Diane Haughland, PhD

Area of Study / Keywords

Biodiversity monitoring Lichens Ecology Experiential learning Environmental science education Taxonomy

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About

I am an ecologist, lichenologist and educator whose work connects biodiversity science, environmental monitoring, teaching and student development.

Before moving into a teaching-focused role at the University of Alberta, I spent more than a decade with the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, where I contributed to the development of large-scale biodiversity monitoring and led work on lichens and allied fungi. That experience continues to shape both my research and my teaching: I am interested in how we gather useful evidence about ecological systems, how we apply that evidence to real problems, and how people learn to do that work well.

At the University of Alberta, I teach undergraduate and graduate students across field ecology, wildlife use, lichenology, professional development and applied research.I also supervise and mentor course-based master’s capstone students and thesis-based graduate students.

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Research

I am a broadly trained ecologist with particular expertise in lichens and biodiversity monitoring. My research asks how species vary across landscapes, how we recognize and describe biodiversity, and how ecological, morphological, anatomical and symbiotic variation can help us understand species boundaries, specialization and diversification.

Much of my current research focuses on lichens, particularly species of Peltigera, and combines taxonomy, phylogenetics, morphology, anatomy, environmental data and symbiotic associations. I also remain interested in the design and interpretation of biodiversity monitoring programs and in developing ecological monitoring approaches that are useful outside academia.

My research is strongly collaborative and often grows from long-term collections, monitoring programs and partnerships with other researchers, students and communities.

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Teaching

My teaching emphasizes real-world problems, experiential learning and increasing student independence. I want students to do more than learn disciplinary content: I want them to become better at asking questions, evaluating evidence, working with others, communicating what they know and navigating unfamiliar problems.

I teach in classroom, laboratory and field settings and work with primarily upper level undergraduate and graduate students. My current teaching includes Lichenology, Wildlife Utilization, Forestry and Environmental Sciences Field Skills, Graduate Professional Skills, directed studies and graduate research projects.

I am particularly interested in helping students connect academic learning with professional practice. In graduate professional development and supervision, this includes career exploration, communication, networking, interviewing, transferable skills, professional judgement and reflective practice. I try to create a safe place for students to develop both soft and technical skills. I frequently involve researchers, practitioners, community members and other professionals in courses so that students encounter a range of perspectives and ways of working.

REN R 401 - Topics in Renewable Resources

Directed study in the multiple aspects of renewable resources. Open to third or fourth year students upon consent of instructor. Some sections require payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.

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REN R 424 - Lichenology

An introduction to the identification, biology, and ecology of lichens in Alberta, which comprise a diverse and under-studied component of Alberta's flora. An emphasis on current research questions and methods. Combined lecture and laboratory, including microscopy, chemical testing, and interpreting morphology. Term project decided upon by students, and may include original research in taxonomy, ecology or lichen biomonitoring. Students learn to identify more than 80 species from across Alberta. Normally offered in alternate years.

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REN R 474 - Utilization of Wildlife Resources

Issues, principles and science surrounding sustainable use of wildlife resources. Hunting, angling and trapping for subsistence, recreational and commercial purposes. Sociopolitical dimensions of harvest regulation, wildlife administration, and human demographic changes. Field trips. Prerequisite: minimum of 6 units of REN R or Biological Sciences courses at the 300-level or higher. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.

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REN R 501 - Topics in Renewable Resources

Directed study in the multiple aspects of renewable resources. Open to fourth year or graduate students upon consent of instructor.

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REN R 524 - Lichenology

An introduction to the identification, biology, and ecology of lichens in Alberta, which comprise a diverse and under-studied component of Alberta's flora. An emphasis on current research questions and methods. Combined lecture and laboratory, including microscopy, chemical testing, and interpreting morphology. Term project decided upon by students, and may include original research in taxonomy, ecology or lichen biomonitoring. Students learn to identify more than 80 species from across Alberta. Normally offered in alternate years. Not to be taken if credit received for REN R 424.

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REN R 602 - Graduate Professional Skills

Prepares graduate students for a professional career in forestry, conservation and environmental management. Covers Indigenous perspectives. Note: This course may be used to fulfill part of the GPS Professional Development Requirement

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REN R 701 - Forestry and Environmental Sciences Field Skills

Combines the concepts and practices of environmental, conservation and forest sciences in an off-campus field experience. Proficiency in sampling, identification, and measurement of biophysical components of terrestrial and aquatic environments is emphasized. Students in the Master of Forestry program should complete this course in their first term. Not to be taken if credit received for REN R 290.

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REN R 770 - Utilization of Wildlife Resources

Issues, principles and science surrounding sustainable use of wildlife resources. Hunting, angling and trapping for subsistence, recreational and commercial purposes. Sociopolitical dimensions of harvest regulation, wildlife administration, and human demographic changes. Field trips. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar. Not to be taken if credit received for REN R 474.

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REN R 906 - Research Project

The final research project that comprises REN R 906 is a final capping exercise for the degrees of MAg and MF. Its practical and professional focus should integrate the core areas of study in the program. The successful completion of the project entails (1) a research topic approved by the supervisor; (2) the presentation of a draft research proposal; and (3) the presentation of the research as a written document to the supervisor. The project may take the form of any of the following: (1) a formal analysis of management practice, organizational processes or policy; (2) a formative or summative evaluation of a research project or program; (3) a case study, using secondary documents, survey data, or interviews; or (4) replication of a previous study, with either the introduction of a new variable or an analysis in a changed context.

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REN R 906A - Research Project

The final research project that comprises REN R 906 is a final capping exercise for the degrees of MAg and MF. Its practical and professional focus should integrate the core areas of study in the program. The successful completion of the project entails (1) a research topic approved by the supervisor; (2) the presentation of a draft research proposal; and (3) the presentation of the research as a written document to the supervisor. The project may take the form of any of the following: (1) a formal analysis of management practice, organizational processes or policy; (2) a formative or summative evaluation of a research project or program; (3) a case study, using secondary documents, survey data, or interviews; or (4) replication of a previous study, with either the introduction of a new variable or an analysis in a changed context.

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REN R 906B - Research Project

The final research project that comprises REN R 906 is a final capping exercise for the degrees of MAg and MF. Its practical and professional focus should integrate the core areas of study in the program. The successful completion of the project entails (1) a research topic approved by the supervisor; (2) the presentation of a draft research proposal; and (3) the presentation of the research as a written document to the supervisor. The project may take the form of any of the following: (1) a formal analysis of management practice, organizational processes or policy; (2) a formative or summative evaluation of a research project or program; (3) a case study, using secondary documents, survey data, or interviews; or (4) replication of a previous study, with either the introduction of a new variable or an analysis in a changed context.

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Browse more courses taught by Diane Haughland

Iyesha M Wanigasinghe, Diane L Haughland, Lysandra A Pyle, Mary A L Villeneuve, Scott E Nielsen

AoB PLANTS. 2026 May; 10.1093/aobpla/plag020

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BRYOLOGIST. 2025 January; 10.1639/0007-2745-128.4.607

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ISME JOURNAL. 2025 January; 10.1093/ISMEJO/WRAF166

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MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION. 2025 January; 10.1093/MOLBEV/MSAF244

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RESTORATION ECOLOGY. 2023 January; 10.1111/REC.13793

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The Lichenologist. 2018 March; 10.1017/s0024282918000099

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