Conference Posters Abstracts
Category 5 — Dealing With Change
The Impacts of Drought on Species-at-Risk and Their Habitat in the Northern Mixed Grass Prairies
Presenter: Susan Rever
Author: Susan Rever
Drought is linked to land degradation so future management of mixed prairie grasslands will require an improved understanding of past and future climate trends. Past grassland productivity analyses show that vegetation index averages were typically lower during drought years. During a severe drought, photosynthesis is significantly reduced, which decreases grassland productivity. I found that the normalized difference vegetation index and soil adjusted vegetation index are negatively correlated with temperature, while the normalized difference moisture index is positively correlated with precipitation and aridity, and negatively correlated with potential evapotranspiration (PET). The moisture stress index is positively correlated with PET, and negatively correlated with precipitation and aridity. Past aridity measurements for the West Block of Grasslands National Park (GNP) indicate that this area was a semi-arid ecoregion during 1978 to 2006. If current trends continue, GNP will fall into the arid classification by 2020 for the month of July. All three global climate models (CGCM2 A21, CSIROMk2b B11 and HadCM3 B21) predict a significant decrease in density and vigour of vegetation by 2050. A decrease in grassland productivity, vegetation density, vigour and canopy water content, along with a more arid climate, will have a considerable impact on the vegetation communities that currently dominate the West Block of GNP. This means a decrease in habitat diversity and suitability for many animal species. The configuration, density, and quality of landscape elements, such as foraging and nesting habitat, required by the SAR to reproduce and find prey will likely be altered in response to increased aridity. In addition, SAR could experience higher mortality rates and lower reproduction in response to higher temperatures and water stress. Management is needed to protect remaining mixed prairie grasslands and ensure viable SAR populations including grassland restoration, conducting long-term climate studies, maintaining dense and widespread populations of prey, and maintaining alternative water sources.
Species at Risk, Agriculture and Agri-Food Research Farms, and Creating Awareness
Presenter: Erl Svendsen
Author: Erl Svendsen
Usually when one thinks of a farm and in particular a research farm, one imagines that the land has been cropped from edge to edge of the property. In many cases that is true. However, there are always exceptions. At Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) there are research farms across Canada with significant portions that have not been cultivated or developed due to topography, soils, hydrology or research focus. And while these properties by themselves (with one exception) are too small to represent an ideal home for most Species at Risk (SAR), they are adjacent to similar uncultivated land, thereby contributing to a larger habitat.
To date, 33 COSEWIC-ranked SAR have been documented on 7 research sites in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. For a few species such as soapweed and the three associated moth species, the only self-sustaining populations are found on AAFC research land. For all SAR, these sites provide good to excellent habitat and, since the Species at Risk Act (SARA) applies primarily to federal land, a measure of protection as well.
Discovering SAR on research properties has meant creating a greater awareness of SAR issues for the staff that work there. AAFC staff have questions such as what is SARA and what are the prohibitions; which SAR can be found on a site; what will it mean for research, general operations and infrastructure maintenance/development; and how can habitat be improved or managed more effectively. The questions are dealt with through information sessions, brochures and on-going consultation.
Do I need a SARA Permit? Overview of need and conditions for permitting
Presenter: Paul Gregoire
Author: Paul Gregoire
The Federal Species At Risk Act (SARA) provides legal protection for species at risk. The Act prohibits the killing, harming or harassing of individuals, the damage or destruction of the residence, and the destruction of critical habitat, except under authority of a permit. Research activities that may impact federally listed species at risk may require a federal SARA permit. Specific criteria and time lines must be met before a permit can be issued. Not all activities are permitted. It is important that research and monitoring activities be planned well in advance of the need for a permit to avoid any delays in field work.
The changing value of citizen science: a Manitoba example
Presenter: Larry Danielson
Author: J. Paul Goossen
The role of citizen scientists in conservation is of increasing importance as government and nongovernment agencies struggle to keep pace with the growth of environmental stressors. Baseline data collected over broad geographical areas are often gathered by citizen scientists who make valuable contributions to scientific and conservation research. Key areas where citizen scientists are making a contribution are through fauna, flora or environmental monitoring programs or projects such as NatureWatch, the Breeding Bird Surveys and the Christmas Bird Count. An example of citizen science is A Rocha Prairie Canada's raptor migration monitoring project in Manitoba's Pembina Valley. Opportunistic counts over 20 years by interested bird-watchers at this valley, located 125 km southwest of Winnipeg, resulted in the recognition of this major Manitoba raptor migration site. These historical counts and the more recent standardized counts initiated by A Rocha, a nonprofit conservation organization, confirm the Pembina Valley as Manitoba's premiere spring raptor migration corridor. Count data are collected by A Rocha project personnel who are aided by interested bird-watchers and the general public. In 2009, the annual spring raptor count of 14 species peaked at over 10,000. Information gathered by citizen scientists and the interested public can play an increasing role in monitoring the status of various species and documenting areas in need of conservation. Raptor migration information gathered locally in Manitoba not only serves regional interests but also contributes to continental monitoring efforts which endeavor to assess species' status and population trends.
