Dr. Roberto Brenes
Abstract: Dr. Roberto Brenes will discuss the relationship between the presence of the invasive common buckthorn and the decline of amphibian populations in SE Wisconsin. The common buckthorn is widely distributed in southeastern Wisconsin. Its known for producing a secondary metabolite called emodin that produced deformation and mortality on early developing larvae of some amphibian species. Their research at Carroll University in Waukesha, shows that the effect of the emodin depends on the species and developmental stage of the exposed amphibians. Hence, areas where buckthorn is abundant will see declines in certain species population and the increase or permanence of other species, affecting the ecosystem balance.

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