A researcher is investigating the impact of an invasive insect and the chemicals used to combat it on the wildlife inhabiting ancient hemlock forests in southwestern Nova Scotia. The destructive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) has been causing significant damage to the forests in the region for close to a decade. Various entities, including Parks Canada, local organizations, and landowners, have been employing insecticides like imidacloprid and dinotefuran to control the spread of the HWA.
Mathilde Christjansen, a master’s student at Mount Allison University, highlighted the lack of knowledge concerning the effects of woolly adelgid and the insecticides on other species. The research is focusing on the eastern red-backed salamander as a bioindicator species to provide insights into the broader ecosystem health. By analyzing the salamander populations and behaviors in treated and untreated forests, researchers aim to understand potential impacts on the ecosystem.
The study involves placing coverboards in forests to create habitat for salamanders, which are then monitored and studied. Behavioral tests, such as observing their reactions to predation simulations, are conducted to assess their well-being. The project, conducted in collaboration with several institutions, also examines the consequences of dying hemlocks on salamanders due to changes in forest conditions.
Chris Edge, a scientist with the Canadian Forest Service, emphasized the importance of maintaining the unique habitats provided by hemlock forests for salamanders. The study aims to shed light on the interplay between HWA infestations, insecticide use, and the health of both the hemlock forests and their resident salamanders.
