Amphibian
A cold-blooded vertebrate that typically begins life in water with gills, then metamorphoses into an air-breathing adult. Includes frogs, salamanders, and caecilians—about 8,000 species.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 3 chapters:
"... advantages select for dam-maintaining behavior, creating positive feedback. - For other species: Pond creation favors wetland plants, pond fish, amphibians, and waterfowl; it disadvantages stream fish and upland forest species. Beaver activity increases local biodiversity by creating **habitat heterogene..."
"...ly 1900s) drove American chestnut trees functionally extinct (formerly ~25% of eastern forests, now rare). Chytridiomycosis (fungal disease affecting amphibians) has driven 90+ frog species extinct globally since the 1980s, and hundreds more to critically endangered status. Extinction Vortices and Positi..."
"Songbirds returned to nest in regenerating trees. Beavers recolonized streams, building dams that created wetland habitats supporting amphibians, fish, and waterfowl. Coyote populations declined (wolves kill coyotes as competitors), allowing rodent populations to grow, which increased food for..."
Biological Context
Amphibians bridge aquatic and terrestrial life. Their permeable skin allows gas exchange but makes them vulnerable to pollution and desiccation. Amphibians are sensitive environmental indicators—global amphibian declines signal ecosystem stress.
Business Application
Amphibian organizations operate in two worlds—perhaps physical and digital, or domestic and international. Like biological amphibians, they must manage the transition between environments and may be vulnerable to changes in either.