COURIER MAIL (Brisbane, Australia) 12 July 07 Can powerlines help frogs? (Brian Williams)
Scientists are trying to figure out if clearings created for powerlines through rainforests may be helping frogs survive a deadly disease.
In laboratories, scientists have noticed the potentially fatal fungus chytrydiomycosis is not nearly so deadly at temperatures of about 37C. But once the temperature drops to about 25C, the fungus becomes more potent. The fungus had proved deadly to higher altitude species.
Chytrydiomycosis is believed responsible for three species being wiped out but might be to blame for at least six extinctions.
"The idea is to look at small-scale but intensive disturbance to the frogs habitat and monitor how it affects them," said Lin Schwarzkopf, of James Cook University's school of marine and tropical biology.
There are no cases of population declines due to the disease in frogs that live in lowland rainforests. The project will examine why this could be.
"Higher, more variable temperatures and light levels and lower humidity seem to protect frogs from the disease," Professor Alford said.
"Small clearings being made for power line towers are likely to increase the exposure of frogs to such conditions, which could reduce their vulnerability to the disease.
"Our monitoring of the frogs will determine if the areas disturbed by tower construction are used by frogs and how."
Can powerlines help frogs?