Surprising Slugs

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Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading time: 5-6 minutes

As I was sitting on my balcony one misty morning, enjoying my cup of coffee, my eyes wandered to my garden box in which I had planted some of my favourite fine herbs earlier in the season. My heart sank… ruined. All of them. And the slimy culprits were still there… slowly cruising their way around the box like they owned the place. The more I looked, the more I noticed and my disappointment quickly evolved into curiosity… Slugs. What a peculiar creature. What intrigued me most of all was the fact they don’t seem like an animal that would be likely to thrive… they are slow, soft… seemingly so vulnerable… and yet clearly they do just fine.

I had to admit I knew very little about this oozing invertebrate so omnipresent in our natural world. I remember skimming over the topic in Zoology class back in university, but still had so many unanswered questions and so I figured it was about time I brush up on my gastropod knowledge. Starting with researching the very basics, I was reminded of how very much there is to know when we start studying the wonders of the natural world. Slugs are no exception, as these everyday invertebrates have much more going on than we might care to notice…

 

 

What is a slug, really?

While they may appear to share some physical characteristics with worm-type critters, slugs actually fall into the same phylum as octopuses, squids, clams, oysters and snails – that of the mollusks.

As many may guess, a slug is essentially a snail without a shell. That being said, it is not a snail that has lost its shell in the course of its lifetime, but rather over the course of evolutionary time. Interestingly, this has happened along multiple lineages meaning that slugs did not emerge from a single-shelled ancestor but rather emerged independently from various shelled ancestors. This means that while most slugs bear a striking resemblance to one another, they do not necessarily share origins.

Why lose the shell? A shell seems like an awfully good idea if your body is soft, squishy and relatively defenseless. So why bother losing such a seemingly useful protective covering? One theory suggests it is an energy trade-off – foregoing the energetic cost of growing a shell to invest energy in other aspects of survival – such as growing faster in order to reproduce sooner. Another suggests a shell can be problematic when trying to move through tighter spaces which can be extremely useful when attempting to escape danger.

At first glance, a slug’s body might not appear all that elaborate, but when you take the time to observe closely, it truly is fascinating. For starters, as different as they are from humans, slugs do get around “on foot”. Foot being the word used to describe the muscular base of their bodies and the part that contracts and helps move it forward (with the help of mucus, of course). When viewing slugs from above, we can’t help but notice a sort of hump closer to the tentacles – this hump is known as the mantle. The mantle is a feature found in all mollusks and is the area where the visceral mass is located. In some species of slug, the mantle can contain remnants of a shell either in the form of a small plate or granules – evidence of their evolutionary story. Just under the mantle, when it is in use, you can observe an opening called a pneumostome which serves as a breathing pore for the slug – I like to think of it as a single side nostril.

At the head of the body, we can observe two pairs of tentacles. Each pair has different functions. The uppermost can be likened to eyes, though they are only sensitive to light and do not form crisp images like the human eye; they also function as smelling organs. Feeling and tasting are the jobs of the lower pair of tentacles. These sensory tentacles are retractable and can be regrown in the event of a mishap.

Beneath the lower tentacles lies the equipment responsible for wreaking havoc on my fine herbs and so many people’s gardens – the mouthparts. Inside the mouth of a slug, it is almost as if the tongue and teeth are one. The radula, a tongue-like structure, is covered in minuscule serrations known as denticles that rasp off food particles as the slug moseys along at its leisurely pace.

 

Why so slimy?

A description of a slug’s body would not be complete without giving due attention to mucus (aka slime). If you have ever picked up a slug, intentionally or otherwise, you likely had a sticky residue on your skin afterward. Or perhaps, while walking down a forest path, you noticed glistening trails left behind on the earth. Both constitute evidence of one of the most vital aspects of slug biology: mucus.

 

Slugs have two varieties of mucus on their bodies helping them in the departments of mobility, communication, and protection. The thin, watery mucus that spreads from the foot out to the edges and from the front of the foot to the back helps the slug get around along with the foot’s muscular contractions. It is in this lighter slime that slugs can pick up what other slugs are “putting down”, so to speak. Whether it be in order to find a mate or for some species of carnivorous, predatory slug to track potential prey. This slime carries messages.

 

The thicker, stickier mucus coats the remainder of the slug’s body and this not only protects the slug, whose body is mostly made of water, from desiccation, but it can help it slip out of a predator’s grasp. Furthermore, it isn’t very palatable to some animals, serving as an additional deterrent to possible predators.

 

What is my point?

While doing research, I kept uttering tiny gasps of amazement as I was reacquainting myself with these creatures. And this article touches on but a fraction of their natural history. Admittedly, it’s rare I give them the time of day. I am careful not to tread on them, but it is typically the children with whom I am walking who draw my attention to them…

 

Present in all different shapes and sizes, unlike a lot of other wildlife, slugs are out in plain sight if the conditions are humid enough. They are just asking to be observed, to be admired for the supernatural-looking beings they are. What’s more, they aren’t going anywhere in a hurry so you can take your time with them, bring the magnifying glass in closer and really get to know them.

 

These opportunities for intimate observation of and connection with a wild species, no matter the type, are gifts. The next time you come across a slug on your walk through the woods, why not stop and graciously accept this gift, take a moment with this shell-less gastropod… and see what happens? You might be surprised.

 

Build Your Nature Vocabulary

Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!

