Over half of Europe's amphibians face extinction by 2050- PAU 2009

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More than half of all frogs and toads living in Europe could be driven to extinction within 40 years as climate change, diseases and habitat destruction show their effects, scientists have warned. The majority of the most threatened species live in Mediterranean regions, which are expected to become warmer and drier. Island species are especially at risk because they are unable to move to cooler climates. In Britain, where viruses are already wiping out many hundreds of amphibians a year, conservationists fear for the future of the common toad.
Researchers described the bleak outlook for Europe’s amphibians at a meeting of the Zoological Society of London last night. Sir David Attenborough, who was due to attend the symposium, said: “Amphibians are the lifeblood of many environments, playing key roles in the function of ecosystems, and it is both extraordinary and terrifying that in just a few decades the world could lose half of all these species”. One in three of the world’s amphibians are already on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s red list of endangered species, with some estimates suggesting 150 species have already become extinct since the 1980s. The expansion of towns and cities into natural habitats is chiefly responsible for the amphibians’ precarious future, to which many scientists believe climate change and diseases are actively contributing. Snakes, fish and birds that feed on the amphibians are already showing some signs of decline as the main ingredient of their diet dies out. The disappearance of some amphibians is also expected to lead to a rise in insects and other creatures that amphibians feed on. “Given that many of the things that amphibians eat are the things that destroy our crops or bite us and suck our blood, we might be feeling some of the effects a bit more directly than we’ve expected,” said Garner.
Ten years ago, scientists raised the alarm after finding vast numbers of amphibians were being wiped out by a species of fungus which infects the skin through which many of the animals drink and breathe. One alarming case has been seen in the Peñalara National Park near Madrid, where the climate has become more humid and the fungus has caused mass mortality among amphibians. Garner and his colleagues based their assessment on published research into the effects of climate change on amphibian habitats, and believe more than 40 species could be extinct by 2050. One study showed that as global warming alters the climate in Europe, almost every amphibian habitat would be affected. In Britain, infections caused by a family of pathogens called ranaviruses, which emerged in the 1980s, are causing widespread deaths among some of the most common amphibians. Scientists at the meeting will emphasize the need to reduce the effects of climate change by slowing down greenhouse gas emissions, but for many species that will come too late. In the short term, conservationists are urging zoos to set up captive breeding programmes for the most threatened amphibians.

The Guardian on line. Adapted

• bleak: desolador
• lifeblood: element vital / elemento vital
• toad: gripau / sapo
• crop: collita / cosecha
• wiped out: exterminats / exterminados
• pathogens: agent patogen / agente patógeno
• breeding: reproducció / reproducción

Part 1: Reading comprehension

Choose the best answer according to the text. Only ONE answer is possible.

1. According to the text, scientists have warned that more than half of all amphibians in Europe could be driven to extinction…

• because they live mostly in Mediterranean regions.
• except island species, which are not at risk.
• due to the effects, among others, of climate change.
• unless habitat destruction, diseases and climate change get out of control.

2. Why do conservationists fear for the future of some species of amphibians in Britain?

• Because island species cannot be affected by viruses.
• Because its cool climate negativelly affects amphibians.
• Because the effects of viruses on amphibians in that area are already devastating.
• Because viruses only attack specific species of amphibians, like the common toad.

3. When researchers talk about the “bleak outlook” for Europe’s amphibians, it means that…

• the future of Europe’s amphibians is unpredictable.
• they are very pessimistic about the future of Europe’s amphibians.
• the situation of Europe’s amphibians is going to get better in the near future.
• they hope nothing is done to prevent their extinction.

4. According to Sir David Attenborough,

• the extinction of amphibians will take place within a few decades.
• amphibians are essential to certain ecosystems and environments.
• many ecosystems depend on half of the species of amphibians.
• the precarious future of amphibians is affecting the expansion of towns and cities.

5. In the text, Garner argues that we will feel the effects of the disappearance of some amphibians…

• only when crops are affected by a particular fungus.
• when the effects are more direct on us.
• when the rise in insects sucking our blood becomes evident.
• when snakes, fish and birds are left with no food.

6. According to the text, one of the effects of climate change has been…

• the extinction of many amphibians because of infections caused on them by fungus.
• that in the Peñalara National Park amphibians have been wiped out by a virus.
• an increase in number of amphibians.
• the expansion of towns and cities.

7. On the whole and according to the text, why is the situation alarming?

• Because climate change is killing animal species on a massive scale in Europe.
• Because planet warming will probably affect most amphibian habitats.
• Because the number of amphibians is increasing dramatically.
• Because amphibians do not have anything to eat.

8. According to scientists and conversationists, the solution to these problems is:

• To close greenhouses and keep captive amphibians in zoos.
• To increase gas emissions and put an end to beeding programmes.
• Not to do anything, as it is too late.
• To reduce gas emissions and to encourage breeding programmes for threatened species.

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