Cameron Douglas and Jim Prince]]> Wildlife Biology
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Forestry
Natural Resource Management]]>
◊ Background
◊ Ecology
◊ Significant Identified Species
◊ Species at Risk
◊ Identified Eco-sites 
◊ Bio-indicators
◊ Surveying & Monitoring Tools
◊ Resources

This report will aid in fulfilling the following goals as stated by the HHLT:
◊ Understand the range of possibilities for surveying and monitoring natural areas and the extent of such experiences in Ontario
◊ Identify the information available and needed to design surveys and monitoring programs using permanent sample plots for Ontario natural areas
◊ Explore options for a long-term partnership between Trent]]>
Salamanders have unique traits that make them favourable indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem health. Characteristics being their durability, small size, sensitivity to anthropogenic stressors such as acid rain, and other industrial and household pollutants (Welsh & Droege, 2001) Salamanders existence in North America in high densities and biomass alongside there sensitivity to environmental change makes them excellent indicators for environmental changes (Welsh & Droege, 2001). The sensitivity of the salamanders derives from their semipermeable slim skin that absorbs any contaminated or natural water, as well as harmful toxins in their environment hence why salamanders are less dense in populations near cities (Mattson, 2019). Monitoring is utilized for salamanders due to the fact that they are sensitive to environmental change and act as bioindicators to detect the change in ecosystems over time (Saber et al. 2017).]]> Sevda Lag
Ian Warburton
Devin Claypole
Carlie O'Brien]]>

1) What invasive species have been sighted on or in lands adjacent to the HHLT properties: Fred and Pearl Barry Wetland, Barnum Creek Nature Reserve, Dahl Forest, Smith Forest, and Norah’s Island.
2) What invasive species could exist on or in lands adjacent to any of the above-mentioned properties?
3) What monitoring protocols are used by similar organizations and could be implemented by the HHLT to monitor their properties for invasive species?

The purpose of this project is to answer each of the HHLT research questions in order to better inform the land trust of the threat of invasive plants and potential ways to approach monitoring them in the future.]]>