amphibians
"In a way, reptile and amphibians are like wax poured into their environments. When you pull them out and look at them you can learn a great deal about the world that was around them. Then, work to protect it."
"Amphibians are like energy conveyor belts that run a significant part of the global natural economy. They churn and aerate soil as they migrate from one decaying log to another, ...
"Amphibians are like floatplanes, except they also feature retractable wheels for operating from paved runways or grass strip"
'Amphibians are like canaries in a coal mine in that, they are the most vulnerable visible organism and (their high mortality rate) is an early warning sign that ecosystems are not healthy,' said Soule. They are vulnerable because they require two different kinds of habitat -- aquatic and land habitat -- and are susceptible to any environmetal change in either one.
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