There is presence of toxic microplastics in 90 per cent of frog samples collected from Bengal delta, reveals a study that terms the friendly creature a worrying threat to the native ecosystem.
The shocking presence of microplastics in frogs poses a potential threat to biodiversity and crop production in Bangladesh, said researchers involved in the study talking to the FE sharing the findings.
The new study was published this April in the Environmental Advances journal.
Researchers studied frogs of nine different species collected from different habitats of Bengal delta.
The study found presence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of 90 per cent of the frog samples, which is relatively higher, compared to other studies conducted on tadpoles and frogs available.
These toxic chemicals cause severe damage and even mortality, says the study.
"Again, frogs play a role in crop protection and production by eating harmful pests and insects. That's why frogs are also called 'natural insecticides'," corresponding author of the study Prof Shafi Mohammad Tareq told the FE.
"Earlier Bangladesh exported frogs but amid a declining impact of the creature on the crop production, the authorities had banned it. So, we can say that the endangered frog is directly threatening crop production, he added.
According to the IUCN Red List of 2015, there are 49 species of frogs in Bangladesh. Among them, 10 species of frogs are endangered and 27 species are in somewhat alarming condition.
Prof Tareq said "Plastic intake causes damage to frog's stomach and results in stomach collapse. As plastic is contained in frogs, they die as a consequence."
Meanwhile, losses of wetland directly threaten their existence and take them to the verge of extinction.
Some 23 per cent of wetlands were lost in Dhaka and its surrounding areas between 2010 and 2019 with 2 per cent of Dhaka's wetlands being occupied illegally yearly, according to Transparency International Bangladesh.
Furthermore, 87 per cent of haor, a wetland ecosystem in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh, was lost in three decades, a study of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology found in 2022.
At least 10 species of frogs are in danger. The Forest Department said it has 40 protected areas but the frogs are hardly protected and research can hardly be conducted on them.
Frog is an ecological indicator meaning its presence indicates a balanced and sound environment.
Frogs have been on the verge of extinction mainly due to manmade crises, including the over use of fertilisers and pesticides in paddy cultivation, plastic pollution, loss of habitats and shelters.
Frogs naturally protect humans from outbreaks of diseases like dengue, dysentery, cholera, typhoid, anthrax, malaria by eating many dangerous disease-carrying insects.
"Climate change threatens frog breeding. Tadpoles need water to survive but climate change is affecting their survival. Climate change is causing delay or early monsoon during the rainy season which destroys its breeding season," Prof Tareq, fellow of Higher Education Academy-UK, explained.
Frogs are also an integral part of the lives of the people of rural Bengal and environment as well, he added.
Frogs are the fastest disappearing animals in the world. According to research data, 200 species of frogs have disappeared from the world since 1980.
The frog population declined fast as the authorities in the 80s allowed export of its legs from Bangladesh.
The export, however, was banned later.
"Frog conservation in Bangladesh needs planned action to protect the environment, and safe food supply," Prof Tareq added.
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