The salamanders of the watershed

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Written by Nicolas Bousquet, Biol.
Field Project Coordinator
COGESAF
Cogesaf

Reading time: 5-6 minutes

The Lake Massawippi watershed is home to several species of salamander, particularly the stream  salamander. There are three species of stream salamander: the two-lined salamander, the northern dusky salamander and the purple salamander. The presence of numerous streams in forested and mountainous areas favours the presence of these species around Lake Massawippi.

Stream salamanders are very discreet but fascinating little creatures! These amphibians live mainly in small, cool, well-oxygenated streams. Surprisingly, this group of salamanders has no lungs, and breathes through its skin and larvae using gills. For this reason, stream salamanders must constantly keep their skin moist and live mainly in the aquatic environment. Although adults may venture a few meters from the stream into the terrestrial environment, they are usually found buried deep in the stream under rocks or other shelter such as branches. As for the larvae (juvenile salamanders), they are totally dependent on the aquatic environment, due to their gills.
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Because of their dependence on the aquatic environment, stream salamanders are very fragile species. In fact, the Northern Dusky Salamander is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable, and the Purple Salamander is designated as vulnerable under Quebec’s Act respecting threatened and vulnerable species. There are many conservation issues for stream salamanders, and generally speaking, they can be greatly affected by changes in the quantity and quality of the water in their habitat. Changes in the flow of a watercourse, deforestation of the riparian strip, sedimentation, contaminant inputs and the draining or drying up of watercourses are all factors that can considerably harm stream salamanders.

It’s interesting to note that some of the Massawippi Conservation Trust properties have been included in an extensive long-term monitoring program for stream salamanders. There are currently two studies underway. Indeed, as these properties are free of anthropogenic threats, it is interesting to see the evolution of populations in this sector over a 10-year period. This data can then be compared with sites undergoing significant pressure, such as those under forest management. In addition, the project aims to understand the potential impact of climate change on stream salamander populations. It is possible that climate change will have an impact on stream salamanders, particularly with increasingly frequent and intense dry spells in summer.

 

This long-term monitoring project stems from a problem often observed in the acquisition of rigorous data for population monitoring, particularly for species with precarious status. Indeed, the lack of funding for knowledge acquisition often results in significant gaps in our knowledge of population trends. The project sponsor, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, has therefore set up a long-term (10-year) monitoring program for the purple salamander throughout the Estrie region. Some ten conservation organizations are involved in the project, including COGESAF. Each organization is responsible for monitoring a small number of streams, thereby reducing project costs and workloads. COGESAF’s role in this project is to monitor two streams on sites designated as “no or low impact” by human activities on the properties of the Massawippi Conservation Trust. As a herpetology enthusiast who has been working as a biologist for COGESAF for the past 5 years, this project is particularly close to my heart. Finally, I’d like to highlight the collaboration of more than a dozen conservation organizations working together to improve knowledge of the purple salamander and protect it more effectively… in the hope that this project will inspire other initiatives like it for other species or other regions!

 

About the author: Nicolas Bousquet is a biologist and has been field project coordinator at COGESAF for over 5 years. His fields of expertise are invasive alien species control and biodiversity conservation. He worked as a research professional at the Université de Sherbrooke, before pursuing his career with an environmental and forest management consulting firm, then as an external consultant with the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs. For several years, he has specialized in the study and conservation of herpetofauna, mainly turtles and stream salamanders. He has participated in a number of projects involving inventories, population monitoring, identification of threats, monitoring of egg-laying sites and the creation of facilities. He also enjoys sharing his knowledge, notably through lectures and writing articles.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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

BAT CONSERVATION OF THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS

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Bats are one of the world’s most misunderstood species, yet they exist on every human-inhabited continent. There are so many myths tainting the image of these unique mammals. History has made them out to be scary creatures when in fact bats are important human allies, vital in the fight against pesky insects. In truth, the scariest thing about bats is this: they’re being decimated in Canada by a disease called White-nose Syndrome.

