Population dynamics and trophic interactions in arctic birds and mammals

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The Arctic has been the main focus of my research program for the past 22 years,. My long-term goals are to understand the effects of human-induced changes in climate and habitat on the population dynamic and trophic interactions of arctic birds and mammals. My research is centered on long-term population studies of two herbivorous groups of the tundra, the migratory snow geese and the resident lemmings, and of their predators. I will examine if the temporal mismatch between the timing of breeding in geese and their food plant induced by climate warming has increased over time and is impacting negatively their reproduction and feather moult. I will also attempt to incorporate into a population model antagonistic effects of climatic factors on snow geese vital rates in order to predict future population trend under various climatic scenarios. Finally, I will assess if the population cycles of lemmings are primarily controlled by winter food resources or summer predation rate, and the sensitivity of this cyclic dynamic to climatic factors. Field work for this research will be conducted at the field station located on Bylot Island, Nunavut, and will require intensive field work during several months over a few years. My projects will provide training for graduate students in biology at universities and students enrolled in environmental technologies at northern colleges. My research benefits agencies managing arctic resources. For instance, the Canadian Wildlife Service uses our results to determine hunting regulations and manage the snow goose population and we collaborate with Parks Canada to assess and monitor the ecological integrity of northern parks and conservation areas. We will also disseminate our results to northerners by organizing workshops, giving lectures at schools and to the general public and organising temporary exhibits with scientific material and videos in northern communities.