Scientists consider amphibians, which die or show signs of stress in degraded environmental conditions, to be biological indicators for all of the following reasons except that they
A) have permeable skin that is easily infected or damaged.
B) live both in water and on land during their life cycles.
C) stay in approximately the same place all their lives.
D) are currently declining at greater rates than are other species.
E) are more adaptable to habitat loss than are other species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Amphibians are considered biological indicators because their permeable skin, dual habitat requirements (water and land), and tendency to stay in the same place make them sensitive to environmental changes. However, they are not more adaptable to habitat loss than other species; in fact, their populations are declining due to habitat loss and other environmental stresses, which contradicts the idea presented in option E.

Scientists Consider Amphibians, Which Die or Show Signs of Stress