1
00:00:01,401 --> 00:00:03,637
- Ami Eckard-Lee: Did you know,
over 40% of amphibian species

2
00:00:03,704 --> 00:00:05,239
are threatened with extinction,

3
00:00:05,305 --> 00:00:08,509
while hundreds of species
have already gone extinct?

4
00:00:08,575 --> 00:00:11,245
And scientists are attributing
this to changes

5
00:00:11,311 --> 00:00:13,614
in climate and habitat.

6
00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:15,315
But what exactly is happening

7
00:00:15,382 --> 00:00:17,851
to the habitat of our frog
and toad friends?

8
00:00:17,918 --> 00:00:20,187
And what can we do about it?

9
00:00:20,254 --> 00:00:22,723
Shh, the show is starting!

10
00:00:23,891 --> 00:00:25,559
[bright music]

11
00:00:28,462 --> 00:00:31,331
- Yuck, it's disgusting.
- Here.

12
00:00:31,398 --> 00:00:33,367
- I mean, have you ever seen it
like this?

13
00:00:33,433 --> 00:00:35,102
- Well, no, never.

14
00:00:35,169 --> 00:00:37,604
- Who knows what it'll be like
for our kids?

15
00:00:37,671 --> 00:00:39,106
Or our kids' kids?

16
00:00:39,173 --> 00:00:41,742
We are already seeing
weird stuff.

17
00:00:41,808 --> 00:00:43,610
- What's that got to do
with the pond?

18
00:00:43,677 --> 00:00:44,778
- Everything!

19
00:00:44,845 --> 00:00:46,346
Each year, it's warmer.

20
00:00:46,413 --> 00:00:49,082
Okay, and warmer water means
more algae.

21
00:00:49,149 --> 00:00:51,118
More algae means less water.

22
00:00:51,185 --> 00:00:53,420
Before you know it, the pond
will be completely dried out

23
00:00:53,487 --> 00:00:57,524
and we'll just be these
dried husks baking in the sun.

24
00:00:57,591 --> 00:00:58,759
- Okay, time out.

25
00:00:58,825 --> 00:01:01,161
That was a play called <i>Pond Life</i>

26
00:01:01,228 --> 00:01:04,531
from the Climate Change Theatre
Action Global festival.

27
00:01:04,598 --> 00:01:08,101
But we'll catch up with those
two fabulous frogs later.

28
00:01:08,168 --> 00:01:09,837
Right now, I want to figure out

29
00:01:09,903 --> 00:01:12,206
how these significant changes
to the ecosystem

30
00:01:12,272 --> 00:01:14,374
affect frogs and toads,

31
00:01:14,441 --> 00:01:17,578
and how we can avoid this.
[boing]

32
00:01:19,213 --> 00:01:22,516
Let's hop on over to the lab to
meet up with some researchers

33
00:01:22,583 --> 00:01:25,519
conducting a study on how
winter temperatures

34
00:01:25,586 --> 00:01:28,488
impact tadpoles in the spring.

35
00:01:28,889 --> 00:01:30,624
- Jessica Hua: Winter is really
important for amphibians

36
00:01:30,691 --> 00:01:33,594
because how winter temperatures
change

37
00:01:33,660 --> 00:01:36,630
influence how much energy
they use over winter.

38
00:01:36,697 --> 00:01:40,467
Amphibians have this adaptation
where they can freeze solid.

39
00:01:40,534 --> 00:01:41,635
- What?
- Yeah,

40
00:01:41,702 --> 00:01:43,203
so they could freeze
completely solid

41
00:01:43,270 --> 00:01:45,405
to deal with cold temperatures.

42
00:01:45,472 --> 00:01:48,442
But if the temperatures are warm
during the winter,

43
00:01:48,509 --> 00:01:50,277
they thaw,
and then they refreeze,

44
00:01:50,344 --> 00:01:51,879
and they thaw,
and they refreeze,

45
00:01:51,945 --> 00:01:54,781
and that's really, really
energetically costly.

46
00:01:54,848 --> 00:01:57,251
When spring comes and they want
to reproduce,

47
00:01:57,317 --> 00:01:59,853
make more tadpoles,
they have less energy

48
00:01:59,920 --> 00:02:01,855
to give to that next generation.

49
00:02:01,922 --> 00:02:04,491
- Hilary Dugan: Winter leads
into spring, and that transition

50
00:02:04,558 --> 00:02:08,195
is just an incredibly kind of
dynamic time of the year

51
00:02:08,262 --> 00:02:10,831
where the animals have evolved
to know, like,

52
00:02:10,898 --> 00:02:12,933
what time of the year it is.

53
00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:14,535
There's lots of food web
interactions happening

54
00:02:14,601 --> 00:02:15,969
at the same time, right?