  • Gastropod
  • Phylum
  • Foot
  • Mantle
  • Visceral mass
  • Pneumostom
  • Tentacles
  • Radula

Références

 

Photo caption: Though slugs are hermaphroditic, they will attempt to find a mate to reproduce. Once found, they can be observed in a ritual courtship display prior to mating. They each form a circle surrounding their protruding genitalia while sperm is being exchanged. Days later, eggs are laid in a protected area such as a hole in the ground or under a log.
Bu promosyonun en çekici yanlarından biri, bahis severlerin deneme bonusu veren siteler üzerinden yatırım yapmadan oyun oynayabilme rahatlığına kavuşmasıdır. Dolayısıyla, bahis oynamak isteyen ancak bu sitelere para yatırma konusunda tereddüt eden kişiler için deneme bonusları mükemmel bir başlangıç noktası sunar.

Turtles and the Tomifobia

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Every spring, when the temperatures start to warm up, the turtles get busy, so we can get a good look at them. Because turtles are cold-blooded animals, they try to optimise their metabolism by finding warmth. You can therefore see turtles well exposed to the sun on sandbanks by the river or on branches emerging from the water.

The egg-laying season soon begins, towards the end of May and at least in June. The adult females will therefore put themselves at risk to find an interesting egg-laying site. Ideally, they will look for a natural site consisting of sand and/or gravel on the banks of the river or body of water where they live. Adult females of several species, notably the snapping turtle, the painted turtle, and the wood turtle (species present in our sector) will sometimes look for nesting sites along roadsides, footpaths, or even in active sandpits. Obviously, this behaviour puts them at high risk of mortality from collisions with cars or machinery. This is a major cause of turtle mortality and does not help to maintain healthy populations.

How can we help them stay safe and sound during this period? By simply being vigilant! Whether you’re driving, walking or cycling on structures bordering lakes, rivers, ponds or wetlands, you can remain vigilant for the presence of turtles and react appropriately if they are present. You can slow down and let them continue on their way, warning other motorists of their presence for example. In an immediate emergency, you can help it cross the road, always in the same direction it was going. It is vital not to put the animal back in the water or move it to another location. You can also take a photo and report its presence on the www.carapace.ca website. Reporting turtles to the carapace.ca project is particularly important for local stakeholders, who can find out more about problem areas. It also gives them more data and more leverage to convince the authorities when it comes to planning developments.

Several species of turtle are in trouble in Quebec, including the wood turtle, which has been designated vulnerable. A number of factors are involved, including deaths caused by machinery or cars, but also by the destruction or modification of its habitat, heavy predation and, unfortunately, the collection of individuals for resale or keeping in captivity.

This is also the case for the Tomifobia river population, which remains small despite its high-quality habitat. We suspect that occasional anthropogenic deaths caused by cars, but mainly by farm machinery, combined with low recruitment of young due to high nest predation, are factors that could explain the current low numbers in the Tomifobia River population. The COGESAF team, therefore, has a project underway to better understand these dynamics and propose solutions to reduce the risk of mortality, mainly for adult females.

One aspect of this project is to monitor the movements of five turtles fitted with a radio transmitter and a GPS sensor, enabling us to track their movements on a daily basis. Preliminary data shows that our turtles do cross roads and farm fields, making them vulnerable to collisions.

We can remain positive about the fate of the Tomifobia River population because a number of conservation organizations have been working on it for a number of years! What’s more, as we mentioned, the habitat for this population is of high quality. We will be proposing to the farmers concerned that the mowing height be raised to 10 cm to reduce the risk of mortality for this vulnerable species. We also suggest that you keep your eyes open and remain vigilant when travelling by car in this sector!

 

Nicolas Bousquet, biol.,

Field Project Coordinator

 

5182, boul Bourque

Sherbrooke (Québec) J1N 1H4

Phone 819-864-1033 poste 103

www.cogesaf.qc.ca 

 

Biodiversity, Jenga and the 2023 Monarch Butterfly Project

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Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading time: 5-6 minutes

With the passing of “No Mow May”, many might find themselves curious about the overall importance and impact of seemingly simple gestures such as letting a lawn grow out for one extra month each year. The short answer: when it comes to conservation, it can be easier to appreciate the interconnectedness and the impact of each moving part when we zoom out. A lawn is not just a span of grass that needs tending for aesthetic purposes, it is a habitat. Not only is it part of a wider network of similar habitats (i.e. other people’s lawns, fields and the like), but it is one that, if left to its own devices, grows a much wider variety of plant species that eventually flower making it much more valuable to wildlife, pollinators in particular.

This article is not about “No Mow May”, however, but rather the overarching concepts of biodiversity, conservation and how they pertain to the plight of pollinators. As summer approaches and we begin to move forward with the Massawippi Foundation Monarch Butterfly Project, we are sharing more about the concepts underlying efforts of this type to protect the Monarch population.

 

Understanding Biodiversity

You have likely heard the term before, but what does biodiversity mean to you? It may conjure images of a thriving ecosystem with a variety of species living alongside one another. Without a doubt, we can appreciate variety, the beauty of it, and the notion of “richness”, but what exactly is biodiversity and why is it important?

Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life. (Worldwildlife.org)

The above definition highlights that biodiversity includes not just the elements we can see, nor the ones we deem “beautiful”, but all of the living parts, right down to the microscopic players. It also weaves in the notion of working together. Each species in a biodiverse ecosystem has specific roles to play that will impact the survival of other species in the ecosystem to varying degrees.

