Impacts of wildfire and windfarm construction on the herpetological community of eastern Georgian Bay.

Understanding the degree to which habitat disturbance affects fragile and biodiverse herpetological communities is critical to mitigating damage from future anthropogenic and natural environmental disturbances. This is especially true if the disturbances are an ever-growing green energy source in the energy sector, wind energy, and an increasing natural disturbance, wildfire. Few studies have examined how such combined disturbances impact herpetological communities. Our study aims to quantify the abundance, diversity and health of anuran, snake, and turtle individuals and populations in the areas affected by the construction of a windfarm and wildfire. This research involves various herpetofauna survey techniques and diversity and health analysis techniques to capture the effects on species at risk as well as more common species. Our findings will inform implementation of mitigation strategies for future largescale windfarm development projects, especially in areas prone to wildfires.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jacqueline Litzgus

Student:

Partner:

Blazing Star Environmental

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Laurentian University

Program: