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Projects
Current
Completed
Current
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Individual-based
models linking behaviour and impacts of development on grizzly
bear (Ursus arctos) populations in Alberta
Claudia
L. is studying the behaviour
and population ecology of grizzly bears in Alberta using
individual (agent)-based modeling with the intent of guiding
population recovery actions. Estimating recovery targets,
however, will necessitate information about spatial and
temporal patterns food resources, animal health (size/body
condition, age of first reproduction, etc.) and carrying
capacity. Claudia will be developing spatially-explicit
models to integrate foraging and movement behaviours, animal
body condition and demography. Such models will facilitate
scenario modeling of population size, range recovery potential,
and evaluation of possible impacts of industrial resource
development (forest harvesting, oil & gas exploration,
coal mining, etc.). This research is part of the Foothills
Research Institute's Grizzly Bear Project.
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Understanding
social acceptability of grizzly bear
(Ursus arctos) conservation
in Alberta: Implications for sustainable conservation of
a threatened species
Courtney
is applying sociological and qualitative
inquiry to grizzly bear conservation. Using a mixed method
approach, Courtney will identify the knowledge and values
residents of NW and SW Albertan communities have related
to grizzly bears, human land use, and conservation management
in order to determine barriers and opportunities to conservation
success. . This
research is part of the Foothills
Research Institute's Grizzly Bear Project.
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Detecting
trends in population and occupancy using multiple DNA sources
for recovery of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) in Alberta
Sarah
is exploring
the applicability of using standard hair-snag DNA sampling
with supplemental information collected from other sources
of DNA, including scat and rub trees, as most effective
techniques to monitor grizzly bear population trends. The
DNA will also be used to assess the effectiveness of management
policies surrounding road development thresholds that are
being considered by the Alberta government. This research
is part of the Foothills
Research Institute's Grizzly Bear Project and supported
by the Alberta
Conservation Association.
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Grizzly
bears (Ursus arctos) as ecosystem engineers through
biopedturbation
Scott
Nielsen and Karen Graham (FRI)
are quantifying the extent and intensity of biopedturbation
behaviours by grizzly bears in alpine environments of the
southern Canadian Rockies and assessing how these actions
may regulate local ecosystem processes, community structure
and species composition/diversity. Understanding these interactions
will help us understand the role of grizzly bears in these
communities and the consequences of their loss.
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Distribution
of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and their food resources
within fire disturbed and forest thinned areas in Banff,
Yoho and Kootenay National Parks
Charlie
is researching how prescribed fire and other forest management
applications
enhance wildlife habitat for
grizzly bears in national parks.
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Habitat
and conservation ecology of greater short-horned lizards
(Phrynosoma
hernandesi) in
Grasslands National Park
Krista
is studying the habitat and ecology of the greater short-horned
lizard in Grasslands National Park. This species was recently
added to Schedule 1 of the SAR Act and is listed as endangered.
More information about habitat selection, seasonal movements,
and behavior is required to better understand the critical
habitat necessary for the protection of this rare, cryptic
lizard. The main objective of this project is to develop
a spatial habitat model that could be used to identify areas
potentially utilized by the greater short-horned lizard.
Co-supervised by Dr.
Shelley Pruss.
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Status
of primate populations in the Northeastern Colombian Orinoco
Basin, South America
Claudia
C. is studying
the status of primate populations in natural reserves with
different conservation levels in the Northeastern Colombian
Orinoco basin. This region is characterized by a high rate
of habitat transformation and little is known about plant
and animal communities. She expects to confirm the presence
of three primate species and generate novel information
about night monkey population densities, knowledge that
is essential for clarifying its geographic distribution.
This species is probably endemic to Colombia and considered
vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature IUCN. Additionally, results from her study will provide
critical knowledge about the adaptability of primate species
to habitat disturbances in the region and their responses
to habitat recovery due to activities of reforestation that
have been implemented in the region. Claudia's study will
be part of the research activities outlined in a memorandum
of understanding signed between the University of Alberta
and La Pedregoza Natural Reserve in Colombia (www.pedregoza.org).