This does not mean each species has a role all its own without any overlap. In fact, redundancy is one of the key ways in which biodiversity sustains healthy, resilient ecosystems. There are various ways of envisioning how this operates. Think of biodiversity as Nature’s built-in contingency plan. Ehrlich and Ehrlich (1981) compared each species in an ecosystem to the rivets on a plane – if one is removed, the impact is minimal, but the more rivets removed, the greater the risk of catastrophe.

Another way of looking at it is likening an ecosystem to a tower of Jenga blocks. Each block represents a species (and the roles it plays) within that ecosystem. The more blocks (species) removed, the less stable the tower (ecosystem) becomes. As blocks are slowly removed, the tower may stay upright, but is much more vulnerable to disruption – a breeze, the floor shaking… This is not unlike how an ecosystem becomes more vulnerable to disasters such as storms, droughts or invasive species. The more diverse the system, the sturdier the tower and the more resilient it is to adversity.

 

The Importance of Encouraging Biodiversity

Biodiversity supports everything in nature that we need to survive: food, clean water, medicine, and shelter. (Worldwildlife.org)

From a purely anthropocentric standpoint, biodiversity serves us and we therefore have a vested interest in maintaining it. That being said, we often have a tendency to focus on the grander species or charismatic megafauna. The thing is, the bigger the animal does not necessarily mean the greater the importance.

Insects comprise two-thirds of life on Earth and each year they are responsible for providing ecological services valued at $57 billion. Perhaps one of the most valuable services is that of pollination. According to Pollinator Partnership, we can thank pollinators for two out of every three bites of food we eat and they sustain overall ecosystem function by helping plants reproduce.

 

Zooming Back In: The Massawippi Foundation Monarch Project

As you might imagine, there is a lot more to the big-picture conversation on biodiversity, conservation and pollinators. When it comes to passing from learning to action, however, zooming back in is essential if we want to avoid overwhelm and downright discouragement. So how, where and when can we start?

Put simply: Start small, focus close to home and start as soon as you can.

In March, we shared an article on the Monarch Butterfly, introducing an exciting new project spearheaded by the Foundation in collaboration with Nature Nerding. This project is the Foundation’s way of taking action by zooming in on how it can have a concrete impact on the pollinator population in its own backyard.

 

Starting small and close to home: Milkweed and Monarch conservation at Scowen Park

As soon as we can: Launching this summer!

This project also encompasses the four tenets of conservation which are fundamental to the Foundation’s conservation mission:

  1. Preservation – The natural milkweed and monarch habitat in the fields at Scowen Park will be protected and we hope to eventually lead initiatives that protect the milkweed populations throughout neighboring communities.
  2. Research – The project will include a citizen science component like several existing Monarch Butterfly projects (see list below).
  3. Recreation – Project elements will be available for all visitors to view, admire and enjoy when they come for a walk at Scowen.
  4. Education – The project will involve the installation of information panels as well as educational activities and visits open to the public (more details coming soon).

The hope is to make use of resources and partake in programs that already exist (adapting them where necessary) while also developing a conservation and education model unique to Scowen Park and the Massawippi Foundation.

For this to be a success, we are counting on the participation from our beloved community!

 

How to Get Involved

Are you interested in learning more about the Massawippi Foundation Monarch Butterfly Project? Do you have ideas you would like to share? Perhaps you would like to watch over metamorphosing Monarchs when the time comes?

No matter your level of interest, we would love to hear from you. We plan to assemble our first ever “Butterfly Brigade” for the summer of 2023 with a first meeting in late June.

To put your name on our list of potential Brigade members, please complete the short form here: 2023 Butterfly Brigade Registration Form

You may also write to the following email with any questions you’d like to ask or thoughts you’d like to share: [email protected]

 

Build Your Nature Vocabulary

Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!

  • Habitat
  • Biodiversity
  • Charismatic megafauna
  • Ecological services

References

– What is biodiversity? Why it’s under threat and why it matters (World Wildlife Fund)
– Pollinators need you. You need pollinators. (Pollinator Partnership)
– Pollinisateurs (Fondation David Suzuki)

 

Bat flying

How can we help bats?

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Reading time : 2 minutes

© CERFO

There are eight bat species present in Quebec. Three are migratory and five are resident. The residents look for places to hibernate each winter. They need a dry place, but with access to water to drink from time to time. The temperature needs to remain above zero during the winter in the chosen space.

Three species are designated as endangered in Canada: the little brown bat, the northern bat and the eastern pipistrelle.

Bats (CERFO)Our conservation partner, Appalachian Corridor, is part of a conservation program with Conservation Chauve-souris des Cantons-de-l’Est (CCSCE) since December 2020. Press release.

This month we have reproduced CERFO’s article on bats. CERFO’s scientists publish articles in layman’s terms so that we, the general public, can better understand them.

Who is CERFO?

CERFO (Centre d’enseignement et de recherche en foresterie), is the Centre collégial de transfert de technologie (CCTT) en foresterie affiliated with the Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CÉGEP) de Sainte-Foy (Québec, Canada), founded in Québec City in 1984. More recently, it has extended its activities to a broader forestry field, including agricultural and urban areas. 

Click on the link to read the article: “ Comment favoriser les chauves-souris en milieu agricole ”

The article is available in French.

