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Long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) conservation in the Alberta foothills : 2002 field summary report

Description

Long-toed salamanders are small, cryptic, nocturnal, forest-dwelling salamanders whose range is at its northern limit in Alberta, where they are largely restricted to river valleys in the Rocky... More ≫

Description

Long-toed salamanders are small, cryptic, nocturnal, forest-dwelling salamanders whose range is at its northern limit in Alberta, where they are largely restricted to river valleys in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Long-toed salamanders are listed as a species of "Special Concern" in Alberta. In 2001, a longtoed salamander monitoring program was introduced, placing emphasis on surveying ponds known to contain breeding salamander populations as well as surveying new ponds for presence of salamanders. In 2002, this program was expanded and this report looks at the results of this expanded program.

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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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Western (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and eared (Podiceps nigricollis) grebes of central Alberta : 2002 field summary

Description

The information presented in this report represents the findings from the second year of surveying western and eared grebes within the Stony Plain study area in Alberta. The surveys are projected... More ≫

Description

The information presented in this report represents the findings from the second year of surveying western and eared grebes within the Stony Plain study area in Alberta. The surveys are projected to span a five year period and the project is designed to monitor population trends and reproductive success of western grebes and eared grebes within the Stony Plain study area. In 2002, surveying effort was focused on the primary grebe populations identified in the initial year of the project. The regional population of western grebes was estimated to be approximately 2611 adults on six lakes. The Wabamun Lake colony continues to show signs of poor nesting success, which we now believe to be attributed to high rates of corvid nest depredation. This is a major concern since this colony is ranked nationally significant. Eared grebes were found on 10 lakes, for a conservative overall population estimate of 8633 adults.

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Western (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and eared (Podiceps nigricollis) grebes of central Alberta : inventory, survey techniques, and management concerns

Description

This project focused on western grebes and eared grebes inhabiting the Stony Plain area, which is within the Parkland and Boreal natural regions of central Alberta. These grebe species have a wide... More ≫

Description

This project focused on western grebes and eared grebes inhabiting the Stony Plain area, which is within the Parkland and Boreal natural regions of central Alberta. These grebe species have a wide distribution across western and central North America, yet indications are that they may be declining and could become threatened over the long-term. Relatively little research and monitoring attention has been directed toward these species. To address some of these concerns, surveys were conducted to locate grebe colonies, estimate population sizes, and assess their reproductive success. Various survey methods were also developed, tested, and evaluated, thereby providing a framework for future surveys. In doing so, trend data can now be gathered for western and eared grebes, which will enable local and regional status assessment. Management implications are also provided in this report.

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