René Belland, BSc, MSc, PhD

About

Job/Research Area: 

 Bryophyte (mosses and liverworts) ecology, distribution, conservation

---

Research

Major Responsibilities/Research Interests:

My primary research interest is the study of the large scale patterns of distribution and diversity of mosses and liverworts in relation to environmental and historical factors. I am also involved rare and endangered moss conservation and assessment. I am curator of the Department of Renewable Resources Bryophyte Herbarium.

---

Teaching

Awards:

• U of A Award for Outstanding Mentorship in Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (2024)
• William Hardy Alexander Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2018, University of Alberta)
• Magister Teaching Award (2017, Canadian Botanical Association)
• ALES Faculty Teaching Award (2016)
• ECSA Teacher of the Year (2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024)
• ALES Teacher of the Year award, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)

ENCS 299 - Special Topics in Field Skills and Their Application in the Environmental and Conservation Sciences

Focuses on specialized field skills, their application, and integration in different sub-disciplines of the environmental and conservation sciences. The course involves off-campus field experiences. A student is required to select a topic related to their major, but may take additional sections as part of their electives. Pre- or corequisite: REN R 290.

---

REN R 327 - The Mosses of Alberta: Conservation and Identification

This is an introduction to identification and conservation of the mosses of Alberta, with a strong emphasis on field identification. Students are introduced to the morphological characters used to identify Alberta mosses, with supplementary information about individual species' habitat affinities and distribution within Alberta. Lecture topics include basic morphology, conservation and management of species diversity, and rare/endangered species found within Alberta. Students learn to identify more than 110 species from the province's six major natural regions. Prerequisite: *30. PLSC 221 or BIOL 208 or equivalent are recommended.

---

REN R 402B - Directed Research in Renewable Resources

Directed research, with the intent of preparing the student for graduate studies. Generally undertaken in the fourth year of study, over the course of the fall and winter terms and results in an undergraduate thesis. Students wishing to enrol must obtain permission from an instructor, as well as the Associate Chair, Undergraduate, Department of Renewable Resources. Prerequisite: *60 and consent of instructor.

---

REN R 767 - The Mosses of Alberta: Conservation and Identification

This is an introduction to identification and conservation of the mosses of Alberta, with a strong emphasis on field identification. Students are introduced to the morphological characters used to identify Alberta mosses, with supplementary information about individual species habitat affinities and distribution within Alberta. Lecture topics include basic morphology, conservation and management of species diversity, and rare/ endangered species found within Alberta. Students learn to identify more than 110 species from the province's six major natural regions. Not to be taken if credit received for REN R 327.

---

Browse more courses taught by René Belland

Belland, R.J., & R.T. Caners.

Botany. 2021 June; 99 (11) 10.1139/cjb-2021-0018

---

James, R, & R.J. Belland

Evansia. 2021 May; 37 10.1639/0747-9859-37.3.83

---

Belland, R.J.

Evansia. 2015 January; 32

---

Belland, R.J.

Evansia. 2015 January; 32

---

Shotyk, W., Belland, R., and 9 others

Environmental Science and Technology. 2015 January; 49

---

Caners, R.T., S.E. Macdonald, and R.J. Belland

Forest Ecology and Management. 2013 January; 289

---

Caners, R.T., S.E. Macdonald, and R.J. Belland

Forest Ecology and Management. 2013 January; 303

---

Belland, R. J.

Davidsonia. 2011 January; 21 (1):3-23

---

Caners, R.T, S.E. Macdonald, and R.J. Belland

88. 2010 January;

---

Caners, R; Macdonald, SE; Belland, R

Plant Ecology. 2009 January; 204

---

Cassie, D.M., M.D. Piercey-Normore, R.J. Belland

Bryologist. 2008 January; 111:

---

Belland, R.J.

Assessment of Species Diversity in the Atlantic Maritime Ecozone. 2008 January;

---

Webster, D., P. Taschereau, R.J. Belland, C. Sand, and R.P. Rennie

Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2008 January; 115

---

Belland, R.J.

Canadian Journal of Botany. 2005 January; 83

---

Newmaster, S.G., R.J. Belland, A. Arsenault, D.H. Vitt, and T.A. Stephens

Diversity and Distributions. 2005 January; 11

---

Newmaster, S.G., R.J. Belland, A. Arsenault and D.H. Vitt

Environmental Reviews. 2003 January; 11

---

Cao, T, X. Fu, C. Gao, Y-H. Wu, R.J. Belland & D.H. Vitt

Acta Phytptaxonomica Sinica. 1999 January; 37 (40-406)

---

Vitt, D.H. & R.J. Belland

Bryologist. 1997 January; 100

---

Belland, R.J. & D.H. Vitt

Ecoscience. 1995 January; 2