The authors:

Bérubé-Girouard, V. and E. Boulfroy. 2023. “ Comment favoriser les chauves-souris en milieu agricole ” (How to encourage bats in agricultural areas). Fiche d’accompagnement pour l’implantation d’aménagements favorisant la biodiversité en milieu agricole no 3. Centre d’enseignement et de recherche en foresterie de Sainte-Foy (CERFO). 6 p.

 “This project is an initiative of the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), funded through the Advisory Services Program, implemented under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.”

We are also sharing with you a video that was produced on this same theme. Here is the video link YT Screenshot

Our partner Appalachian Corridor, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and Granby Zoo, has prepared three videos on the theme 

Bats: Legends and Wonders (Videos)

Bats in your home is a good article from Appalachian Corridor on what to do and what not to do if you find a bat in your home.

Ladies birdwatching

Rethinking Birdwatching

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Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading time: 5-6 minutes

Ladies birdwatchingWhen you think of birdwatching, you may be inclined to picture a group of people of a certain age walking slowly along a trail, most wearing a bucket hat and a vest of some sort. As they meander slowly along a trail, they periodically stop, look up to the treetops and lift their trusty binoculars to their eyes, excitedly whispering to their fellow birders about what they are seeing.

And you likely are not alone in picturing this! Birdwatching has a bit of a reputation as the hobby of choice for retirees, a passtime reserved for “later in life”, if you will. As a thirty-something who has been fascinated by birds her whole life and who has taken to birdwatching more seriously in the past decade, I am inviting a shift in perspective that just might have you reaching for that dusty pair of binoculars you almost relegated to this year’s yard sale pile…

 

Birds as a Gateway to Nature

Kids Birdwatching

Birds “connect us with here and there, with then and now, as they chatter outside our windows or soar past our lives” (Slow Birding, Joan E. Strassman). In a time where our connection with nature can feel tenuous, birds offer a means of reaffirming the existence of wild animal life amidst our daily human existence.

Whether flitting from bush to feeder in your backyard, singing from the depths of the forest as you walk the trail or paddling leisurely in an urban park pond, birds are very much present in our lives, providing an accessible way of acknowledging, appreciating and connecting with the natural world.

 

Give Birdwatching or “Birding” a Try this Spring

Birdwatching is sometimes slightly more challenging (possibly downright discouraging) because we tend to hear birds much more often than we actually see them. And while identifying birds based on their song is a rewarding endeavour all its own, it can be frustrating and might not be the best starting point for the “birding curious”.

That being said, there are indeed more opportune times for bird watching.

In April and May, while many eagerly await the arrival of summer, others are completely content with the spring window of opportunity for birding. Not only are various migratory species returning from overwintering grounds making for a rich diversity of species, but the trees and skies are simply buzzing with activity as our feathered friends forage, claim territories, court mates and begin building nests. Spring is primteline and the possibilities for observation are endless!

The added bonus earlier on in spring: the treetops are still relatively bare making it MUCH easier to spot birds as they go about their activities.

Taking the above into consideration – if ever there was a time to try your hand at birdwatching, this is the time of year!

 

Where and How to Start

If you are even the slightest bit intrigued, here are a few tips for dipping your toe into the wondrous world of birdwatching this spring:

  • Location: Choose a place you already frequent. This could be a nearby park, beach or even the birdfeeder in your own backyard. It is fun to visit new places and discover the wildlife that inhabit them, but starting with somewhere close by that you visit often ensures you have regular occasions to engage with the species of that area and practice your skills.
  • Approach:
    • Brush up on your bird vocabulary. It is much easier to describe something when you are able to use the correct terminology. Start broad with what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology deems the main divisions:
      • Beak (or bill)
      • Head
      • Back
      • Throat
      • Breast
      • Wings
      • Tail
      • Legs
    • Start with species you already “know”. Take a step back and imagine you are seeing them for the first time. You may immediately recognize a Blue Jay, for instance… but have you ever stopped to consider what makes a Blue Jay… a Blue Jay?
    • Practice careful observation before jumping to identification. As humans, we have the tendency to want to name everything as quickly as possible. Resist the urge to jump to conclusions as you observe the birds that cross your path. Some cues for guiding that careful observation, as outlined by The Cornell Lab:
      • Size: What size is the bird relative to species you know? Say you are seeing a Blue Jay for the first time. Size-wise it is larger than a Sparrow, but smaller than a Crow. It is roughly the same size as a Robin.
      • Shape: What about its body shape? A Blue Jay may be similar in size to a Robin, but what features of its body shape can help set it apart? One noteworthy feature could be its crest. It also has less of a pronounced belly than the Robin.
      • Colour Pattern: What stands out first? The Blue Jay’s vivid blue is certainly not one we come across in all birds. Beyond that, where do we notice contrast? Its face, breast, and belly are white save for one stark marking: a black “chin strap”.
      • Behaviour: A few times observing Blue Jays and you may remark that they are quite vocal and far from shy when it comes to taking up space at feeders, for instance.
  • Equipment: Start with what you already have. If you have a pair of binoculars or can borrow one, great! If not, practice birdwatching with the naked eye. Especially if you have access to a birdfeeder, this can be much more effective than you might think. I also recommend keeping a journal where you keep track of your observations, whether in writing, sketches or both! One of the best parts of birdwatching is that it requires relatively little investment – mostly just your time and attention. The bucket hat and vest can come later 😉

woman birdwatching

Above all else, slowing down and refining your birdwatching process ensures that it slowly becomes more intuitive. This makes the experience of encountering new species all the more rewarding and enjoyable as you find yourself increasingly adept at narrowing down the identification possibilities and admiring the wide diversity of species in your very own backyard.

