September Meeting Presentation

By Nature Moncton

Stressful Cityscapes or Pockets of Paradise? How Forest Retention May Buffer the Impact of Urbanization on Salamanders

Urbanization is one of the greatest challenges facing our world’s wildlife. As New Brunswick’s urban centers continue to grow, it is important we understand how our growth impacts the wildlife we share our backyards with. MSc graduate Joshua Christiansen investigated the influence of urbanization on the behavioural and thermal ecology of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In this talk, Joshua will discuss his findings on the influence, or lack thereof, of urbanization on this species’ behaviour and thermoregulation and what this means for amphibian conservation in our urban centers.

Joshua Christiansen is a Research Associate in the RBG Labs at Mount Allison University. He holds a BSc in Biology from the University of Regina and an MSc degree in Biology from Mount Allison University. Joshua studied bats in his undergrad years but made the big switch to herpetofauna for his master’s where he studied the behaviour and thermal ecology of Eastern Red-backed Salamanders in urban and non-urban forests. He is now working on a field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Atlantic Canada.

Don’t miss the chance to learn more about these mysterious inhabitants of our urban yards. All are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not.