Saturday, April 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Wildlife Corridors Essential In An Age Of Climate Change, Conservationist Says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 May, 2019 02:15 AM

    MONTREAL — For several years, conservationists have been stressing that ecological corridors, which allow wildlife to move between natural areas, are essential to preventing habitat fragmentation and ensuring the survival of animals such as lynx and bears.


    But the need for corridors is becoming more urgent, given a UN report that concludes a million species are threatened with extinction, and the fact that many Canadian provinces could become 'climate refuges' for animals heading north to escape rising temperatures, according to Kateri Monticone of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.


    Last week, the conservation group, along with five others, met with some 40 partners in order to discuss how to maintain corridors in southern Quebec that are essential to the survival of species like lynx, which need about 70 square kilometres each in other to survive.


    Monticone said the effort will also require more passages between Canada and the United States as animals will have to move to new areas in response to environmental changes.


    "It's more and more needed if we're thinking about climate change," said Monticone, the conservation science manager for the Nature Conservancy of Canada in Quebec.


    "Quebec, for example, will be a climate change refuge because animals are going north, about 45 kilometres per decade, so they need ecological corridors to be able to move north and be sure they survive."


    She said the absence of passages from one natural area to the next can lead to species being isolated, unable to maintain their biodiversity or move to a new area if their habitat changes.


    And while space is essential to predators like lynx and wolves, she said it's equally important to smaller species such as turtles, and many species of plants.


    She said securing a natural corridor can mean making agreements with landowners as well as negotiating with urban and regional planners to ensure they integrate natural areas into development plans.


    But it also means ensuring animals have a way to cross existing highways.


    She said organizations such as Montreal's Concordia University and the Quebec's transport ministry have been studying the effectiveness of measures such as underpasses to allow animals to cross safely and reduce roadkill — which also benefits humans by reducing the number of animal-vehicle collisions.


    Monticone said there has already been work done recently to strengthen the natural passages to allow passages between eastern Quebec, the Maritimes, and the states of Maine and Vermont. But she said the work is slow going, requiring negotiations with municipal and regional governments as well as hundreds of individual landowners.


    "Every time we collaborate with an owner, we're talking about little puzzle pieces that are being added to connectivity, and we need several puzzle pieces to really create the ecological corridors we need," she said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Father Convicted After Leaving Son At Home With Pit Bull That Mauled Him

    Father Convicted After Leaving Son At Home With Pit Bull That Mauled Him
    MONTREAL — A Quebec father could face jail time after leaving his toddler son at home with a pit bull known to be aggressive and without proper supervision.    

    Father Convicted After Leaving Son At Home With Pit Bull That Mauled Him

    Waters To Rise Again In Ottawa Area, Even As N.B. Turns To Flood Recovery Mode

    Waters To Rise Again In Ottawa Area, Even As N.B. Turns To Flood Recovery Mode
    Water levels are expected to rise again this weekend between Ottawa and Montreal, even as New Brunswick's floods are effectively over.    

    Waters To Rise Again In Ottawa Area, Even As N.B. Turns To Flood Recovery Mode

    Trump U.S. Senate Ally Says Kovrig, Spavor Face 'Harsh' Treatment In China

    OTTAWA — China is detaining two Canadians in harsh conditions and U.S. lawmakers won't rest until they are freed, says a powerful Republican senator.

    Trump U.S. Senate Ally Says Kovrig, Spavor Face 'Harsh' Treatment In China

    Feds Look To Ease Requirements For Fighter-Jet Makers After U.S. Complaints

    Feds Look To Ease Requirements For Fighter-Jet Makers After U.S. Complaints
    OTTAWA — The federal government is planning to loosen its industrial requirements for fighter-jet makers in the $19-billion competition to replace Canada's aging CF-18s.    

    Feds Look To Ease Requirements For Fighter-Jet Makers After U.S. Complaints

    Jailed Migrants Have Right To Challenge Detention Before Judges: Supreme Court

    OTTAWA — A Pakistani man was deprived of his right to challenge his detention in person before a judge, the Supreme Court said Friday, opening wider appeal options for migrants facing lengthy incarceration.    

    Jailed Migrants Have Right To Challenge Detention Before Judges: Supreme Court

    Otter's Long Departure Means Koi Can Return To Vancouver Chinese Garden

    VANCOUVER — Koi are safe to swim again in the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver that was once a hunting ground for an elusive otter.

    Otter's Long Departure Means Koi Can Return To Vancouver Chinese Garden