Like with many things in life, the fact birds are so present and available might make us more inclined to disregard them as background features. Life gets busy, time passes quickly and stopping to truly take note of what’s happening around us is a tendency that takes practice. Each opportunity to engage with birds invites one to slow down, engage the senses, get curious and observe carefully.

Consider this as encouragement to all from the birding curious to the seasoned birders to seize these opportunities, even if only from time to time, as they result in boundless peace, wonder, and joy, reminding us of our interconnectedness and shared dependence on this beautiful planet.

Build Your Nature Vocabulary

Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!

  • Migratory
  • Forage
  • Court
  • Crest

References

– Building Skills: The 4 Keys to Bird Identification by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Cornell University)

 

Wood Frog

Sweet Signs of Spring

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Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading time: 5-6 minutes

Every seasonal transition has its own flavour, but perhaps the most highly anticipated transition is the one from winter to spring. After months of cold, snow and fleeting sunlight, there is nothing quite like the elation one feels at the first taste of spring.

We start noticing subtle hints mid-winter… but what are the cues indicating change is truly coming? The days get longer, the temperatures warm… and the natural world responds in kind with its own array of displays and transformations reassuring us that spring is indeed in full swing.

This month we are inviting you to slow down so as to notice and perhaps even acquaint yourselves with a few spring classics:

 

VERNAL POOLS – MORE THAN SPRINGTIME FOREST PUDDLES

 

Photo de https://appalachiantrail.org/official-blog/vernal-pools-temporary-habitats-for-a-t-wildlife/As a child, I remember a certain time of year when the forest would suddenly be full of “ponds”. This was an exciting time as the possibilities for play and exploration were multiplied tenfold! What I did not realize, however, was how important these ephemeral habitats are to the ecosystem.

Vernal pools are small bodies of freshwater that naturally form in low-lying areas in the forest thanks to rain and snow melt. Though temporary by nature, these seasonal wetland habitats are critical for a variety of species. One reason for this is that they have the unique feature of not containing certain predators, such as fish, due to the fact they are isolated from other bodies of water. As such, frogs, salamanders and fairy shrimp rely on these havens to complete their life cycles with a significantly lower threat of having their eggs or other life stages eaten.

According to Nature Conservancy of Canada, vernal pools are under threat. While their seasonal nature has always implied a certain level of unpredictability, factors such as climate change and habitat loss and degradation are taking their toll on the viability of these habitats. Pools do not last as long, do not swell to as big a size, or – in some cases – do not form at all due to changes in rainfall or landscape. This can mean pool-dependent species suffer from higher resource competition or lack of space (in the case of smaller pools) or simply do not have enough time to complete their lifecycle (in the case of shorter pool lifespan).

Invitation – One of the most beautiful things about nature is the inherent purpose of every element in a system, no matter how trivial it might seem to the untrained eye. Vernal pools are no exception. This spring, as the snow gives way to damp leaf litter and mud, see if you can notice the forming of vernal pools in the forests you frequent. Stop and take the time to see if you can spot any of the critters that typically occupy them. Consider the temporary world you are witnessing and how, within a few weeks, it will disappear, not without first fulfilling a vital role in the surrounding ecosystem.

 

SKUNK CABBAGE – A REAL BOTANICAL TRAILBLAZER

 

Most flowering plants wait to bloom once the threat of snow has more or less passed, but one of our local flowering plants has other plans. Keen to claim its place in the moister sections of the forest floor, this plant slowly begins to emerge from the still-frozen ground…

One of few plants capable of thermogenesis, the Skunk Cabbage is able to grow and thrive in snowier conditions. The flower absorbs oxygen and transforms it into heat, which melts the snow surrounding the plant, protects the plant’s cells from freezing and provides a favourable microenvironment for its flowers to develop.

 

Very cool. But why? What is the advantage of showing up so early to the party – especially when there is still snow to contend with? Simply put, the Skunk Cabbage fills a niche that is otherwise unoccupied. It may not look like your conventional flowering plant, but its blooms are one of the first available food sources to pollinators. Named for the pungent odour it emits, meant to resemble that of decomposing flesh, Skunk Cabbage appeals to flies and gnats primarily. However, other insects such as beetles and bees may find themselves visiting the plant either because it is a rare food source for the time of year or, it is speculated, because of its warmth.

Invitation – At a time when many other species are laying low, waiting for more favourable conditions, the Skunk Cabbage challenges what we think we know about the growing season in our climate. I encourage you to set yourself the goal of finding Skunk Cabbage in a humid wooded area near you. Beyond its ability to act as a botanical space heater, it is a flower of stunning character. Bring a magnifying glass with you – what can you learn simply by observing closely with the help of all your senses?

 

THE SOUNDS OF SPRING – A MULTI-SPECIES SYMPHONY

 

What does spring sound like? For me it sounds like…

  • a cacophony of “chicks” and trills rising up from the reeds in the morning sun
  • a whistle and whisper on the wind high above your head as the sky slowly darkens
  • a lone, almost hesitant “cluck” in the mild night air, eventually followed by a resounding chorus of croaks

 

Of course, the sounds we associate with spring depend on the habitats that surround us, who occupy them and at what precise moment of spring we choose to tune in. Even then, the exact composition can differ according to the day, hour, weather and so much more.

