Chapter 1 (Kwasi Obeng-Dankwa)

Kwasi Obeng-Dankwa
APES

In chapter one we are introduced to the various frog species in El Valle De Anton, in Central Panama and the sudden drop of their population. Kolbert was first intrigued by the frogs while reading a nature magazine intended for kids and the story about the frog hotel. While reading a headline about a possible sixth mass extinction, she was unable to resist the urge to finally go to Panama to witness the situation for herself. In doing so, she finds groups such as EVACC who are doing everything in their power to figure out the epidemic that is rapidly reducing the population of the frogs. As the research of EVACC continues, they find a culprit of Chytrid fungi or Bd. These fungi were found on the animals' skin, causing them to essentially have a heart attack. To prevent the further spreading of Bd as well as sustaining the population of frogs, EVACC decides to place different species of frogs in glass tanks and find a more suitable solution.

This chapter connected with the theme of the earth itself is one interconnected system. This is because of the fact that the particular species of Chytrid fungi that was responsible for the drastic decrease in the number of frogs seemed to be coming out of nature and not influenced by humans. In the passage, no talks of human effects were focused on. The main focus was the spreading of Bd and the efforts of EVACC to find a solution.  Natural systems are changing over time and as a result, other species are negatively affected. In this particular situation, the frogs of El Valle are the organisms being negatively affected. Throughout the passage, there was also a sense of disbelief and trying to avoid the fact that a mass extinction is occurring. For example, on page 10, it stated "...some of the most knowledgeable people in the field were the most skeptical. Amphibians are, after all, among the planet's great survivor." This shows the disbelief still held by even experts within the field. The author also includes the sentence "Most amphibians-the word comes from the Greek meaning "double life"- are still closely tied to the aquatic realm from which they emerged" in order to continue the theme of the disbelief as they see amphibians as having two lives and it almost being impossible for them to  be going extinct.