Rigid-hull inflatable boat for field research on avian ecology, evolution and conservation

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We request NSERC support for a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RIB) to be used in field research by five highly active investigators and their research teams based at the University of Guelph, the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Victoria.  The research programs of PIs involve extensive field research on avian conservation, ecology, and evolution.  This RIB will be used for all 12 months of the year and serve the following functions: (1) sample marbled murrelets in Desolation Sound and other locations along southern and central coasts of BC to test if diet quality influences reproductive success, (2) conduct at-sea surveys of  marbled murrelets along the SW coast of Vancouver Island, (3) study the molting ecology of surf and white-winged scoters in southeast Alaska, (4) collect blood samples and re-sight colour-banded song sparrows, as well as conduct systematic presence/absence surveys of the avian community in the Gulf Islands, Straight of Georgia, BC, (5) examine the population structure and demography of Barrow's goldeneye in the Straight of Georgia, and (6) sample sand lance from the water column at various sites on Vancouver Island and the southern coast of British Columbia.  Use of a vehicle to collect field data and train students is essential for all PIs research programs.  None of the applicants have funding to purchase a zodiac for these projects.  If funds are not received, PIs will need to rent RIBs using other sources (e.g. Discovery Grant), representing a significant proportion of their annual expenses that would otherwise be used to support and train students.  During the next five years, four Ph.D. students, eight M.Sc. students, nine undergraduate thesis students, twenty-four undergraduate field technicians, and two postdocs will benefit from using this boat for field research (total HQP = 47).  All of these students will be trained in advanced skills in field biology and ornithology.  Acquisition of this boat will, therefore, be an extraordinarily valuable piece of equipment for training and conducting research.