Identifying Exposure Risk of Aerial Insectivores under threat of Agricultural Intensification and Pesticides

Farmland covers 6.8% of the surface area of Canada and hosts 313 species of birds, or 69% of all breeding bird species, and Canadian farmland overlaps with the range of 90% of our species at risk. Aerial insectivores including birds and bats are common in these areas and are declining at an alarming rate. Simplification of the landscapes coupled with widespread use of pesticides threaten Canada’s wildlife in our farmlands. This project will explore risks to birds and bats in the prairie agricultural regions and assess how agricultural threats may impact the quality of insects that are important food sources.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christy Morrissey;Jeffrey Lane

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Wildlife Federation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: