I conduct research on the ecology, conservation and management of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the Great Lakes basin. A primary goal is to develop simple ecological indicators to track impacts of human activities on the long-term health of target ecosystems; these have involved citizen scientists, especially high school students and indigenous youth. Our projects involve extensive sampling in streams, lakes, vernal pools, boreal forests, and coastal marshes throughout Ontario, collecting information on planktonic and benthic algae, zooplankton, macro-invertebrates, aquatic macrophytes, wetland fish and birds, amphibians, and/or turtles. We also use satellite information to assess land-use alterations and shoreline development on wetland connectivity and quality, and to map habitat loss from colonization of invasive Phragmites australis. Working continuously in Georgian Bay (GB) since 2003, we have created one of the largest and most comprehensive databases on coastal wetlands of eastern and northern GB. We have modelled the effect of water level on marsh zonation in GB, and how human activities (particularly associated with agricultural and urban/recreational development) can affect nutrient status in embayments, wetlands and streams. My students also use remote sensing, geographic information systems, and radio-telemetry to determine how at-risk freshwater turtles use their habitats, information that is used to find the best options to protect and conserve connecting corridors and critical habitat. Recently, we have begun to examine how recovery of boreal forests from wildfire outbreaks are affected by proximity to water bodies and human features and activities.

Ecology & Evolution