I fish for smallmouth bass and trout in one of the creeks in my area, which still has decent populations of each. However, I haven't seen a turtle in years. Fifteen years ago, I would see dozens and dozens every time I went, from little half-dollar sized ones to fully grown adults.
Similarly, the creek used to have bullfrogs all along. I haven't heard one of those in years.
Some of the problems are from the gravel mining done on the creek. When it rains hard and floods, loosened gravel travels downstream, filling in many of the formerly deep holes. Some of it is pesticides, and some of it is people letting their cattle roam, water and wade in the creek. And some of it, especially with the frog population, is related to global warming and the hole in the ozone layer. Frogs, salamanders and the like with oxygen permeable skin can't handle the increased radiation.
Similarly, the creek used to have bullfrogs all along. I haven't heard one of those in years.
Some of the problems are from the gravel mining done on the creek. When it rains hard and floods, loosened gravel travels downstream, filling in many of the formerly deep holes. Some of it is pesticides, and some of it is people letting their cattle roam, water and wade in the creek. And some of it, especially with the frog population, is related to global warming and the hole in the ozone layer. Frogs, salamanders and the like with oxygen permeable skin can't handle the increased radiation.
