Final answer:
The Endangered Species Act is the legislation likely used to protect the Wyoming toad in 1985. Conservation measures provided under the act focus on habitat preservation, breeding programs, and research. Similar strategies, including habitat manipulation and aversion training, are used to mitigate the impact of invasive species like the cane toad on native wildlife.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1985, when there were only 16 Wyoming toads left in the wild, the act that might protect them was the Endangered Species Act. This act provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. The conservation measures for the Wyoming toad likely involved habitat preservation, breeding programs, and research into the toad's ecological needs to prevent extinction.
For amphibians like the Wyoming toad, which are experiencing global declines due to factors like habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution, such conservation efforts are critical. Additionally, management strategies like eliminating sources of water in arid regions can be crucial for controlling the spread of invasive species like the cane toad in Australia, which poses a serious threat to native wildlife through toxic poisoning.
Conservationists employ tactics such as manipulating habitat suitability and fostering aversion learning in native predators. For example, fencing off water sources to limit expansion, or training predators to avoid toxic toads, can enhance the survival of species affected by invasive toads. These methods address the ecological impacts and aim to restore balance in native ecosystems.