Like many other creatures, populations of frogs, toads and salamanders, which are classified as amphibians, are in decline. Amphibians have many important functions in the environment. For example, their permeable skin which is affected by drought and toxic substances, makes them excellent indicators of the health of valuable ecosystems like forests and wetlands.

Research scientists are monitoring the health of amphibian populations, in an effort to understand and halt their decline. In this edition of Mothering Earth, we’ll learn about amphibians, and what we can do to protect these vulnerable members of our planet.