Adaptation to global change in Alberta’s mountain environment
Using the Columbian ground squirrel as a model animal species, we are examining organismal responses to patterns of global change. Because of demonstrated gene flow over the mountain environment, from alpine to foothill habitats in Alberta, the ground squirrels have evolved extreme phenotypic plasticity in their lifecycles. Thus, they are at the extreme favorable limit of flexibility to short-term changes in the physical environment that are occurring under climatic aspects of global change. In addition, the ground squirrels respond through their lifecycles to two critical climatic changes that are especially important in Alberta: the onset of spring and the intensity of midsummer warming and drying. These climatic elements exhibit increased fluctuations over the years, and our long-term studies permit testing of both basic and practical questions of animal reactions to climatic fluctuations.
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PI: Dr. F Stephen Dobson (Professor, Auburn University)
​Duration: 26 years ongoing (1992-present)
Collaborators: P Neuhaus (Univ Calgary), DW Coltman (U Alberta), VA Viblanc (IPHC-CNRS), JE Lane (Univ Saskatoon), etc.......
Adaptation to global change in Alberta’s mountain environment
Using the Columbian ground squirrel as a model animal species, we are examining organismal responses to patterns of global change. Because of demonstrated gene flow over the mountain environment, from alpine to foothill habitats in Alberta, the ground squirrels have evolved extreme phenotypic plasticity in their lifecycles. Thus, they are at the extreme favorable limit of flexibility to short-term changes in the physical environment that are occurring under climatic aspects of global change. In addition, the ground squirrels respond through their lifecycles to two critical climatic changes that are especially important in Alberta: the onset of spring and the intensity of midsummer warming and drying. These climatic elements exhibit increased fluctuations over the years, and our long-term studies permit testing of both basic and practical questions of animal reactions to climatic fluctuations.
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PI: Dr. F Stephen Dobson (Professor, Auburn University)
​Duration: 26 years ongoing (1992-present)
Collaborators: P Neuhaus (Univ Calgary), DW Coltman (U Alberta), VA Viblanc (IPHC-CNRS), JE Lane (Univ Saskatoon), etc.......
Outreach
As a group of scientists, we are always eager to share what we learn of the Mountain ecosystem and its inhabitants not only with our peer colleagues and institutions, but more largely with the community - both local and beyond. As such, the Mountain Mammal Research Group regularly takes part in several public events showcasing its research and meeting/discussing with people from a range of different backgrounds.
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Biogeoscience Institute Open Field Day
Once a year, we host a group of people interested in discovering more about how mountain mammal research is conducted on the ground. They follow us in the field learning about observation techniques, wild animal trapping and handling, population monitoring and species behaviour, physiology and ecology. They are given the possibility to slip into biologists shoes for a day and live the routine of mountain mammal ecologists ! If you are interested in participating in an open field day, stay tuned to the Biogeoscience Institute for more information.
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Biogeoscience Institute Open House Day
In conjuncture with the Open Field Day, we participate in the Barrier Lake Field Station Open House day. Here, we are able to showcase equipment and laboratory techniques that are used for Mountain Mammal Research. We typically have a short video presentation about our research and people are encouraged to manipulate traps, scales, handling bags, tags, tagging pliers, callipers, binoculars, pipettes, and all of the equipment we use in the field or in the field lab on a daily basis. If you are interested in participating in the Barrier Lake Field Station Open House, stay tuned to the Biogeoscience Institute for more information.
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Citizen Science
We are currently thinking about a citizen science platform where visitors of the Park could actively engage in research by providing us with information on spotted animals and their location. Stay tuned for more information.
