Threats to the Spotted Tree Frog

One of the greatest threats to spotted tree frogs in their natural habitat is human activity which has had a devastating effect in their populations. Human activities such as agriculture, and aquaculture has raised a situation where the habitat of spotted tree frogs is changed in sch a way that it is no longer sustainable for these creatures. Furthermore, there have developed disturbances to the habitat of the spotted tree frog as a result of logging activities which has brought about modification and degradation of the habitat through the harvesting of timber (Bury & Corn, 1988). Energy production within or close to the spotted tree frog natural habitat has led to a situation where they are not able to survive and reproduce efficiently because of the massive degradation to their environment. Human intrusions through the vandalism of the habitat of these frogs for no good reason has also promoted the hastening of the threat of extinction of these species; meaning that it has become essential for more action to be done to make sure that there are less intrusions and more serious sensitization concerning the importance of the conservation of the tree spotted frog in its natural habitat. The lack of an effective framework for the development of a policy of protecting the tree spotted frog is one of the reasons why this species has ended up being endangered because there has been little or no constructive controls to human activities in their environment. It has therefore become important for strong initiatives to sensitize individuals who live within the habitat of these frogs to make sure that their habitat is not only preserved, but also that the species is also protected from human activity.

Climate change has had a negative effect on the population of spotted tree frogs mainly because it has led to the destruction of their natural habitat. This destruction has come about as a result of the massive warming of the environment which has led to a situation where the ponds where these species lives have dried up (Bennett et al, 1991). Severe weather such as extreme heat has made a lot of the natural habitat of this species unsustainable for them. Because spotted tree frogs do not like moving a lot and prefer spending most of their time close to or within their ponds, this species has not been able to overcome the effects of global warming. The failure to overcome climate change through moving to safer ponds has led to a situation where spotted tree frogs are increasingly fighting a losing battle to survive in the wild and in their natural habitat. Reduced rainfall has also become a serious hazard for this species because it has led to the reduction of the area within which they can be able to live and reproduce at normal rates. The loss of areas for reproduction because of the loss of lack of rainfall has led to the devastation of the population of spotted tree frogs; making this population end up not being able to sustain itself efficiently in the wild.

Predation by other species, either native or alien, has also had a negative effect on the population of spotted tree frogs. This is because many of these species, especially those alien ones, often end up preying excessively on the spotted tree frog and this has created a situation where it has become difficult for them to sustain themselves in the wild. Moreover, because spotted tree frogs do not move too far away from their ponds, they end up being unable to fend off predators while at the same time being easy prey to the latter. The lack of predators to reduce the number of alien species that prey on spotted tree frogs means that the numbers of these alien species is continuously on the rise (Gillespie & Hollis, 1996). Since spotted tree frogs are easy prey, the result is that the species has rapid reduction in population, thus being endangered in the wild. The larvae of spotted tree frogs tend to be victims of predation by trout; a situation which has led to significant reductions in the population of this species (Hero, 1995). Other species also have a negative impact on spotted tree frogs especially in circumstances where they have the same diet. An increase in the population of rival species in a small habitat means that there is high competition for the meager resources available. Rats are also a growing problem because their destructive nature means that they often degrade the habitat of the spotted tree frog through grazing and predation. The presence of invasive species also means that there is a likelihood of the spread of pathogens which eventually develop into diseases that have a negative effect on the spotted tree frog.

There are situations where spotted tree frogs have had to endure massive population declines as a result of disease. This is especially the case in circumstances where such diseases as the chytrid fungus, whose origins are in the United States, have had a devastating effect on population growth (Gillespie, 1992). Furthermore, viral infections have also presented a problem which needs to be dealt with to ensure that the species is conserved. As a result of disease, there are some areas where the spotted tree frog has become extinct in its natural habitat with remaining populations not being within regions that can be protected. The introduction of new species starting in the nineteenth century and going on into the twentieth has resulted in the bringing in of alien diseases that has had a negative effect on spotted tree frogs. This is because it has led to the destruction of the species in some areas since they lack resistance to the new diseases. Moreover, the lack of monitoring of this species in the wild has prevented alien diseases from being recognized early and treated and this has proven to be a failure in efforts to preserve the species. Diseases brought in an transmitted by alien species can therefore be considered to be an important threat to the survival of spotted tree frogs which has resulted in its near extinction.