Volume 16 Issue 1 Spring 2009
DEPARTMENT OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Landmark News Alberta School of Forest Science & Management Established in conjunction with the Faculty of ALES Integration of Ecological, Economic and Social Forestry Research and Education On February 25, the U of A Academic Program Committee of General Faculty Council unanimously approved establishment of the Alberta School of Forest Science & Management as an interdepartmental unit in our Faculty. The School received strong support from the forest industry, provincial government agencies, and former grad and undergrad students. We are most excited by the prospects!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Academic News
3
Publications
6
Landmark Laurels
10
Alumni Profile
11
Graduate Student News
12
Undergraduate Student News
17
Contact Us
22
The mission of the proposed Alberta School of Forest Science & Management is to
highlight, guide and enhance the University of Alberta’s commitment to education and research in the area of Forest Science & Management,
build and support effective local, provincial, national and international partnerships to support these activities, and
ensure that the full benefits of sustainable forest management and innovative forest sector technologies accrue to Albertans.
The School will provide a renewed ‘nameplate’ for our undergraduate academic program in Forestry. The Forestry program was established in 1971 and has become highly regarded and visible throughout North America. Many of our forestry and forest business management graduates are well placed in the Alberta, Canadian and international forestry sectors and they are justifiably proud to trace their roots to Alberta. With the loss of the ‘Forestry’ label from the Faculty name last year, it was imperative to re-emphasize that the University’s commitment to forestry work remains undiminished under the general umbrella of ‘environmental science’ in our Faculty. Initially, the School directed by the Chair of the Department of Renewable Resources, and together with a small team including the ALES Dean, the Chair of Rural Economy, the Director of Centre for Enhanced Forest Management (CEFM), will guide development of the School in consultation. Development will focus on building stronger collaborative efforts with other faculties, the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Development, the Canadian Forest Service, the Foothills Research Institute and other agencies. (Continued on page 2)
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 1
Long Service Awards presented to Academic Staff in November 2008 David Chanasyk, Professor— 30 years Vic Lieffers, Professor—25 years Noorallah Juma, Professor Emeritus—25 years
Message from the Chair—If you want to see a human ‘beehive’ in action, come and visit the department. What a year it has been … and this is just the introduction to what’s coming! In this issue you can read about the opening of the Alberta School of Forest Science and Management and a new NSERC Industrial Research Chair for Simon Landhäusser in the area of forest regeneration on disturbed lands. Furthermore, we have been working actively with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and the Canadian Forest Service to establish a new initiative in Wildland Fire Management, which will begin to roll out in 2009.
expanding our productive relationship with FRI. A host of interesting and useful research projects steams along in the department, driven largely by the high enthusiasm and awesome performance of our graduate students. Our professors are happily engaged in their classrooms working with an able group of undergraduate students, while still finding time to participate actively in the research and interactions with our various partners. Especially notable among recent visitors to the department is Avrim Lazar, President of the Forest Products Association of Canada. Avrim delivered a stimulating dose of optimism about the future of forestry in Canada at the March FILS lecture.
Most interesting among the year’s travels for me were trips to the Republic of South Africa to participate in the We are pleased to have Chris StockInternational Congress of Entomology dale from the Foothills Research Instilast summer and a December visit to tute among us and look forward to Beijing to represent our programs at an International Symposium for For-
John at the Great Wall—2008
estry Education. I was treated by the spectacular sight of snow on the Great Wall and inspired (as you can see above) to do my bit to bar the way to any invading hordes. Despite the challenges of the times, we in RenR are too busy to speculate about whether or not we are having a good time. We think we are, and hope that you are too. Chins up and stride forward!