As humans, we’ve learned all too quickly how diseases can spread through closely gathered populations exposed to infection. Bats are no different. White-nose Syndrome has reduced bat populations by almost 95 per cent in eastern Canada, leading to several species being designated as Endangered. This summer, White-nose Syndrome was found on bats in Saskatchewan. Critical social distancing is impossible for bat populations headed back to their winter hibernation sites. As colonies instinctively gather together, there is a greater risk of contracting White-nose Syndrome. Clearly, it’s a frightening time to be a Canadian bat!
Reproduced from the Canadian Wildlife Federation website.

THE MISSION OF BAT CONSERVATION OF THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS IS TO TAKE CONCRETE ACTIONS TO PROTECT BATS IN THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. THIS PROGRAM BENEFITS FROM THE EXPERTISE OF BIOLOGISTS WITHIN THE APPALACHIAN CORRIDOR TEAM AS WELL AS RESSOURCES AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORTS ITS ACTIVITIES.
To find out more please click on the Appalachian Corridor website 

Salamander Sequence

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Email from Félix Plante, University of Sherbrooke

“The inventory of creek salamanders was successfully completed last Thursday by the members of COGESAF and myself.
We were able to find and count all three species of creek salamanders, the purple salamander, the two-lined salamander and the northern dusky salamander.
As mentioned previously, since this is a long-term study, the complete and popularized results will be transmitted only after the 10 years of inventory planned for the project.
The inventories will therefore continue each year, and will be carried out by the COGESAF team.
I thank you again for your precious collaboration, it is much appreciated.”

Why are salamanders so important?

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We have two salamander studies currently underway on the Massawippi Trust conserved lands.
Why study these particular creatures?

They are small and mighty indicators of the health of the environment.

They are one of three orders of amphibians which include frogs and toads and Caecilians (limbless amphibians found only in the tropics). There are approximately 400 species of Salamanders worldwide ranging in size from 4 cm to 1.5 m! One third of the planet’s amphibian species are threatened with extinction.
Quebec is home to 10 species of salamanders, including two species that are found only in Quebec: the purple salamander and the mountain dusky salamander. The purple salamander lives on our protected lands in the Lake Massawippi watershed.They are mostly short-bodied, long-tailed organisms with four legs and moist skin. The purple salamander, a variety of the brook salamander, has no lungs! How does it survive? It “breathes” through its moist skin. It can only survive near very small, medium-sized mountain streams. It needs flat rocks and clear, pure water. A high water flow probably indicates the presence of fish, its predators. It lives at the top of the stream, in the shade, in the forest, where the water is fresh. It lays its eggs on the underside of rocks. As its life cycle is characterized by a long larval period (from three to six years), the environment and the climatic conditions must be stable to ensure its survival.

 

They are nocturnal creatures. They spend their days underground or under the cover of moist leaves, so unless you are a midnight hiker, chances are you won’t see them. They are sensitive to any changes in water quality, air temperature, and humidity. They are both prey and predator and as such are often used as an indicator of ecosystem health. These cold blooded creatures have such specialized ecological niches, which are threatened by climate change and rising temperatures, that they are considered bio indicators (species used to assess the quality of the environment and its changes over time) of climate change.
Salamanders control pests by eating insects like mosquitos. They also eat tadpoles and aquatic invertebrates. They are food for larger animals like birds, mammals, snakes and other invertebrates. They occupy an important position in the food web. Anything which impacts their prey or their predators will be reflected in the salamander population. Other organisms rely on them.
A change in acidity in breeding ponds or a drop in ambient water and they die. Their moist, permeable skin makes them vulnerable to drought and toxic substances. They are considered the “canary in the coal mine” because they are so susceptible to small changes in the habitat and as such as are exceptional indicators of ecosystem health.

In Quebec, agricultural and silvicultural effluents, causing the addition of sediments and the alteration of water quality, constitute the threat the most negative impact on the species according to the experts. They give it a high impact rating. Among the other threats, three categories also have a moderate impact on populations management and water use, transportation and service corridors, and logging. (Translation of text found in ref. page 7 https://mffp.gouv.qc.ca/documents/faune/PL_retablissement_salamandre-pourpre_2021-2031.pdf French version is the official version.)

