catastrophic to local populations. The disappearance of the species from the Acadia National Park in Maine is believed to be the result of heavy metal contamination. Freshwater stream acidification also poses a significant threat with 40% of streams in the southern Appalachians showing signs of acidification. Changes to stream flow or the groundwater supply, can have significant impacts on local salamander genetics and populations vis-à-vis loss of suitable aquatic or terrestrial habitat, bank instability from excessive runoff, or simply changes to the moisture in the terrestrial habitat. Such changes can be naturally occurring or artificially induced (e.g. discharged water volumes). The activities of forestry can be similarly devastating. Timber harvesting, wind farms and watershed urbanization reduce water supply, water quality and microhabitat availability. Aquatic habitat can be degraded through siltation of streams, or the microhabitat conditions of the forest floor undergoing alterations. Siltation is of particular consequence to the northern dusky salamander because the interstitial spaces that they use for foraging, nesting and overwintering are lost. Urbanization has resulted in the disappearance of the species in Mount Saint-Hellaire National Park in Quebec, as well as other areas. Vulnerability to extirpation is further heightened when the species relies on a single watershed. Such is the case of the Ontario population of the northern dusky salamander. The species is also threatened through the introduction of predatory fish, such as Brook Trout. Conservation status The northern dusky salamander is listed as endangered in Ontario and is declining in many parts of the United States yet some populations remain stable. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists its global status as Least Concern. In the province of Ontario, where the status of the Carolinian population of the northern dusky salamander is listed as Endangered, the northern dusky salamander is protected under the Ontario Endangered Species Act of 2007 and by the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. These acts protect its habitat and make it illegal to possess, harm or kill the species. In Ontario, a dusky salamander recovery team entitled the "Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander and Northern Dusky Salamander Recovery Strategy" has also been established to develop a recovery plan for both species. The Quebec / New Brunswick population of the northern dusky salamander is considered not at risk. Nonetheless, it is currently on a list of species likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable by the Quebec provincial government