Salamander Crossing: Studying the Road Ecology of the Jefferson Salamander
Masters Student Justine Kaseman is studying the effects of roads on the Jefferson salamander in urban environments. In this study, Justine is colleting information about where on the road the salamanders migrate over, looking for mortality hotspots. To do this, she conducts nocturnal road surveys and implements both pit fall and minnow traps to help track the salamanders' migration and look for potential breeding sites. Data from this study will go to help the salamanders directly, by informing the local traffic authority where to best to create wildlife corridors. Wildlife corridors are tunnels under the road where salamanders and other animals can safely cross, protecting them from being hit on roads. Along with habitat loss, road mortality is one of the major threats effecting the Jefferson Salamander in Southern Ontario.
This study is done through the University of Guelph, Norris Lab, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Natural Resource Solutions Inc and The Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks