovation into your classroom.
Explore how scientists are responding to a global amphibian crisis by creating captive breeding programs like The Frog Ark to protect species such as the Panamanian golden frog. This educator guide supports classroom discussion, NGSS-aligned learning, and hands-on opportunities for student engagement.
GRADES
9 – 12+
SUBJECTS
Biology, Storytelling, Ecology
Episode Overview
“To be able to apply the tools we have developed to conserve these species, it’s a very important contribution for amphibian conservation. My vision for amphibians is to see them thrive again.” Dr. Gina Della Togna, Reproductive Physiologist and Research Associate, Smithsonian’s Tropical Research Institute
In The Frog Ark we learn about the chytridiomycosis pandemic and its devastating effects on hundreds of amphibian species worldwide, especially frogs. We meet reproductive physiologist, Dr. Gina Della Togna, who helps run a captive breeding program for imperiled tropical frog species called The Ark. As climate change, habitat destruction, and disease continue to ravage amphibian populations throughout the world, scientific efforts like those taking place at The Ark provide hope for populations of species like the Panamanian Golden Frog (Atelopus zeteki) that are currently threatened with extinction.
Focus Questions
- What are some examples of amphibians and what roles do amphibians play in their ecosystems?
- What makes the skin of amphibians so unique among terrestrial vertebrates?
- What is captive breeding and what role does it play in the conservation of endangered species?
- How does an individual develop adaptive immunity to a disease?
- What role does genetic diversity play in the ability of a population to survive in a rapidly changing environment?
Key Concepts
- Threatened and Endangered Species: The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists more than 44,000 species threatened with extinction. Habitat loss and destruction and agriculture are the major threats for more than 85% of these species. The IUCN also lists disease as a major factor contributing to the endangerment of species and the overall loss of biodiversity.
- Biodiversity: The global trade of amphibians coupled with human development have removed the natural barriers to the spread of wildlife diseases that threaten Earth’s biodiversity. Scientists have now recorded the decline of over 500 amphibian species since 1970, including nearly 100 presumed extinctions.
- Genetic diversity: The captive populations of frogs being reared in The Ark are small and are at risk of genetic drift which can cause the random loss of genetic diversity. The Ark scientists search for frogs still living in the wild that may have alleles that provide resistance to the chytrid disease and breed them with the captive frogs to increase their genetic diversity.
- Food webs: Frogs play a vital role in food webs as both predators and prey, with tadpoles consuming algae and aquatic insects, and adult frogs eating invertebrates, including the insect pests of agricultural systems. Frogs also serve as prey for various animals like snakes, birds, and fish. The loss of global frog populations, including those in tropical habitats, disrupts food web functioning.
- Indicator species: The presence or absence of certain species can indicate the condition of a specific environmental variable, serving as a proxy to assess the health of an ecosystem. Tropical frogs are considered indicator species because their highly permeable skin and eggs make them extremely sensitive to environmental changes, acting as early warning signs for ecosystem health issues like pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.
- Conservation biology: The practice of conservation biology recognizes the intrinsic value of the Earth’s natural diversity of organisms. Conservation biology works to understand how the natural world operates, how humans affect nature, and how we can use collective scientific and cultural knowledge to conserve Earth’s biological diversity.
- Captive breeding: Breeding animals in a controlled environment, like zoos or conservation facilities, can protect species from extinction, enhance their health, and potentially lead to reintroduction to the wild. The captive breeding program we learn about in The Frog Ark creates an indoor artificial rainforest where the air is kept cool and moist and the frogs are exposed to just the right amount of UV light for healthy bone development.
Curriculum Connections
NGSS
- HS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
- LS2.D: Social Interactions and Group Behavior
- HS-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits
- LS3.B: Variation of Traits
- HS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- LS4.B: Natural Selection
- LS4.C: Adaptation
- ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions
For complete list of curriculum connections including AP & IB standards, refer to full PDF.