Spring is a time of awakening, homecoming and preparation which has the natural world abuzz with activity. Territories being claimed, food being foraged, mates being wooed – everything has a sound that goes along with it. So what is the soundtrack to spring in your neighborhood?

Invitation – Two taxa that take centre stage in the background soundtrack to spring are birds and amphibians. Who do you notice in your surroundings? Below is a list of species you may just be able to hear this spring. Click the link associated with each one, listen carefully and see if you can detect their sounds amidst the ever-evolving chorus throughout April and May.

1. Red-winged blackbird
2. American robin
3. Ruffed grouse
4. American woodcock
5. Wilson’s snipe (winnow)
6. Wood frog
7. Spring peeper
8. American toad

 

At first, it can be challenging to learn how to recognize a species by its sound which is why I recommend learning one at a time. It helps to keep a journal where you not only describe the sound but take note of when you hear it (date and time of day) and where you hear it. This helps you contextualize the sound and also observe any changes from one point in the season to another. Bonus: if you keep a journal this year, you can look back on it next year and compare!

Sometimes we are so focused on the destination of ‘summertime’ that we forget to enjoy the journey that is the spring. Consider this an invitation to slow down more than usual this spring and soak in all of the signs of the natural world re-awakening.

 

Build Your Nature Vocabulary

Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!

  • Vernal
  • Fairy shrimp
  • Thermogenesis
  • Niche
  • Taxa (singular, taxon)

References

– Naturally Curious: A Photographic Field Guide and Month-by-Month Journey through the Fields, Woods, and Marshes of New England par Mary Holland
– Maine Department of Environmental Protection – Fact Sheet Vernal Pools: A Significant Wildlife Habitat
– Nature Conservancy of Canada – Vernal pools (Part One)
– National Wildlife Federation – Skunk Cabbage
– University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Horticulture – Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus

Photo d'oiseaux

How to encourage field birds in agricultural areas

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Reading time : 3-4 minutes
© CERFO
As our thoughts turn to Spring, we start to think more about birds. A renewed membership with SLOE (La Société de loisir ornithologique de l’Estrie), exchanges between members and a link towards an article published by the scientists at CERFO, led this author to reprint the CERFO article here.
Many of our readers are landowners who might be interested in learning more about field birds.The worldwide goal of 30% of the world’s water and land to be conserved and protected by 2030 is a huge goal. Let’s break it down to see what we can do, right here at home, in our own backyards. Everyone can make a difference and play a role in conservation and protection. Let us focus on the here and now in order not to be overwhelmed.

Please click here to read the article (available in French), published by CERFO.
“Comment favoriser les oiseaux champêtres en milieu agricole”
(How to encourage field birds in agricultural areas.)

The authors:

Bérubé-Girouard, V. and E. Boulfroy. 2023. Comment favoriser les oiseaux champêtres en milieu agricole. Fiche d’accompagnement pour l’implantation d’aménagements favorisant la biodiversité en milieu agricole no 4. Centre d’enseignement et de recherche en foresterie de Sainte-Foy (CERFO). 6 p.

“This project is an initiative of the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), funded through the Advisory Services Program, implemented under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.”

We are also sharing with you a video that was produced on this same theme. It presents the testimonies of two agricultural producers who have implemented this type of development and praise its merits! Available in French.

Migrations in Motion

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Migrations in Motion
© Nature Conservancy

 Reproduced from an article from the Nature Conservancy. Justine E. Hausheer
Justine E. Hausheer is an award-winning science writer for The Nature Conservancy.

Reading Time : 3-4 minutes

Justine writes :

New research from Conservancy and university scientists revealed that only 41 percent of the natural land area in the United States retains enough connectivity to facilitate species tracking their preferred climate conditions as the global climate changes. As part of that study, scientists modeled the distribution and habitat needs of 2,903 vertebrate species in the Western hemisphere against land use and projected climate patterns.

Conservancy cartographer and analyst Dan Majka brought this data to life in a series of maps that show what corridors mammals, amphibians, and other animals will use as they move to new habitats under projected climate change. Inspired by wind maps of the United States, and using code from Earth global wind map, adapted by Chris Helm, Majka’s dynamic map allows scientists and the public to see the continent-wide impact of climate change on animals and visualize corridors they will need to move.

The question is, as the animals move to find new habitat because their old habitats are changing due to climate change, where will they go and how will humans interact with them? Looking at the map for the southern part of Quebec, the most heavily populated part of the province, you see the density of the animal migration in this sector.

How can we help?

COP15, the United Nations Biodiversity conference which took place in Montreal in December, concluded with a landmark agreement to protect 30% of the world’s inland waters, land and coastal areas by 2030.
This is a BIG ambitious goal which can cause people to have environmental anxiety.
What if we break it down and see what each community can do in their own backyard?

The Massawippi Conservation Trust (MCT) has been working on land conservation projects since 2011. Together with Appalachian Corridor (est. 2002) and 16 other conservation groups, we are raising awareness, hosting research projects, protecting land through donations, purchases and servitudes. We are building education programs to teach and grow a community of future conservationists.

The majority of the land that we have protected to date is connected, creating a `corridor` for flora and fauna. As we continue to grow, we are looking for more connectivity. We started in an area identified by Appalachian Corridor as being the most vulnerable to human development. These lands, with a very high ecological value, needed urgent attention before they would be lost.

Who protected them? A group of concerned individuals, not scientists, not environmentalists, but people who knew in their hearts that the Massawippi Valley was a special place that needed to be protected for the benefit of all – environmentally, aesthetically and historically.

Although the MCT trustees and Fondation Massawippi Foundation (FMF) board members have changed over time, the current members of the board are still passionate volunteers who bring to the table various skills. We have learned to identify and recognize problematic areas. We are working with our various partners, municipal governments, and other NGOs to see how we can protect more land or change the way we care for the land.

The benefits of ensuring private land conservation in conjunction with local and national conservation projects help mitigate the effects of climate change. Individuals have so much to contribute in terms of helping to regulate water quality and protect irreplaceable natural zones and ecosystems. Achieving objectives in the southern portion of Quebec depends on the contribution of private individuals and local land trusts. After all, most of the land is privately owned.

Some statistics on the land usage of the Massawippi Watershed

512 kms2 in Canada (another 90 kms2 in Vermont)
8.17 kms2 Lake Massawippi
239.6 kms2 of forested land
187.8 kms2 of agricultural land
4,86 kms2 protected by the Massawippi Conservation Trust

We have a long way to go; however, we are making progress. Some conserved lands are providing access to forests and lands for recreational activities and education, contributing to human health and well-being, as well as protecting environmentally sensitive lands, home for insects, birds, and other flora and fauna.  Others are being left untouched for the exclusive use of wildlife.
Climate change is global, meaningful action is local.

COP15 global 30/30, MCT and FMF in the Massawippi Valley 30/30

Metamorphosis

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Metamorphosis
Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading time : 5-6 minutes

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
(Quote from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax)

We often think of conservation as taking place on a large scale, fuelled mainly by grand sweeping gestures like protests and game-changing legislation. But what if I told you that something as simple as caring “a whole awful lot” could be just as important, especially when it comes to finding and claiming our piece in the conservation puzzle?

Caring can take on many forms and in the case of the following story, caring took on the form of a mesh laundry basket…

Back in late August 2018, a retired Townships-dwelling couple stumbled upon an incredible discovery. A pale emerald gem, dotted with gold, hanging from their basement window. What a sight! It was so perfect and beautiful that it hardly looked real. Being of the Nature Nerd persuasion, they suspected it was the chrysalis of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), though it was somewhat uncommon for them to spot one in those days. Intrigued, they began to look around the surrounding plants and much to their surprise and delight came across multiple black, white and yellow-striped caterpillars! More Monarchs! This moment of wonder spurred so much interest they began to do some research.

Even at that time, a few internet searches painted a fairly dismal picture with the words ‘threatened’ and ‘endangered’ making several appearances as they tried to learn more about the Monarch Butterfly. Equipped with some background information, the next step seemed not only obvious but completely feasible: they would care for the Monarchs in their own backyard in whatever way they could. This started as simply “keeping an eye on things”. When they noticed the caterpillars being predated by other insects at an alarming rate, they made the decision to intervene. Enter the mesh laundry basket.

With a handful of caterpillars to house, a mesh laundry basket became the perfect nursery. Placed under the gazebo on their front balcony, furnished with a few sprigs of milkweed and a water source, the caterpillars were able to feed to their hearts’ content and begin the process of transforming, undisturbed. That year the couple released a total of seven adult monarchs and documented three individuals in their backyard who survived natural circumstances.

Fast forward to the present day and every year since they have found themselves eagerly anticipating the waning of summer so they can relive the magic all over again. Their operation has evolved according to all they have learned along the way and they take detailed notes on every cohort. In addition to the nursery (now larger and more sophisticated), they have started to place orange flags along the roadside every August. These flags indicate the location of precious milkweed plants and serve as a means of communicating with town workers who are charged with mowing the tall grass- “Let this grow, please!” It has become a tradition, an annual summer ritual and with each adult Monarch Butterfly that floats by, they relish a feeling of wonder, gratitude and connection for their piece of the conservation puzzle.

This story serves as a heartwarming example of the difference individuals can make when they care about something enough to take notice, learn more and then take action. It is also part of the inspiration for an upcoming project the Foundation has brewing…

Milkweed & The Massawippi Foundation Monarch Project

 

As a migratory species that travels thousands of miles every year to overwinter in Mexico, a multitude of factors have caused a significant decline in the Monarch population. When you zoom out and focus on the scale and complexity of the Monarch’s plight, it is discouraging, to say the least. Deforestation of their winter habitat and extreme weather caused by climate change have taken their toll. Where to begin? When you zoom in and consider the factors that are important in our region specifically, however, the situation seems far less daunting maybe even simple.

While Monarch butterfly adults will feed on the nectar of various indigenous plant species, Milkweed alone is the food source for hungry Monarch caterpillars who will eventually undergo metamorphosis. Unfortunately, this native plant has suffered a significant decline due to the use of herbicides throughout the Monarch’s range. What’s more, studies conducted within the last decade suggested the decline in Milkweed was the most important factor influencing the more recent Monarch population struggles.

Not unlike other plant species, the fact it was once “everywhere” and the fact its name contains the word “weed” likely contributed to it being disregarded by many as a plant of little consequence. But this article is not about lamenting the past, it is about looking to the future.
Once you know what it looks like, it is impossible to ignore the abundance of Milkweed flanking the first section of the trail at Scowen Park in North Hatley. In summer it grows tall and blooms with gorgeous, ample umbels of pinkish purple with a surprisingly pleasant fragrance. In the fall, the plant slowly desiccates and the seed pods mature and eventually crack open displaying a fish-scale arrangement of seeds. Even now, in winter, the dried-up stalks and split pods protrude from the snow. For the Massawippi Foundation, this habitat represents a world of possibilities.