Salamanders promote resilience in the ecological niche, they…

  • control the population of pests by eating them.
  • contribute to soil health by secreting valuable micronutrients from their skin as the burrow underground.
  • Maintain carbon stores by controlling bug population who would otherwise eat off the leafy woodland floors. By maintaining the leaf coverage, they also help store the carbon.
  • Help contribute to the maintenance of healthy headwater streams

“Their contribution to headwater stream maintenance is one of the most important offerings they (unwittingly) make to the human world. The health of our major waterways — rivers, lakes and streams — emanates directly from headwater stream health, and these waterways feed into underground aquifers that supply clean drinking water to humans.” said Sarah Jay in Discover Magazine (https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/salamanders-can-do-what)
Her article is based on the finding of scientists Best, M. L.; Welsh, H. H., Jr. 2014. The trophic role of a forest salamander: impacts on invertebrates, leaf litter retention, and the humification process. Ecosphere 5(2): article 16. (ref. https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/45487)
Impactful research and findings!

Other researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia as reported in the Science Daily said:
“Salamanders typically live underground. They live in places most people don’t see, and they live in these small, headwater streams where there are no other fresh-water vertebrates. Fish can’t exist in these small streams. This is where water seeps out of the rock, where all streams begin life as a stream. …salamanders comprise a huge amount of protein biomass for these headwater stream ecosystems,” Semlitsch said. “We that’s important because that biomass can then be used by consumers, such as predators, or could be used by decomposers in that system. The salamanders also are consuming aquatic insects. They are a key link, we think, in these headwater stream systems that has not been detected or uncovered before.
“The amount of biomass we’ve reported is much, much higher than has ever been reported before, suggesting these headwater streams are very important ecosystems and they deserve protection. In my view, they actually deserve more protection than further down stream. It seems logical to me to protect the water where it’s coming out of the ground to retain and maintain clean water and provide ecosystem services downstream.”
(ref. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080222095730.htm)

The health of important ecosystems, including the forests and wetlands where most amphibians are found, are valuable beyond words. These environments contribute billions of dollars to the economy by supporting recreation as well as the fishing and timber industries.

What does the Massawippi Conservation Trust do by preserving and protecting the forested ridge and water basin of Lake Massawippi? We protect the very land that the salamander needs to survive. His protection and his presence on our land contributes to our survival.

For your information

The two types of salamanders being studied on MCT land are the:

EASTERN REDBACK SALAMANDER (Trevor Scott, Université de Sherbrooke)
Plethodon cinereus
Appearance: This species has a slender body, a narrow head and small legs. Its back is striped (reddish or brownish) or without stripes. The belly has patterns similar to ash. The tail is cylindrical. It can measure up to 13 cm.
Habitat: Hardwood forests, mixed forests, coniferous forests and wet rocky areas.
Status: Common and widespread in Quebec.

SPRING SALAMANDER (COGESAF and the Nature Conservancy of Canada)
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
Description: This salamander is pink or orange with darker spots. The tail has a carina and is laterally compressed. A pale line connects the eye to the nostril. The belly is pale. It can reach more than 20 cm.
Habitat: Found at high altitudes, it frequents mainly resurgences and streams with rocky or gravelly bottoms.
Status: Designated vulnerable in 2010 (provincial status). In Canada, it is considered a species of special concern (federal status). It is present in the Adirondacks, the Appalachians and on some Monteregian mountains.

Think about an ice cube, the smaller it is the faster it melts

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Ecological connectivity
Breaks in ecological corridors
Forest fragmentation
Why is it important to connect parcels of land and maintain open corridors?
  • Did you know that you need to be 200 to 300’ from the forest edge for the sound of cars and lawn mowers to be muffled and to be able to find a cool, shady spot where the forest floor is still damp even during a 3 week drought?
  • It takes 14 acres of forest to have just one such acre in the centre where the truest forest conditions exist?
  • A residential pocket inside a forest affects up to 30 additional acres with disturbances?

