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The general status of Alberta wild species

Description

The 2000 edition of the General Status of Alberta Wild Species represents a substantial improvement in the knowledge base of wild species in Alberta. Preliminary status assessments were prepared... More ≫

Description

The 2000 edition of the General Status of Alberta Wild Species represents a substantial improvement in the knowledge base of wild species in Alberta. Preliminary status assessments were prepared for 4 735 species of birds, mammals, herpetiles (amphibians and reptiles), freshwater fish, molluscs (gastropods and bivalves), odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), lepidopterans (butterflies and skippers), vascular plants, nonvascular plants and fungi in Alberta. Of these groups, Alberta, along with all other provinces and territories, agreed to report on eight to Environment Canada so that a national evaluation could be undertaken (see Background of the Present General Status Evaluation Exercise). These groups included the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish, butterflies, orchids and ferns. The status of species in these categories is provided here.

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Occurrence and prevalence of chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in amphibian species of Alberta

Description

Infectious diseases are one of a suite of factors implicated in the declines and extinctions of amphibians worldwide. One such disease, chytridiomycosis, is caused by the chytrid fungus... More ≫

Description

Infectious diseases are one of a suite of factors implicated in the declines and extinctions of amphibians worldwide. One such disease, chytridiomycosis, is caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Chytrid fungus was discovered in Alberta in 1999 from necropsies of several specimens of boreal toads and northern leopard frogs collected near Caroline. In late 2006, a pilot-study was conducted to determine whether Bd was present at northern leopard frog sites in southern Alberta. The detection of Bd at multiple sites, and in a provincially Threatened species, led to the expansion of Bd surveillance to other areas of the province, and to other amphibian species between 2007 and 2010. The results, reported in this study, provide a base-line for the occurrence and prevalence of Bd in Alberta. This information is required for the effective conservation and management of a broad suite of amphibian species, many of which are of high conservation concern in Alberta.

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Researching amphibian numbers in Alberta (RANA) : 2005 provincial summary

Description

The Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) program was initiated in 1997 in response to the global decline of amphibians and aims to establish long-term amphibian population and... More ≫

Description

The Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) program was initiated in 1997 in response to the global decline of amphibians and aims to establish long-term amphibian population and distribution data while increasing public awareness of the importance of amphibians and their wetland habitat. This report summarizes results from the 2005 field season of the RANA program and presents amphibian population trends from the history of the program.

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Researching amphibian numbers in Alberta (RANA) : 2004 provincial summary

Description

Field data collection for the Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) program was initiated in 1997 in response to the global decline of amphibians. RANA has two primary objectives: to... More ≫

Description

Field data collection for the Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) program was initiated in 1997 in response to the global decline of amphibians. RANA has two primary objectives: to collect long-tenn data on amphibian species populations in Alberta, and to provide public education on the importance of amphibians and wetland conservation. This document is a compilation of 2004 field results from the six existing RANA sites at Kananaskis (Bow Valley), Hinton (Athabasca Valley), Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, and Manook Biological Research Station near Athabasca.

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Researching amphibian numbers in Alberta (RANA) : 2003 provincial summary

Description

Field data collection for the Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) program was initiated in 1997 in response to the global decline of amphibians. RANA has two primary objectives: to... More ≫

Description

Field data collection for the Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) program was initiated in 1997 in response to the global decline of amphibians. RANA has two primary objectives: to collect long-tenn data on amphibian species populations in Alberta, and to provide public education on the importance of amphibians and wetland conservation. This document is a compilation of 2003 field results from the six existing RANA sites at Kananaskis (Bow Valley), Hinton (Athabasca Valley), Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, and Manook Biological Research Station near Athabasca.

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Researching amphibian numbers in Alberta (RANA) : 2002 provincial summary

Description

Field data collection for the Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) program was initiated in 1997 in response to the global decline of amphibians. RANA has two primary objectives: to... More ≫

Description

Field data collection for the Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) program was initiated in 1997 in response to the global decline of amphibians. RANA has two primary objectives: to collect long-tenn data on amphibian species populations in Alberta, and to provide public education on the importance of amphibians and wetland conservation. This document is a compilation of 2002 field results from the five existing RANA sites at Kananaskis (Bow Valley), Hinton (Athabasca Valley), Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, and Manook Biological Research Station near Athabasca.

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Proposed protocols for inventories of rare plants of the grassland natural region

Description

Several reports have been prepared on the status of Alberta's native plant species. More recently, nonvascular plants have been given some attention and tracking lists have been developed. There... More ≫

Description

Several reports have been prepared on the status of Alberta's native plant species. More recently, nonvascular plants have been given some attention and tracking lists have been developed. There is a relatively good information base for rare vascular species but a very limited one for rare non-vascular plants. This report analyzes the vascular plant species and discusses potential approaches to research, monitoring and conservation of vascular and non-vascular plants in the Grassland Natural Region. There is a fundamental recognition that habitat or landscape level approaches are preferred but that some single species attention may still be required. One hundred and twelve vascular plant species were selected for detailed analysis and preparation of protocols based on their distribution within the Grassland Natural Region.

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