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Speaker's Series
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•  Thursday, March 25, 2010 -
Amphibian Ecology and Diseases in the North West Territories

•  Thursday, April 29, 2010 - The Importance of Riparian Areas

Speaker's Series - Spring 2010

 
Each month from January to November, the Friends of Fish Creek host guest speakers on a variety of topics relevant to the Park and the Calgary community. Presentations will take place at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, 13931 Woodpath Rd. SW, Shannon Terrace Area, West end of Fish Creek Provincial Park. (Access via 37th St. SW at 130th Ave. SW) From 7:00 pm (sharp) to 8:00 pm (Doors open at 6:45 pm, so please come early). These events are free for Friends’ members and $5.00 for non-members.

Because of the interest in the Speaker's Series program, patrons will now be asked to register for each presentation by contacting the Friends at 403-238-3841 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Include your name, how many in your group, and which performance you will attend.
 
 
Thursday, March 25

Amphibian Ecology and Diseases in the North West Territories

Danna Schock, PhD Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary
 

Amphibians are integral components of food chains, linking aquatic and terrestrialecosystems. They are also important indicators of ecological health and change since they require healthy ecosystems that include breeding areas (often ponds), foraging areas, and places for over-wintering. Unfortunately, amphibians are experiencing catastrophic declines in many places as a result of habitat loss/degradation, commercial overharvest, and infectious diseases. Two pathogens implicated in amphibian declines – ranaviruses and chytrid fungus – are being studied in the Northwest Territories. The Canadian North is not necessarily the first place people think of when it comes to studying amphibians. However, the low levels of biodiversity, and rapid rates of climate change and industrial development in the North create opportunities to use northern amphibian populations as a model to better understand disease dynamics.

This presentation will introduce the audience to the ecology of these remarkable creatures, draw attention to the causes and consequences of global amphibian declines, and highlight recent findings from the ongoing research in the North.
 


Last Updated ( Tuesday, 16 March 2010 )
 
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