Forest fragmentation occurs by the introduction of roads, agriculture, utility corridors, subdivisions etc. The greater the fragmentation, the faster the disappearance of the forest. Think about ice cubes. The smaller the cube, the faster it melts.

Many species are at the northern limit of their habitat. With the effects of climate change we will continue to see a movement of species, northward into our region.
“Ecological networks are a vital conservation strategy for supporting biodiversity as it responds to climate change. Changing climate conditions are forcing species to shift their ranges. Over the long term, connectivity science can respond to the risks posed by climate change by quantifying habitat and movement needs, predicting how they will change, and identify opportunities to protect large networks of habitat to safeguard connectivity and support species in the long-term.”
Excerpt taken from: A review of ecological connectivity science in the Region of Resolution 40-3 Executive Summary. An Assessment of the Science and Projects Describing the Ecologically Connected Landscape of the Northeast Region of North America.
https://www.connectiviteecologique.com/sites/default/files/2021-07/Connectivity-Analysis-40-3_Summary_EN.pdf

  • Forest fragmentation leads to the loss of biodiversity, reduction in forest health and water quality, increased threat from invasive plants, species and pathogens.
  • Quebec wants to conserve 30% of its land by 2030, in 8 years. At the moment only 17% is protected.
  • 91% of the land in the Eastern Townships is privately owned. Therefore it is essential to speak about conservation methods and find ways to reach property owners, educate them about the benefits of conservation.

https://www.corridorappalachien.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CorridorAppalachien_Bulletin-Printemps_EN_WEB_20220413.pdf

The Massawippi Conservation Trust currently owns or has under its protection, 1,200 acres of land (485 hectares of land). The vast majority is contiguous and on the western ridge of Lake Massawippi. This virgin forest is know for its clean water and healthy habitat which supports many species of salamanders. These important creatures may act as an indicator species of the ecological integrity of the forest they occupy together with the earthworm.

Land use planning is a tool that can be used to protect essential habitats.
As stated in the Appalachian Corridor website: Municipalities and MRCs have access to many tools to generate positive outcomes for the environment and can use their regulatory powers to contribute to the conservation of nature. Municipalities can capitalize on the following levers to foster the health and conservation of natural areas:
• Zoning bylaws
• City or town planning master plan
• Site planning and architectural integration plans
• Conditional uses
• Delivery of permits and certificates
• Municipal works agreements
• Tree planting and tree felling/logging regulations
• Vegetation cutting/mowing bylaws
• Outdoor lighting regulations
• Subdivision bylaws For instance, municipalities can adopt a nature-friendly approach to land use planning and bylaws, limiting the destruction or the degradation of the most sensitive features on a territory such as summits, steep slopes, or riparian areas.

Municipalities can also establish a legal conservation status on properties they own. Nature conservation can also be taken to a whole new level when neighbouring municipalities work together to develop and integrate a comprehensive and holistic conservation vision. In addition to supporting the region’s municipalities in advancing their projects for the conservation and protection of natural areas, Appalachian Corridor recently launched a guide to support municipalities and MRCs throughout Québec. This guide, structured in the form of two toolboxes, provides guidelines to encourage municipalities and MRCs to foster ecological connectivity and natural area conservation on their territories. These tools were developed as part of the Initiative québécoise Corridors écologiques.
https://www.corridorappalachien.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CorridorAppalachien_Bulletin-Printemps_FR_WEB_20220413.pdf

You don’t own land?
How can you help?
Find out if your municipality has any environmental plans, has it updated its zoning laws to reflect current realities? Get involved with your municipality and local regional governments. Join an environmental committee. Use your voice and your vote.

We would like to thank the following people and organizations for the ideas collected and shared here.
‘Woods Whys’ by Michael Synder (published by Bondcliff Books) who wrote for years for the Vermont Woodlands magazine and who is currently a Vermont State Forester and Commissioner with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation.
Our affiliated partner Appalachian Corridor who organised a very informative webinar on the importance of ecological corridors and have participated in studies and research papers over the years on the importance of the corridors in our local area not to mention many other topics in line with conservation.