School Notes: School of the Environment
January/February 2010

Amphibians as environmental omens

Amphibians, for years considered a leading indicator of environmental degradation, are not uniquely susceptible to pollution, according to a meta-analysis to be published in Ecology Letters. After a review of over 28,000 toxicological tests, researchers from the University of South Dakota, Yale, and Washington State University are challenging the prevailing view that amphibians, with their permeable skin and aquatic environment, are particularly sensitive to environmental threats and, as such, are “canaries,” or predictors of environmental decline.

The team based its analysis on information gleaned from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Aquatic Toxicity Information Retrieval database, examining 1,279 species that were exposed in water to various concentrations of 107 chemical agents. “For most of the classes of chemical compounds we looked at, frogs range from being moderately susceptible to being bullet-proof,” said David Skelly, professor of ecology at the environment school and a member of the research team. Team leader Jacob Kerby of the University of South Dakota added, “What our results suggest is that all animals are susceptible to chemical stressors and that amphibians are potentially good indicators,” but “there isn’t any evidence that they’re a uniquely leading indicator.”

Kroon Hall receives design awards

Kroon Hall, the environment school’s new ultra-green home, captured two awards for “compelling” design from the American Institute of Architects (AIA): an Honor Award from AIA New England and a Design Award from AIA Connecticut. The building is expected to achieve a platinum rating in the green-building certification program, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

“The way the building performs is essential to this beautiful, cathedral-like structure,” the jurors noted. “Part of its performance is the creation of a destination on the campus. The long walls of its idiosyncratic, barn-like form define this compelling building.”

Online magazine garners award

The Online News Association honored Yale Environment 360 with its best “specialty site journalism” award at its annual Online Journalism Awards ceremony in October, citing content that is “taking debate to a higher level and is so needed in the journalism community now.” In recognizing Yale Environment 360 as the best small website in a specialized category, the judges praised its mix of reporting, commentary, and discussion, as well as the quality of its writing, the attractiveness of its design, and the level of debate on its interactive reader forum.

Published by the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale Environment 360 was launched in 2008 as an online source for in-depth environmental journalism, commentary, and debate from a global perspective. Earlier this year, TreeHugger named Yale Environment 360 as the Best New Science Site.