PhD, Environmental Biology and Ecology, University of Alberta; MSc, Natural Resources Management, University of Northern B.C.; Dip. Tech., Fish, Widlife and Recreation, British Columbia Institute of Technology; BA, Linguistics, University of Victoria
Research
Freshwater Ecology, Wildlife Ecology and Management
My current research focuses on wetland ecology as it relates to wildlife habitat and management. Semi-aquatic mammals are of specific interest. Along with investigations into water quality and quantity, I study how the presence of beavers affects pond morphometry, aquatic connectivity, and biodiversity. Other research interests include how human-wildlife interactions affect access to critical habitats by wildlife and how those impacts can be mitigated using adaptive management approaches. My research approach is largely empirical, based on field studies, which are then analyzed using statistics and GIS. Much of my work has been conducted in protected areas and adjacent private and public lands.
My main teaching interests include: freshwater ecology and management, wildlife ecology and management, environmental impact assessment, geographic information systems, and statistics for the natural sciences. Linking theory and practice is an important part of my approach to teaching, which often has my students finding themselves applying classroom material to field-based activities.
Analysis of the spatial patterns of biotic systems and species. The course examines their past and present distribution patterns in the context of biological and ecological processes and human impacts. The course employs several methods of analysis, including geographic information systems. Prerequisite: AUBIO 253. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUBIO 351, AUENV 351, and AUGEO 351 (2021). Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Fall Term 2022Integration of both physical and human phenomena in understanding natural resources, their dimensions and boundaries. Basic concepts in resource analysis and management: the decision-making process, management frameworks and strategies, legislation and regulation, impact assessment, the role of perceptions, attitudes and behaviour, and the impact of public participation/interest groups in the development of natural resources. Prerequisite: One of AUBIO 253, AUENV 120, AUGEO 120 (2021), 230, 231, consent of the instructor. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUENV 324 and AUGEO 324 (2021). Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Fall Term 2022Analysis of the spatial patterns of biotic systems and species. The course examines their past and present distribution patterns in the context of biological and ecological processes and human impacts. The course employs several methods of analysis, including geographic information systems. Prerequisite: AUBIO 253. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUGEO 351 (2021), AUENV 351 and AUBIO 351. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Fall Term 2022History and theory of environmental impact assessment; legislative and policy frameworks; role in resource planning; methods and techniques for the assessment of impacts; future directions. Prerequisites: One of AUENV 324, AUGEO 324 (2021), and AUBIO 253. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUENV 425, AUGEO 425 (2021). Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
Fall Term 2022This 3-week, residential field course develops advanced skills for field studies in environmental science and ecology. Through independent research projects, students will design and execute a field-based project, analyze and interpret the data, and present the results in a written and oral format. Students will also gain experience with common field techniques and more advanced statistical analyses. Prerequisites: AUSTA 215 and AUBIO 253; one of AUBIO 315, AUENV 324, AUENV/AUBIO 334, AUBIO 459 or AUENV 459; and consent of the instructor.
Winter Term 2023Experimental design, data presentation and analysis; descriptive statistics, probability distributions and statistical hypothesis testing; parametric and nonparametric tests, correlation and regression; use of statistical software. Prerequisites: Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2; one of AUBIO 111, AUCHE 110, AUCSC 111 (2021), 113, AUENV 120, AUGEO 120, AUMAT 110, 116, 120, AUPHY 102 (2021), 104 (2021), 110 (2021), 120. Notes: The course does not count toward the major in Mathematics and Physics or the minor in Mathematics. Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSTA 153, 213, 215, AUPSY 213 (2020).
Winter Term 20232020 to 2025
This research examines how the interplay between environmental variables (e.g. soils, vegetation, hydrology, climate) and beaver ecology (e.g. population dynamics, habitat alterations) affects persistence of beaver dams and tipping points where dams fail. While beaver activities increase biodiversity and productivity, dams do break, leading to catastrophic flooding. In response, we are quantifying key variables in beaver-modified landscapes to predict persistence of dams in associated aquatic systems. In addition, spatial and temporal variables will be identified that can inform risk management for beaver release. Moreover, we are assessing the influence of active maintenance of dams, population dynamics, and related environmental variables on the probability of dam persistence. These data will aid development of flood-risk models for agricultural lands adjacent to wildland areas and how they are potentially affected by failure of beaver dams. Research outputs will aid resource managers in balancing biodiversity and flood risk. This research is funded by a NSERC Discovery Grant.
This research investigates which factors influence the distribution and habitat selection of semi-aquatic mammals (i.e., beaver, muskrat, river otter, and mink) within a mixed-use landscape of the Beaver Hills Biosphere in Alberta’s southern mixed-wood boreal forest. Through the use of camera traps, eDNA sampling, and sign surveys we are measuring the diversity and distribution of semi-aquatic mammals in the Biosphere, and analyzing the relationship between species occurrence and habitat composition, including aquatic connectivity (e.g., the influence of beaver channels). This research is funded by an Alberta Conservation Association research grant (https://www.ab-conservation.com/), and Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve Association funding.
Past research regarding the influence of beavers on aquatic connectivity and biodiversity is published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology (2020) 98:210–218; Freshwater Biology (2015) 60:198–208; Animal Conservation (2015) 18(3):287–294; Wetlands (2014) 34:19–29; and Herpetological Review (2014) 45(1):18–20.