Environmental assessment of risks and hazards to wildlife habitat in Newfoundland

The boreal forest, which provides critical habitat for diverse species and a suite of ecosystem services for communities within it, is experiencing the widespread effects of global change. On the island of Newfoundland, boreal forests are home to at-risk species such as woodland caribou and Newfoundland marten, and are under cumulative pressures of industrial and recreational human land use and climate change. Despite the critical habitat it provides, less than 7% of Newfoundland is currently protected, falling well short of Canada’s goal of 25% of lands protected by 2025. More of Newfoundland needs protection, but what areas should be protected? The Upper Humber Region of western Newfoundland is a potential hotspot for conservation, containing a diversity of habitats for at-risk species, but we need a deeper understanding of the region. We aim to assess the biodiversity of, and impacts on, the Upper Humber to better understand its potential for conservation.

Faculty Supervisor:

Carissa Brown

Student:

Partner:

Nature Conservancy of Canada

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: