Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chloe Morineau, Yan Boulanger, Philippe Gachon, Sabrina Plante, Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
Summary: The contraction of species range is a significant symptom of biodiversity loss. This study assesses the potential effects of recent climate change on the observed range contraction of boreal populations of woodland caribou in Quebec. The results suggest that the range recession of caribou in Quebec is mainly caused by anthropogenic drivers rather than climate change.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mathieu Leblond, Yan Boulanger, Jesus Pascual Puigdevall, Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
Summary: Many boreal populations of woodland caribou in Canada are declining due to human activities and climate change. This study used a forest landscape model to predict future caribou habitat suitability and found that harvesting has a dominant impact on habitat suitability, while climate change also plays a role, especially under high radiative forcing scenarios.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Steven F. Wilson, Thomas D. Nudds, Andrew de Vries
Summary: With the urgency of conservation actions increasing, the identification of causal relationships becomes crucial for the successful recovery of endangered species. While observational studies are the main source of information, limitations in experimental conditions may lead to weak inferences, constraining decision-making.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Steven F. Wilson, Wendy Crosina, Elston Dzus, Dave Hervieux, Philip D. McLoughlin, Laura M. Trout, Thomas D. Nudds
Summary: Delineating relevant local populations of widely distributed species is a common challenge in conservation ecology. In this study, the researchers used GPS telemetry data and network analysis to identify local population boundaries of caribou populations, providing valuable information for conservation planning.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Martin-Hugues St-Laurent, Yan Boulanger, Dominic Cyr, Francis Manka, Pierre Drapeau, Sylvie Gauthier
Summary: This study evaluated how climate change will affect boreal caribou habitat, finding that it may lead to a decrease in habitat quality, a reduction in high-quality habitat, and a northward recession of suitable habitat. Timber harvesting was found to be the most important factor of change for the 2030-2050 horizon, although it may be replaced by changes in fire regime by 2100.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Rebecca Lacerte, Mathieu Leblond, Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
Summary: The study assessed the short-term establishment of vegetation following four different treatments applied on forest roads in eastern Canada. The combination of closing the road to traffic, decompacting the soil, and planting black spruce trees was found to be the most effective treatment for establishing regeneration that would lead to suitable caribou habitat. The results suggest that decommissioning forest roads could benefit caribou populations, especially when done at a sufficiently broad scale and accompanied by other habitat restoration and protection practices.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John P. Severson, Heather E. Johnson, Stephen M. Arthur, William B. Leacock, Michael J. Suitor
Summary: Phenological changes in spring can have significant impacts on the behavior and space utilization patterns of migratory barren-ground caribou, with future climate conditions projected to further shift their distributions westward.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Melanie Dickie, Geoff G. Sherman, Glenn D. Sutherland, Robert S. McNay, Michael Cody
Summary: Restoration of human-altered habitat is crucial for maintaining self-sustaining woodland caribou populations. This study evaluated the impact of restoration on predator-prey dynamics by measuring the movement speeds of predators and their associated prey on treated and untreated seismic lines. The results show that restoration treatments reduce travel speeds of predators and caribou, potentially leading to a decrease in caribou mortality.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
O. Alejandro Aleuy, Michele Anholt, Karin Orsel, Fabien Mavrot, Catherine A. Gagnon, Kimberlee Beckmen, Steeve D. Cote, Christine Cuyler, Andrew Dobson, Brett Elkin, Lisa-Marie Leclerc, Joelle Taillon, Susan Kutz
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiology and environmental factors of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in the Arctic and found that seropositivity was highest during warmer months and among adult males. Summer seroprevalence increases were associated with oestrid index, icing and snowing events, and precipitation from the same year, but decreased with growing degree days in the same year. The findings provide valuable insights into disease prevalence and can help in anticipating and mitigating climate change-related diseases among Arctic wildlife and human populations.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca S. Taylor, Micheline Manseau, Cornelya F. C. Klutsch, Jean L. Polfus, Audrey Steedman, Dave Hervieux, Allicia Kelly, Nicholas C. Larter, Mary Gamberg, Helen Schwantje, Paul J. Wilson
Summary: The study found that a major population expansion of caribou occurred at the start of the last glacial period, with effective population sizes reaching 700,000 to 1,000,000 individuals, one of the highest for any mammal species recorded. Mitochondrial analyses dated introgression events prior to the last glacial maximum, demonstrating the importance of pre-LGM events in shaping demographic history.
Article
Ecology
John P. Severson, Timothy C. Vosburgh, Heather E. Johnson
Summary: This study examines the influence of traffic volume on caribou's summer space use and road crossings in Arctic Alaska. The results show that caribou prefer areas further from roads during the post-calving and mosquito seasons, and select areas with lower traffic volumes. Additionally, during the insect seasons, caribou are less likely to cross roads as traffic increases, but this response dissipates as insect harassment becomes more severe.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Timothy J. Fullman, Ryan R. Wilson, Kyle Joly, David D. Gustine, Paul Leonard, Wendy M. Loya
Summary: This study explores the behavior patterns of migratory species and their impact on development projects, presenting a technique that uses circuit theory to predict future effects of development. Caribou avoid dense vegetation, rugged terrain, and other natural environmental features during migration, with different relationships between resource selection and landscape resistance observed during spring and fall migrations.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Doug MacNearney, Barry Nobert, Laura Finnegan
Summary: The study found that oil and gas development has a dynamic impact on woodland caribou habitat selection, with wellsites having the greatest influence when human activity is highest, continuing to affect habitat selection even after activity ceases. Caribou tend to avoid wellsites, with avoidance increasing based on the level of activity at the nearest wellsites. Management practices and land-use planning are needed to minimize impacts on caribou and their habitat.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Sean Konkolics, Melanie Dickie, Robert Serrouya, Dave Hervieux, Stan Boutin
Summary: The federal recovery strategy for boreal woodland caribou in Canada classifies areas burned by forest fire as disturbed habitat. However, research shows that caribou avoid burned and unburned residual patches, but increased use of burned habitats does not lower the survival of adult caribou.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Samantha McFarlane, Micheline Manseau, Teri B. B. Jones, Darren Pouliot, Gabriela Mastromonaco, Gigi Pittoello, Paul J. J. Wilson
Summary: This study examines the effects of variable density on demographic parameters in a wild population of boreal woodland caribou. The results show that density affects individual reproductive success, female pregnancy status, and dispersal distance. The study suggests that remnant habitat patches may create population sinks.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Simo N. Maduna, Adam Vivian-Smith, Olof Dora Bartels Jonsdottir, Albert K. D. Imsland, Cornelya F. C. Klutsch, Tommi Nyman, Hans Geir Eiken, Snorre B. Hagen
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Robby R. Marrotte, Jeff Bowman, Paul J. Wilson
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abdelhameed Elameen, Cornelya F. C. Klutsch, Ida Floystad, Geir K. Knudsen, Marco Tasin, Snorre B. Hagen, Hans Geir Eiken
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melanie B. Prentice, Jeff Bowman, Dennis L. Murray, Kamal Khidas, Paul J. Wilson
Article
Ecology
Cornelya F. C. Klutsch, Paul Eric Aspholm, Natalia Polikarpova, Olga Veisblium, Tor-Arne Bjorn, Anne Wikan, Victoria Gonzalez, Snorre B. Hagen
Summary: The Phenology of the North Calotte project aims to introduce climate change challenges to students in northern Norway, Russia, and Finland through citizen science, with partnerships between schools and regional organizations. However, differences in school systems and funding uncertainty have been major obstacles for program retention.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Annika Herrero, Cornelya F. C. Klutsch, Katja Holmala, Simo N. Maduna, Alexander Kopatz, Hans Geir Eiken, Snorre B. Hagen
Summary: This study analyzed the dispersal patterns of Eurasian lynx in southern Finland, showing a male-biased dispersal and female philopatry. Female genetic structuring increased from west to east within the study area. Detection of male-biased dispersal was influenced by analytical methods, genetic structuring consideration, and population delineation.