Do the germination temperature characteristics of the species at risk hairy prairie clover (Dalea villosa) differ from the more common prairie clovers (D. purpurea and candida) found in the Canadian Prairies?
Presenter: Jacqueline Bolton
Authors: Michael P. Schellenberg; Darcy Henderson; Jacqueline Bolton; Richard St-Pierre
On the Canadian Prairies, the northern portion of the Northern Great Plains, three species of Dalea can be found. Their ranges overlap but their occurrence is commonly weighted to D. purpurea followed by D. candida and D. villosa considered a species at risk (endangered). D. purpurea and candida have been found to a valuable species to include in seeding mixtures due to improving forage nutritive value late in the season when protein can be lacking, nitrogen fixation, and neutracine potential. A germination study consisting of seed lots of the three species with 4 temperatures (5, 10, 20 and 30° C). The experiment consisted of Petri dishes with 2 layers of Whatmans No. 2 ashless paper (2 papers on bottom, 1 paper on the top), four replicates and 100 seeds per species per Petri dish per temperature. All of the parameters reported here (total germinants, days to reach largest number of germinants and days to first germination) were significantly different (P<0.05) for each species. They all had the most germinants at 20° C with D. purpurea having the most. Both D. purpurea and candida had fewer germinants at 30° C while D. villosa had no decline. All species required more days to germinate at lower temperatures but D. candida and villosa required fewer days. At 30° C D. purpurea and candida required one day to reach peak number of germinants and one day to for first germinant but reached only 65% and 34% of total germinant for 20° C. D. purpurea responds most rapidly to temperature change while D. candida will germinate at lower temperatures but with fewer germinants. D. villosa demonstrates a preference for warmer temperatures. These differences explain in part the relative numbers of the species occurrence and also indicate the need for longer periods of vegetation control necessary for establishment of D. candida and villosa seedlings.
Changing Ethics: Developing “Ecological Conscience” through Faith-Based Conservation
Presenter: Nick Pharaoh
Author: Larry Danielson
Aldo Leopold, in his famous essay “The Land Ethic”, called for “a change in ethics accompanied by an internal change in intellectual emphasis, loyalties, affections, and convictions” (A Sand County Almanac). Now, some 60 years later, faith-based organizations are helping to realize Leopold’s vision of extending social conscience from people to the land. A Rocha Prairie Canada is part of a Christian conservation network helping to develop what Leopold called an “ecological conscience.” Based in 19 countries around the world, A Rocha provides environmental education and outreach to schools, youth groups, churches and communities and engages in a variety of conservation work e.g. mapping and studying ecosystems, surveying and monitoring species, managing and protecting habitats, and restoring wetlands and forests. A Rocha carries the message of land stewardship to a significant audience and taps a new pool of committed volunteers for conservation projects.
Good Management is the Key!
Presenter: Peggy Strankman
Author: Peggy Strankman
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) Environmental Stewardship award provides national recognition of a cattle operation that exemplifies the initiatives Canadian producers undertake in their role as innovative stewards of the land. This year the award went to the Campbell family, of the B & C Ranch, Inc., of Meadow Lake Saskatchewan in recognition of their significant work in protecting the environment.
The Campbells say they have never thought of themselves as ‘environmentalists’, but implemented practices that best-served the operation’s domestic and wildlife inhabitants. They feel it is encouraging that not only are ranchers changing their perception of what it means to be an environmentalist, but also that the general public is beginning to see that farmers and ranchers could be the environment’s best hope. They believe that exposure from awards like TESA serves as an important catalyst on the way to significant change.
The Campbell’s worked with Ducks Unlimited Canada to install a system of water control gates, along the Beaver River, to ensure the wetlands always contain water. On-farm, they implemented practices to maintain and enrich grazing lands; key factors in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cattle and reducing fossil fuel use.
Each nominee demonstrates significant dedication to environmental stewardship, proving that these sustainable practices improve all aspects of the environment for current and future inhabitants. As environmental stewardship role models, their willingness to share their experience typifies the commitment that Canadian farmers and ranchers make to the environment and the agricultural community. Living and working it daily, our producers are true stewards of the land.
To be eligible for national TESA, nominees must win their provincial cattle association stewardship award.
Manitoba Provincial Prairie Grass Campaign
Presenter: Marilena Kowalchuk
Authors: Marilena Kowalchuk; Cary Hamel; Julie Sveinson Pelc
In 2009, a grassroots citizen-led campaign invited all Manitobans to select the native prairie grass species that best symbolizes Manitoba as a Canadian Prairie Province. By engaging the public in a vote for an official provincial grass emblem, the campaign raised awareness of the variety and value of Manitoba’s prairie ecosystems. The candidates were Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Over 1500 votes were cast at www.manitobagrass.ca or at booths displayed at several rural and urban community events. Voting results are revealed officially at the 9th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference.