The initiative seeks to strengthen the research capacity
of graduate students in both Canada and Colombia.
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Trophic
cascades in the Aspen Parkland: Effects of ungulate density
on shrub-dependent bird and butterfly species
Kristine
is studying the cascading effects of high ungulate density
on bird and butterfly species dependent on shrubs for nesting
and foraging, respectively. The aim of this study is evaluate
how changes in ungulate density affect vegetation composition
and structure and the abundances of selected bird and butterfly
species. The reduction or loss of top predators can destabilize
trophic dynamics and negatively affect ecosystem stability.
Research on trophic dynamics in human-modified systems support
ecosystem management and, where necessary, identify the
need for restoration actions. Co-supervised
by Dr. Jens Roland.
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Interactions
between river otters (Lutra canadensis) and trout
(Salvelinus spp.) in west-central Alberta
Carrie
is studying the studying interactions
between otters and trout. Co-supervised
by Dr. Mark Poesch.
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Restoration
and conservation prioritization of linear exploratory corridors
(seismic lines) in the northern boreal forests of Alberta
Cassidy
is investigating factors at the
site, stand and landscape scales that enhance forest regeneration
after a linear disturbance. Forest clearing for the placement
of linear oil and gas exploratory corridors (seismic lines)
is becoming increasingly common throughout the northern
boreal forests of Alberta. While some of these linear corridors
are regenerating, the majority remain in a stable state
of arrested forest succession. She will determine which
factors (i.e. history (age), terrain features, ecosite,
canopy cover) are most important to recovering linear corridors
to their historical successional trajectory and develop
statistical and spatial models to both predict recovery
and prescribe silvicultural treatments following disturbance.
The outcome will be a suite of user-friendly GIS tools to
assist land and wildlife management and industry. In addition,
Cassidy will spatially prioritize conservation both locally
and across the landscape in order to rebuild the natural
structure and function of Alberta's boreal forest. Co-supervised
by Dr. Vic Lieffers.
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Pine
barrens ecosystem, biodiversity, etc.
Current research
is being conducted by James on 'Community ecology of ants.'
Past lab member Kelsey did research on 'Population ecology
of northern plains blazing star (Liatris ligulistylis).'
More details on the broader ecological research program
coming soon...
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More details on Biodiversity
research coming soon....
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More details on Conservation-based
agriculture research coming soon...
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Completed
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Community
ecology of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on semi-forested
sand hills of Alberta
James
is studying the ant community of semi-stabilized and stabilized
dunes near Edmonton, which represent open pine forest communities
(jack pine barrens and woodlands) that are rare in the region
relative to the more common aspen parkland and boreal forests.
As with any pine-dominated ecosystem, particularly under
these highly xeric conditions, fire is an important agent
of renewal and long-term sustainability of fire-adapted
species. As luck would have it, a large fire burned one
study site in early May of 2009 facilitating the examination
of post-fire ant community dynamics. Co-supervised
by John Acorn.
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Nutritional
ecology of grizzly bears
(Ursus arctos) in
west-central Alberta
Sean
is studying the nutritional ecology
of grizzly bears in the Hinton area with a focus on understanding
and predicting the spatial and temporal patterns in total
available energy, the importance of a mixed carbohydrate
and protein diet, and finally how these patterns shape differences
in body mass/condition among bears. This
research is part of the Foothills
Research Institute's Grizzly Bear Project.
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Life
history, environment and species interactions: What drives
the conservation status of North American scavengers?
Kim
is examining how life history,
ecology, behaviour and anthropogenic activities interact
to affect the conservation status of North American scavengers.
Ultimately the goal is to explain why some species are threatened,
but others are not, why conservation status for a species
can differ from region to region, and how cooperative behaviours
among species needs to be considered.
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"...this alphabet
of "natural objects" (soils and rivers, birds
and beasts) spells out a story, which he who runs may
read - if he knows how. Once you learn to read the land,
I have no fear of what you will do to it, or with it.
And I know many pleasant things it will do to you."
- Aldo Leopold, 1947 (Wherefore Wildlife Ecology?)
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