55
00:02:16,036 --> 00:02:19,239
I mean, the frogs need food, but
the frogs also might be food.

56
00:02:19,306 --> 00:02:20,641
We call it phenology.

57
00:02:20,707 --> 00:02:23,143
That's where the timing of these
organismal events happening.

58
00:02:23,210 --> 00:02:25,145
And so, some years they all
match up really nicely,

59
00:02:25,212 --> 00:02:27,414
and everyone has food,
and some years,

60
00:02:27,481 --> 00:02:31,218
you get weird weather events
where it, we call it mismatch,

61
00:02:31,285 --> 00:02:34,188
where one population might grow,
but their, you know,

62
00:02:34,254 --> 00:02:36,089
their food source didn't,

63
00:02:36,156 --> 00:02:38,225
and so it gets sort of, like,
mismatched in timing.

64
00:02:38,292 --> 00:02:39,927
- Minor changes in temperature

65
00:02:39,993 --> 00:02:43,096
actually can have huge effects
down the line,

66
00:02:43,163 --> 00:02:45,098
and oftentimes it's cryptic

67
00:02:45,165 --> 00:02:48,335
until you understand the ecology
of it.

68
00:02:48,402 --> 00:02:51,071
And not to mention, when you
have these late winter storms,

69
00:02:51,138 --> 00:02:53,207
oftentimes there are pollutants
involved.

70
00:02:53,273 --> 00:02:56,510
So, things like road salts
are used to control ice,

71
00:02:56,577 --> 00:02:59,680
and when these pollutants
run into the water,

72
00:02:59,746 --> 00:03:02,115
it can add another layer of
stressor for these amphibians

73
00:03:02,182 --> 00:03:04,484
that are also dealing
with changing temperatures.

74
00:03:04,551 --> 00:03:06,420
When there are salts
in the water,

75
00:03:06,486 --> 00:03:07,788
tadpoles are more susceptible

76
00:03:07,855 --> 00:03:09,756
to their parasites.
- Ami: Oh!

77
00:03:09,823 --> 00:03:12,993
- Diseases are emerging
at unprecedented rates.

78
00:03:13,060 --> 00:03:14,428
Why?
- Why?

79
00:03:14,494 --> 00:03:16,630
- Is it temperatures
that are now different?

80
00:03:16,697 --> 00:03:18,899
Is it pollutants
that are in the system?

81
00:03:18,966 --> 00:03:20,901
So, those are some of the
questions that we ask

82
00:03:20,968 --> 00:03:22,069
in this lab.

83
00:03:22,135 --> 00:03:23,871
- Well, I also wanted to ask
about that,

84
00:03:23,937 --> 00:03:26,273
because I think of a lab,
and I think of test tubes,

85
00:03:26,340 --> 00:03:29,576
and chemicals, and lab coats,
but you have kiddie pools.

86
00:03:29,643 --> 00:03:32,246
What is happening in this
really cool setup here?

87
00:03:32,312 --> 00:03:33,547
What are you studying?

88
00:03:33,614 --> 00:03:35,282
- Jessica: Here,
what we're looking at

89
00:03:35,349 --> 00:03:39,152
is how early life conditions
influence susceptibility

90
00:03:39,219 --> 00:03:41,889
to disease and road salts.
- Ami: Okay.

91
00:03:41,955 --> 00:03:44,191
What have you learned so far?

92
00:03:44,258 --> 00:03:46,860
- Jessica: Imagine a scenario
where a mom lays its eggs,

93
00:03:46,927 --> 00:03:49,596
and then you get this, like,
winter storm that comes in.

94
00:03:49,663 --> 00:03:51,798
It freezes,
and then it warms up again.

95
00:03:51,865 --> 00:03:53,367
- Ami: Okay.
- Jessica: Those tadpoles

96
00:03:53,433 --> 00:03:55,903
underwent a late winter storm.
- Ami: Yeah.

97
00:03:55,969 --> 00:03:57,104
- Jessica: Another set
of tadpoles,

98
00:03:57,171 --> 00:03:58,438
there isn't that
late winter storm.

99
00:03:58,505 --> 00:04:00,240
- Ami: Yep.
- Jessica: So, now you have

100
00:04:00,307 --> 00:04:01,408
those two groups.

101
00:04:01,475 --> 00:04:02,676
If you expose the group

102
00:04:02,743 --> 00:04:05,579
that went under that late
winter storm to road salts,

103
00:04:05,646 --> 00:04:07,080
they had that extra stressor.

104
00:04:07,147 --> 00:04:09,683
They're much more susceptible
to road salts than those

105
00:04:09,750 --> 00:04:11,385
that never had to deal with that

106
00:04:11,451 --> 00:04:12,886
late winter storm.
- Ami: Okay.

