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Alberta swift fox recovery plan 2006-2011

Description

The swift fox, a small fox identified by its long black-tipped tails and black facial spots and which used to range widely across the Canadian prairies, is now listed as Endangered in Canada and... More ≫

Description

The swift fox, a small fox identified by its long black-tipped tails and black facial spots and which used to range widely across the Canadian prairies, is now listed as Endangered in Canada and in Alberta. The goals of this recovery plan include the enhancement and maintenance of habitat for swift foxes to satisfy life cycle requirements and the reduction of swift fox mortality from disease and human-related causes. The plan provides background information on the Alberta Swift Fox, describes the threats facing the species, outlines proposed strategies to address these threats, and presents an action plan that lists priority actions required to maintain and restore the species.

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Reproductive biology of female prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) in Alberta

Description

Many aspects of the biology of prairie rattlesnakes are not well described. This study used mark-recapture to follow the reproductive histories of female prairie rattlesnakes at two hibemacula in... More ≫

Description

Many aspects of the biology of prairie rattlesnakes are not well described. This study used mark-recapture to follow the reproductive histories of female prairie rattlesnakes at two hibemacula in southeastern Alberta over a three year period (2004-2006). In addition, radio-telemetry was used to track the movements of females, revealing the location of several rookeries where gravid females were aggregated. This findings contribute to the understanding of the species’ capacity to recover should populations decline, and a measure of the resilience of the species and its habitat to direct or indirect environmental pressures, aiding wildlife managers to determine the appropriate conservation status.

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Recovery plan for soapweed and yucca moth in Alberta 2006-2011

Description

Soapweed and yucca moths have both been listed as Endangered in Alberta. Soapweeds (commonly known as yucca) and yucca moths have an obligate mutual relationship such that neither species can... More ≫

Description

Soapweed and yucca moths have both been listed as Endangered in Alberta. Soapweeds (commonly known as yucca) and yucca moths have an obligate mutual relationship such that neither species can survive without the other. This plan provides background information on both species, describes the threats facing both, outlines proposed strategies to address these threats, and presents an action plan that lists priority actions required to maintain and recover the two species.

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2004 Pinhorn Grazing Reserve soapweed population survey

Description

Soapweed was approved for provincial listing as an 'endangered' species in 2003. This vascular plant species has an obligate mutualistic relationship with its specialized moth pollinator, the... More ≫

Description

Soapweed was approved for provincial listing as an 'endangered' species in 2003. This vascular plant species has an obligate mutualistic relationship with its specialized moth pollinator, the yucca moth, which is also considered endangered both provincially and federally. There are two known natural populations; one population is on the Agriculture and Agri-food Canada Research Substation in Onefour and the other is on the Pinhorn Grrazing Reserve along half a kilometre of southwest-facing coulee slope of the Milk River drainage. Little is known about the Pinhorn population of soapweed, except that there is little evidence of sexual reproduction at the site.

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Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) hibernacula : monitoring history in Alberta 1987-2002

Description

This report summarizes the results of surveys at rattlesnake hibernacula in Alberta conducted between 2000 and 2002, as well as data from the literature and from historical numbers of snakes at... More ≫

Description

This report summarizes the results of surveys at rattlesnake hibernacula in Alberta conducted between 2000 and 2002, as well as data from the literature and from historical numbers of snakes at hibernacula as captured in the Alberta Biodiversity Species Observation Database. Observations of snakes at hibernacula made by other observers during the formal study are also included. A compilation of historical and recent observations of snakes at hibernacula provides a means of estimating changes in snake numbers at these sites. Until more intensive methods for estimating the size of the prairie rattlesnake population in Alberta are used (e.g., mark-recapture techniques), these observations and surveys can be used to inform future status assessments of this species.

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Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi) in Alberta : literature review and data compilation

Description

This report provides background information for future status assessments of this species and for researchers intending to study bullsnakes within Alberta. The report also outlines several... More ≫

Description

This report provides background information for future status assessments of this species and for researchers intending to study bullsnakes within Alberta. The report also outlines several recommendations for future research and management of bullsnakes that can be applied at a provincial or national level.

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Utilization of a roadside survey technique to survey burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in southeastern Alberta

Description

The western burrowing owl has declined significantly over much of its range in Canada and the United States. The species is listed as Threatened in the Alberta Wildlife Act and is considered At... More ≫

Description

The western burrowing owl has declined significantly over much of its range in Canada and the United States. The species is listed as Threatened in the Alberta Wildlife Act and is considered At Risk within the province. Various conservation measures have been recommended including expanded monitoring of population distribution, productivity and trends. Previous surveys of burrowing owls in Alberta have typically used trend block survey methods. In comparison, roadside surveys require less personnel and equipment, and reduce the need to gain access to private lands.

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Utilization of air photo interpretation to locate prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) hibernacula in the South Saskatchewan River Valley

Description

Current anecdotal evidence suggests that the distribution and abundance of the prairie rattlesnake is declining. Due to a lack of standardized information, a means of conducting a landscape level... More ≫

Description

Current anecdotal evidence suggests that the distribution and abundance of the prairie rattlesnake is declining. Due to a lack of standardized information, a means of conducting a landscape level hibernacula inventory and population assessment of rattlesnakes in Alberta must be developed. Previous work undertaken by Alberta Environment was done to attempt to facilitate this process. This method used air photo interpretation and the ecological land classification system to classify a portion of the South Saskatchewan River valley for the likelihood of containing snake hibernacula. This method was evaluated for effectiveness by conducting ground searches throughout the identified study area and correlating actual locations of confirmed hibernacula to predicted locations. A total of eight hibernacula were confirmed.

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