Assessing forest disturbance and recovery with spatial and temporal structural morphology

Principal Investigator: Tarmo Remmel. Funding: NSERC Discovery Grant. Term: 2021-2026. The project is developing an explicit logic and corresponding software to extend morphological segmentation to depict a true 3D characterization of landscapes. Methods will be subject to sensitivity analysis and will be used to compare the effects and recovery of landscape processes such as fire,

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Drivers and consequences of individual specialization in an Arctic marine top predator

Principal Investigator: Gregory Thiemann Funding: NSERC Discovery Grant. Term: 2021-2026. The proposed research involves testing hypotheses around the environmental drivers and ecological consequences of individual specialization, using the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) as a model species and target for conservation. As a long­-lived top predator in a dynamic habitat, polar bears demonstrate several characteristics that

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Indigenous Climate Change Futures: Envisioning Well-Being with the Earth

Principal Investigator: Deborah McGregor/Co-Investigators: Lisa Myers and Alan Corbiere Funding: SSHRC Insight Grant. Term: 2021-2025. The project aims to define what it means to “live well” from a self-determined Indigenous perspective. Building on previous SSHRC-funded research, the project team will focus specifically on the Anishinaabek concept of mino-mnaamodzawin (well-being with all life) as aframework for

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Developing practical solutions to climate change

As Director of the International Renewable Energy Academy (IREA), Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI), and founding member of Project Climate Change/Climate Solutions Park, Professor Jose Etcheverry is focused on developing practical solutions to climate change through collaborative efforts with various partners and stakeholders. He is part of York University’s Board of Governors and the Senate Executive where he is working with colleagues towards achieving

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Developing practical solutions to climate emergency

by Codrina Ibanescu What does our collective future look like, with the current climate crisis on the horizon? Moreover, what role does education play in advancing climate solutions to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for tomorrow? We simply cannot solve today’s problems using yesterday’s thinking – the future of our youth and our planet

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Climate, conflict, and co-existence: Identifying the drivers of human-polar bear interaction in Southern Hudson Bay

Principal Investigator: Gregory Thiemann Funding: World Wildlife Fund Term: 2021 – to date The primary goal of this research is to reduce the risk of human-polar bear conflict. This will both reduce the risk of injury to people and reduce the number of polar bears killed in defense of life or property. Secondarily, the proposed

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Quantifying boreal fire boundary gradients

by Madison Downer-Bartholomew Forest fires are a frequent and natural disturbance within the boreal forest. The diversity of the boreal is largely the result of these fires that are varied in frequency, intensity, size, shape, and season. Fire behavior in the boreal varies from intense crown fires to slow moving ground fires, depending on factors

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Testing a rapid laboratory method for tracking permafrost thaw slump activity

by Claire O’Hagan Permafrost is permanently frozen ground, and is critical to the ecosystem health and function in northern landscapes. It is important for maintaining the stability of the soil, as well as the welfare of the organisms that inhabit northern areas. Permafrost thaw, ongoing as a result of anthropogenic climate change, has increased the

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4REAL experiential learning opportunity to focus on local climate solutions

The Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada) is supporting York University’s 4REAL (4th Renewable Energy & Agricultural Learning) project. CEWIL partners with post-secondary institutions, community members, employers, government and students to champion work-integrated learning. The 4REAL experiential learning opportunity will focus on local climate change solutions through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically

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Birds and plastic pollution – A case study in Toronto

by Melina Damian, MES, Ontario Nature’s Communications Coordinator When you think of a bird’s nest, what’s the first image that comes to mind? Probably a bunch of sticks and leaves bundled together – right? Unfortunately, for birds that live in urbanized areas, they often use anthropogenic debris (otherwise known as garbage) to build their nests.

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