107
00:04:12,953 --> 00:04:16,690
- So, if winter/spring
transition temperatures

108
00:04:16,757 --> 00:04:18,158
continue to change,

109
00:04:18,225 --> 00:04:21,728
where there are these late,
false spring storms,

110
00:04:21,795 --> 00:04:23,197
it can endanger tadpoles

111
00:04:23,263 --> 00:04:24,965
and make them more susceptible
to pollutants

112
00:04:25,032 --> 00:04:26,466
in their environment.

113
00:04:26,533 --> 00:04:28,735
- Changes in the winter
to spring phenology

114
00:04:28,802 --> 00:04:31,371
have cascading impacts
on amphibians,

115
00:04:31,438 --> 00:04:34,208
the food web,
and the entire ecosystem,

116
00:04:34,274 --> 00:04:36,743
many of which we still
don't understand.

117
00:04:36,810 --> 00:04:40,781
So, what can we do to learn more
about the changes happening

118
00:04:40,848 --> 00:04:44,985
in the wetland ecosystems
and to amphibian life cycles?

119
00:04:45,052 --> 00:04:47,654
Let's meet up with a family
in northern Wisconsin

120
00:04:47,721 --> 00:04:51,658
that volunteers with the DNR's
Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey

121
00:04:51,725 --> 00:04:53,994
to learn more about how changes
in phenology

122
00:04:54,061 --> 00:04:56,263
are affecting amphibians.

123
00:04:56,330 --> 00:04:57,865
- Travis Stuck:
Frogs are amazing.

124
00:04:57,931 --> 00:05:00,367
We're here as part
of the Frog Survey,

125
00:05:00,434 --> 00:05:03,103
and we're here primarily
looking for,

126
00:05:03,170 --> 00:05:05,005
actually listening for frogs.

127
00:05:05,072 --> 00:05:06,540
- Rhonda Stuck:
When I first started

128
00:05:06,607 --> 00:05:08,942
doing the Wisconsin
Frog and Toad Survey,

129
00:05:09,009 --> 00:05:12,479
I did not know anything
about frogs and toads

130
00:05:12,546 --> 00:05:14,214
and which was what.

131
00:05:14,281 --> 00:05:18,952
So, the DNR's website
has a wealth of information.

132
00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:21,355
I could listen to calls

133
00:05:21,421 --> 00:05:24,858
and learn how to identify
the sounds I was hearing.

134
00:05:24,925 --> 00:05:27,528
- You don't have to have any
experience to do this.

135
00:05:27,594 --> 00:05:28,695
It's really simple.

136
00:05:28,762 --> 00:05:30,130
The data sheet is up that

137
00:05:30,197 --> 00:05:32,533
anybody can take a little time
and learn how to identify frogs.

138
00:05:32,599 --> 00:05:34,535
- Miles Stuck: You don't really
hear about this stuff

139
00:05:34,601 --> 00:05:35,702
anywhere else.

140
00:05:35,769 --> 00:05:36,870
It's, so, in-person,

141
00:05:36,937 --> 00:05:39,072
it's the best way to hear
about it, learn about it.

142
00:05:39,139 --> 00:05:41,475
- Can you walk me through
kind of what a survey night

143
00:05:41,542 --> 00:05:42,643
looks like for you?

144
00:05:42,709 --> 00:05:44,244
- We usually,
we get our gear on.

145
00:05:44,311 --> 00:05:46,246
We get our data sheet ready

146
00:05:46,313 --> 00:05:49,082
and our little frog call
cheat sheet.

147
00:05:49,149 --> 00:05:52,686
We hop in the car and we drive
over, and as we get closer,

148
00:05:52,753 --> 00:05:56,056
we roll down our windows so we
can start to hear the frogs

149
00:05:56,123 --> 00:05:58,725
through the just open windows.

150
00:05:58,792 --> 00:06:01,995
[whispers] We get out quietly
and we listen.

151
00:06:02,062 --> 00:06:05,966
We write down the number
of species that we hear

152
00:06:06,033 --> 00:06:07,835
and how many.

153
00:06:07,901 --> 00:06:10,904
And we record the wind speed,
the temperature,

154
00:06:10,971 --> 00:06:13,340
water temperature,
is it overcast?

155
00:06:13,407 --> 00:06:14,508
- What is the purpose?

156
00:06:14,575 --> 00:06:16,109
What do you use the data for?

157
00:06:16,176 --> 00:06:19,546
- With consistent data gathering
over a long period of time,

158
00:06:19,613 --> 00:06:23,517
they can track the population
and distribution of frogs

159
00:06:23,584 --> 00:06:25,018
throughout the state
of Wisconsin.

160
00:06:25,085 --> 00:06:27,654
- It just shows
if they're being affected,

161
00:06:27,721 --> 00:06:29,356
everything else
is being affected.

