The Land Between

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Do freshwater turtles gather together for the winter in Ontario? And the role of wetlands in stabilizing populations.

Hibernation is commonly observed in many species of animals, especially those inhabiting Northern regions where there are significant drops in temperature during the winter months. In Ontario, freshwater turtles are ectotherms (their internal temperatures mimic the external temperatures) which make them “unequipped” to directly face the ruthlessness of winter conditions. For this reason, they stow …

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Ecopassages – the reason why the turtle didn’t cross the road!

As humans continue to build infrastructure through natural landscapes and wetlands, negative impacts on biodiversity increase. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth seen in the many different plants and animals. With development, habitat removal and fragmentation, and other huge environmental changes we are experiencing a rapid drop in species numbers and population …

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Where Are All the Birds?

Birds are extremely fascinating creatures with their colourful feathers and sing-song calls. Yet, whenever I watch them gracefully gliding through the air it is almost impossible to fathom that they used to be theropod dinosaurs (the same family as the Tyrannosaurus Rex) trampling through huge forests. Now, when walking through forests and fields we no …

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The Great Monarch Butterfly Migration

With its brilliant bright orange, black, and white markings, the monarch butterfly is a beautiful insect and arguably one of the most recognizable butterfly species to inhabit North America. Their life cycle begins when an egg is laid on a milkweed plant. After 3-5 days, the egg hatches, and a baby caterpillar emerges and begins …

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What’s an “Ecotone”?

The striking physical features of the Canadian Shield ecosystem, known for bare outcrops of granite rock, of small lakes and thin layer of soil contrast with the St. Lawrence Lowlands ecosystem known for flatter lands, dominated by agriculture and limestone bedrock.[1] These landscapes are well known throughout south-central Ontario, however as ecosystems overlap and transition …

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Spongy Moths (LDD/Gypsy Moths) – How can we manage the invasion?

Invasive species are exotic organisms which enter a locality and then dominate/out-compete native species. Many of these invaders have been established for several decades, with the majority of us unable to even recognize them because we are accustomed to their presence. One of these species is the gypsy moth which was introduced into the United …

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