In the SEL Lab, we use field observations and draw on place-based knowledges to understand the impact of climate change on arctic and mountain ecosystems. In practice, this means that projects are done in partnership with local communities to support stewardship initiatives and cultural practices.
Impact of climate change and recreational activities on mountain systems
Dr. Boulanger-Lapointe is the lead PI of Alpine Horizons, an interdisciplinary research initiative focuses on identifying vulnerable ecosystems and co-developing integrative assessment tools to inform management decisions in the southwest Coast Mountains with partners from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation and BC Parks as well as co-PIs from SFU and UBC. Alpine Horizons is funded by a 5 year NSERC Alliance Society grant.
In collaboration with partners, we are also supporting the continued monitoring of the GLORIA sites on Mount Arrowsmith and Blackcomb Mountain as well as the ITEX permanent experimental sites in Garibaldi Park.
Impact of climate change on berries in the North
Our lab conduct research on berries throughout the Canadian Arctic!
Current work in the NWT, is co-led by Claire Singer and Dr. Erin Cameron (SMU), and guided by an Indigenous Advisory Committee. Interviews with local land users were conducted throughout the territory to assess the impact of climate change on important berry species. These findings will notably support assessment under the the NWT Species at Risk Act. Current research in the SEL Lab is using spatial data collected during the interviews to assess the distribution and abundance of berries in the Gwich’in Settlement Area as well as understand wildlife-human interactions during the berry season in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.
Since 2008, Northern residents, students and researchers have been monitoring the abundance of berries in Inuit Nunangat, an area composed of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut. More than 15 years ago, communities expressed interest in collaborating to understand how berry abundance and quality are changing as the Arctic warms. The species monitored include blueberries, cranberries, crowberries and cloudberries, all important for harvesting and food sovereignty across the North. The abundance of these berries throughout the last 15 years is visualized on the Dashboard, which also allows researchers and community members to add data at any time.
Plant-herbivore interactions in Iceland
Research in Iceland is investigating the relative impact of wild and domestic herbivore on vegetation using fecal pellet count and DNA analyses as well as exclosure experiments. We are also documenting sheep farmers’ knowledge of environmental changes.
We support the activities of the Herbivory Network and work in close collaboration with the Grólind program, an extensive governmental initiative to monitor soil degradation on public land.