162
00:06:29,423 --> 00:06:30,824
- Thanks to volunteers,

163
00:06:30,891 --> 00:06:34,528
researchers have decades' worth
of data on amphibian phenology

164
00:06:34,595 --> 00:06:35,696
that helps them determine

165
00:06:35,762 --> 00:06:38,165
when frogs and toads are
emerging in the spring,

166
00:06:38,232 --> 00:06:39,499
what their populations are,

167
00:06:39,566 --> 00:06:43,270
and where certain species
are located in the state.

168
00:06:43,337 --> 00:06:45,472
This data helps scientists
determine

169
00:06:45,539 --> 00:06:47,107
what is causing
population declines

170
00:06:47,174 --> 00:06:49,643
and helps lead us to solutions.

171
00:06:49,710 --> 00:06:53,080
Now, let's see if we can meet up
with those two frogs--

172
00:06:53,146 --> 00:06:56,917
I mean actresses-- to talk about
their ribbeting play.

173
00:06:56,984 --> 00:06:58,652
So, what is the CCTA?

174
00:06:58,719 --> 00:07:02,155
What is the Climate Change
Theatre Action festival?

175
00:07:02,222 --> 00:07:04,958
- Chloe Maier: Yeah, so it's
like a worldwide global festival

176
00:07:05,025 --> 00:07:09,129
that brings together playwrights
to put together and write, like,

177
00:07:09,196 --> 00:07:12,599
short plays that have to do
with current climate issues.

178
00:07:12,666 --> 00:07:16,937
- How do you think artists and
creatives can use their skills

179
00:07:17,004 --> 00:07:18,539
to help with climate change?

180
00:07:18,605 --> 00:07:21,375
- AJ Stoffels: I see theater
as an amazing platform

181
00:07:21,441 --> 00:07:26,413
to bring up any issue under the
sun because people like art.

182
00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:30,217
And so, if we're able to use art
to begin conversations

183
00:07:30,284 --> 00:07:32,085
about things that
are so prevalent

184
00:07:32,152 --> 00:07:34,821
and so important,
such as climate change,

185
00:07:34,888 --> 00:07:38,058
I think that's a really
important aspect of art.

186
00:07:38,125 --> 00:07:39,493
- I think what was cool

187
00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:43,730
is I was able to sort of live
the theme of the play of, like,

188
00:07:43,797 --> 00:07:48,101
do something, do what you can,
and what I was able to do

189
00:07:48,168 --> 00:07:52,206
was perform and put on art
with my friends.

190
00:07:52,272 --> 00:07:56,076
- The only thing we can do
is what we can do.

191
00:07:59,313 --> 00:08:01,081
- What do you mean?

192
00:08:01,148 --> 00:08:06,386
- I know it seems overwhelming,
but this pond, our lives,

193
00:08:07,154 --> 00:08:09,356
you know, it's all we got.

194
00:08:09,423 --> 00:08:11,225
And we got to do what we can

195
00:08:11,291 --> 00:08:13,994
while we're still here
to make things better.

196
00:08:14,061 --> 00:08:16,864
You know, how else are things
gonna change?

197
00:08:16,930 --> 00:08:18,131
- We can all do something

198
00:08:18,198 --> 00:08:21,869
to help protect amphibians
and their habitats.

199
00:08:21,935 --> 00:08:25,072
You can start at home by using
less salt on your driveway

200
00:08:25,138 --> 00:08:26,507
or sidewalk in the winter,

201
00:08:26,573 --> 00:08:28,542
or become an advocate
in your community

202
00:08:28,609 --> 00:08:30,444
for protecting ponds
from pollutants

203
00:08:30,511 --> 00:08:32,346
like salt and other chemicals.

204
00:08:32,412 --> 00:08:35,516
Participate in citizen science
programs that gather data,

205
00:08:35,582 --> 00:08:37,985
or help educate others
and spread awareness.

206
00:08:38,051 --> 00:08:39,987
And don't forget,
art is a wonderful way

207
00:08:40,053 --> 00:08:43,223
to help people understand
and empathize.

208
00:08:43,290 --> 00:08:47,327
We are all capable
of making positive change.

209
00:08:47,394 --> 00:08:48,996
Right, you never know what
ripple effect

210
00:08:49,062 --> 00:08:50,464
it's gonna have.
- Chloe: Exactly.

211
00:08:50,531 --> 00:08:52,266
- Did you get my--
- The pond pun?

212
00:08:52,332 --> 00:08:53,467
- Oh, wait, that was good!

213
00:08:53,534 --> 00:08:54,635
That was good!
[Ami laughs]

214
00:08:54,701 --> 00:08:56,436
- Wait, say it again and then
we'll laugh.

215
00:08:56,503 --> 00:08:59,506
- The ripple effect.
[all laugh]