HHLT Salamander Monitoring Project: Literature Review and Recommendations

HHLT Salamander Monitoring Project: Literature Review and Recommendations

Matthew Smith
Sevda Lag
Ian Warburton
Devin Claypole
Carlie O'Brien

Haliburton Highlands Land Trust, Greg Wickware

Tom Whillans, School of the Environment

4938

2020

on-line

Haliburton County

Salamanders, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science

Salamanders are an important part in any biotic community. There is great concern regarding the decline of salamanders as a whole and not just one individual species however monitoring these species requires that we have an idea on the current populations so that we can continue to monitor and implement conservation strategies with enough time before these species are lost (Smith & Petranka, 2000).
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).

Trent University