Article
Ecology
Samantha McFarlane, Micheline Manseau, Paul J. Wilson
Summary: Analyzing familial networks using genetic pedigree data can provide insights on individual contributions and spatial structures within populations. Utilizing centrality measures can help identify areas of highest fitness levels and family cohesion in a population. Different levels of dispersal, fitness, and cohesion can be observed within family groups, supporting population monitoring and recovery efforts.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca S. Taylor, Micheline Manseau, Cornelya F. C. Klutsch, Jean L. Polfus, Audrey Steedman, Dave Hervieux, Allicia Kelly, Nicholas C. Larter, Mary Gamberg, Helen Schwantje, Paul J. Wilson
Summary: The study found that a major population expansion of caribou occurred at the start of the last glacial period, with effective population sizes reaching 700,000 to 1,000,000 individuals, one of the highest for any mammal species recorded. Mitochondrial analyses dated introgression events prior to the last glacial maximum, demonstrating the importance of pre-LGM events in shaping demographic history.
Article
Biology
Simo Njabulo Maduna, Jon Aars, Ida Floystad, Cornelya F. C. Klutsch, Eve M. L. Zeyl Fiskebeck, Oystein Wiig, Dorothee Ehrich, Magnus Andersen, Lutz Bachmann, Andrew E. Derocher, Tommi Nyman, Hans Geir Eiken, Snorre B. Hagen
Summary: Climate change-induced loss of Arctic sea ice is predicted to have negative impacts on genetic diversity and gene flow in ice-dependent species like polar bears. A study on polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago showed a loss in genetic diversity and an increase in genetic differentiation, attributed to habitat fragmentation caused by reduced sea ice coverage leading to increased inbreeding within local populations. This highlights the importance of genetic monitoring for developing adaptive management strategies for polar bears and other ice-dependent species.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Paul J. Wilson, Linda Y. Rutledge
Summary: This study reanalyzes contemporary and ancient Canis DNA genomes to more accurately estimate divergence dates among lineages, and reviews literature on Late Pleistocene Canis distributions to identify potential progenitors and ancient hybridization events. The proposed Beringian gray wolves and extinct large wolf-like coyotes may represent previously unrecognized sources of introgressed genomic variation within contemporary Canis genomes.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Simo Maduna, Adam B. Vivian-Smith, Olof Dora Bartels Jonsdottir, Albert K. D. Imsland, Cornelya F. C. Klutsch, Tommi Nyman, Hans Geir Eiken, Snorre B. Hagen
Summary: We determined the mitogenome of Cyclopterus lumpus using a hybrid sequencing approach and studied related species in the Liparidae. The length and organization of C. lumpus mitogenome were similar to those of cottoids. We also found a unique GC-homopolymer region in the intergenic space between tRNA(Leu2) and ND1 in liparids and cyclopterids. Phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed the monophyly of infraorders and supported a sister-group relationship between Cyclopteridae and Liparidae. Overall, our analysis expanded the availability of mitogenomic sequences and shed light on mitogenomic adaptation in Cottoidei fish.
Article
Ecology
Kirsten Solmundson, Jeff Bowman, Micheline Manseau, Rebecca S. S. Taylor, Sonesinh Keobouasone, Paul J. J. Wilson
Summary: Caribou in Canada have experienced significant declines in range and population size. Caribou populations along Lake Superior represent a remnant distribution at the trailing edge of the receding population, and they exhibit distinct genomic characteristics with some gene flow with the continuous boreal caribou range.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Amanda Orr, Paul Wilson, Theresa Stotesbury
Summary: Understanding human blood behavior outside of the body has importance in forensic research, especially in bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA). Designing forensic blood substitutes (FBSs) can provide advantages in forensic applications. This study presents the design of synthetic hydrogels containing electrosprayed microparticles (MPs) with and without crosslinked DNA for FBSs. The optimized FBS shows accurate and predictable spreading behavior in BPA scenarios and can be processed for DNA extraction, amplification, and genotyping similar to human blood evidence with a shelf-life of over 4 weeks.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cornelya F. C. Klutsch, Simo N. Maduna, Natalia Polikarpova, Kristin Forfang, Benedicte Beddari, Karl Oystein Gjelland, Paul Eric Aspholm, Per-Arne Amundsen, Snorre B. Hagen
Summary: The study shows that modern breeding practices are inadequate in preventing genetic diversity loss and morphological changes in brown trout, as evidenced by smaller body sizes and genetic bottleneck signatures in modern breeding stock compared to wild fish. Conservation management needs to reassess breeding protocols to ensure the long-term preservation of genetic diversity and morphology in brown trout.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Mike Illes, Paul Wilson
CANADIAN SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2020)