Starting this spring, the Foundation is excited to launch its very own Monarch Butterfly Project. Inspired by stories such as the one above and by various initiatives of organizations across the country (see list below), the Milkweed-filled meadow at Scowen Park will become a hub for learning about and protecting the Monarch Butterfly population that breeds in our area.

The plan is to adopt and build on elements of programs started by other organizations so as to create a project that contributes to existing conservation efforts and is also unique to Scowen Park. Central components of the project include:

  • Learning about and preserving the Milkweed and meadow habitat at Scowen Park
  • Raising community awareness about Monarch conservation
  • Leading educational activities and citizen science data collection days
  • Building a nursery where the public can witness the magic of Monarch metamorphosis

Consider this article as Part I of several outlining this exciting project as well as the fascinating natural history of the Monarch, pollinators in general, and the habitats on which they depend. We could not be more thrilled to be moving forward with this and we invite you to get in touch if you have resources to share or have an interest in getting involved.
Build Your Nature Vocabulary

Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!

  • Chrysalis
  • Endangered (vs. Threatened)
  • Deforestation
  • Indigenous plants
  • Metamorphosis
  • Umbel
  • Citizen science

References

Wetlands are a natural remedy for Canada’s sick lakes

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About the author of this article :
Mark Gloutney is Ducks Unlimited Canada’s national Director of Science, Education and Business Planning.

 

Originally published in The Globe and Mail on September 9, 2022
Thank you for granting us permission to share this article.

Reading Time: 4-6 minutes

Chances are high that you saw it over the summer at your favourite lake: thick scum on the water’s surface, often resembling pea soup. Blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria) can render water unsafe for swimming and often makes people, pets, livestock, and wildlife sick.

In July, Nova Scotia listed 26 waterways suspected to have blue-green algae blooms. Officials with Alberta Health Services identified blue-green algae in areas of Camp Lake, east of Edmonton, and Haunted Lake (an ironic name for a place fouled by the sinister sludge), east of Red Deer. The Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a blue-green algae warning for Little Manitou Lake, southeast of Saskatoon. British Columbia’s Capital Regional District saw toxic algae blooms in three different lakes across two regional parks in August.

In other areas, the issue has been a recurring problem. For the past two decades, federal authorities have been closely monitoring algae conditions in three lakes with chronic blooms – Lake Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods and Lake Erie. The recently released State of the Great Lakes 2022 Report, published jointly by Canada and the United States, suggests there’s still a long road ahead for some of these iconic waterbodies, citing “significant threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, including the impacts of nutrients.”

While algae occur naturally in water, excess nutrients feed overgrowth. The problem often begins far away. Runoff water from the watershed flows downstream, carrying nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. This could be a result of agricultural runoff, sources such as improperly managed septic fields, or wastewater treatment overflows.

Climate change is only making matters worse. Hot weather creates favourable conditions for blue-green algae blooms. August saw heat warnings issued in five provinces, spanning Eastern Canada from Ontario to the Maritimes. British Columbia also saw days of record-breaking temperatures this summer. As heat waves drive more people to seek respite in the water, the sickness plaguing Canada’s lakes may turn them away. People and animals exposed to toxic algae blooms can experience sudden flu-like symptoms and neurological problems.

Facing this, what can we do to keep our lakes healthy and clean? Protect and restore our natural wetlands.
Wetlands are amazing ecosystems that slow runoff flows, keeping excess phosphorus, nitrogen, and other harmful nutrients from lakes and streams. But they continue to be undervalued. Shrouded by cattails, the still and shadowy waters of marshes, ponds and bogs are often mistaken as a symptom of poor water quality rather than a solution to it. But don’t let appearances fool you. Wetlands are one of the most powerful solutions for chronic water issues.

Conservation organizations have long touted wetlands as water filters and a natural defence against the growth of blue-green algae. New research is quantifying this power.

For two years, Ducks Unlimited Canada studied eight small restored wetlands on the north side of Lake Erie to measure their ability to reduce nutrients in water before it reaches a lake. These small wetlands were low-lying, “edge-of-field” areas that had little value for crop production but enormous value in catching runoff from the surrounding agricultural lands. The wetlands retained 60 per cent of the most problematic form of soluble-reactive phosphorus from the water. They also retained 46 per cent of total phosphorus and 47 per cent of total nitrogen. Complementary research conducted in Manitoba showed that draining wetlands increases the amount of nutrients delivered to rivers and lakes downstream.

The good news is we have a strong understanding of what’s causing these outbreaks of blue-green algae and what can be done. The bad news is we’re not investing nearly enough to have a significant impact on the problem. Ducks Unlimited Canada estimates about 32 hectares of wetland are lost every day in Southern Canada.

Until we do more to conserve and restore wetlands, we can expect more beach closings and health advisories. Beyond the obvious drain on summertime fun, the economic, social and ecological repercussions will be significant. Depletion of fishery stocks, losses to tourism, as well as additional expenses related to water monitoring and treatment are all costly realities.

Wetlands are life preservers amid our water crisis. But these ecosystems are stressed. Will we move to protect them before it’s too late – for them, for our freshwater and for all of us?

Click on the link for more information and articles on wetlands written by our friends at Ducks Unlimited: https://www.ducks.ca/stories/