John Spence
Bentley Lecture & Robertson Dinner Guest Speaker: Dr. Rene Van Acker Tuesday, October 6 2009 Sustainable Agriculture development requires a shift from an industrial to a multifunctional model Contact Miles Dyck for more info at 780-492-2886 or miles.dyck@ualberta.ca
(Continued from page 1) ASFSM
Although undergraduate forestry enrollments have fallen at the U of A in recent years - in a trend paralleled across North America - the program continues to provide significant and much-needed capacity for the forestry sector. Furthermore, our graduate and research programs in this area are well subscribed and extremely successful. Alberta is especially well known for work on forest biodiversity, forest ecology, forest economics and silviculture. Our research in forest science has been innovative, significant, well recognized and well funded. No changes are envisioned with respect to the ongoing administration of the present undergraduate programs in Forestry (administered by an interdepartmental ALES Program Committee) and Forest Business Management (administered jointly by ALES and the Faculty of Business). However, the Department of Renewable Resources is currently conducting a curriculum review which builds nicely into the formation of the new School and confirms our commitment to leading-edge forestry and forestry business management education programs at the U of A. The department is especially excited about the prospect of more research collaboration with our colleagues in the Department of Rural Economy under the auspices of the new School. John Spence Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 2
Simon Landhäusser Named NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Forest Land Reclamation
Academic News
In partnership with Suncor Energy Inc., Syncrude Canada Ltd., Albian Sands Energy Inc., and EPCOR Inc. the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada has named Dr. Simon Landhäusser as NSERC Industrial Research Chair effective January 1, 2009. The initial award covers a period of 5 years. Industrial disturbances such as open pit mining for mineral resources currently affect significant areas in the boreal forest regions of Canada. These activities completely remove vegetation, soil, and subsoil to expose the layers that contain the resource. This Industrial Chair will address questions related to the reclamation of disturbed lands to selfsustaining boreal forest ecosystems common to the region. The research program will focus on the function and underlying processes of forest canopy cover as a prime factor in determining forest successional pathways. The key activities of the Chair will be to develop innovative strategies and techniques for the re-establishment of forests on surface mined lands and to investigate whether these forests develop and display processes and functions comparable to natural ecosystems. Initially the focus will be on the establishment of trembling aspen (an early successional fast-growing tree species native to the boreal forest) and its use as a nurse crop for forest development. In particular, factors such as seedling planting stock quality, site conditions, and planting techniques that promote rapid establishment and development of a closed forest canopy will be addressed. The research will provide the industrial partners with a clear path to reconstruct boreal forests on reclaimed lands. The chair program will help direct future forest reclamation research by leveraging and building on past and current scientific information and will help refine the knowledge and understanding needed for more effective forest reclamation strategies at the provincial, national and international level. (Summary courtesy of NSERC) Dr. Landhäusser has been associated with the Department of Renewable Resources since 1990—PhD student from 1990—94, PDF from 1994—96, Research Associate from 1996-99 and since 2000 has worked as Research Assistant Professor, Centre for Enhanced Forest Management. Congratulations Simon!
Collecting...... but not dust! One aspect of our department that often flies under the radar is the fact that Renewable Resources houses 3 University collections in supporting teaching and research pursuits.
efforts, loans of soil thin sections materials to UNBC, a critical clean-up of the wildlife collection, new University collections policies, and the relocation of the wildlife and dendrology collections to GSB.
As part of the 21 designated Natural History collections at the U of A, we have extensive soil science collection of Canadian and international soil monoliths, a teachingoriented woody plants collection, and a wildlife collection originating primarily from the work of Cy Hampson, an extraordinary naturalist and photographer from the Faculty of Education in decades past.
Kudos to our curators for the diverse work they do in building and maintaining these important resources: John Acorn (wildlife), Scott Chang (soil science), and Bruce Dancik (dendrology). Many past curators, students and supporters have contributed significant efforts over many years. If these collections are of interest to you, just contact our curators or see the information available at the department’s and Museums & Collections’ websites.
This is a particularly busy year in the life of our collections, with curatorial transitions, increased inventorying
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 3
Bob Longworth
Academic News (cont’d) Academic Updates Scott Chang chaired the recent (Feb 17-19, 2009) Alberta Soil Science Workshop (ASSW) held in the Mayfield Inn and Suites conference centre. The Alberta Soil Science Workshop receives sponsorship from both the Department and the Dean’s Office. Miles Dyck is incoming Secretary for Alberta Soil Science Workshop (ASSW). Lee Foote, Suzanne Bayley, Naomi Krogman (University of Alberta) and Irena Creed (University of Western Ontario) have been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Alberta Ingenuity's Alberta Water Research Institute to examine wetland quality, distribution, landscape setting, and policy effects on reclamation and compensation. PhD student Shari Clare is supported by this work.
New Academic Staff Miles Dyck—Assistant Professor, Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Welcome to new academic staff member, Miles Dyck., successful candidate for the position of Assistant Professor, Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture. Miles assumed his duties in October, 2008. Miles grew up on a farm southwest of Swift Current Saskatchewan – the loess plateau of Saskatchewan. The glacial sediments in this area are relatively thin and tertiary bedrock (Cypress Hills Formation/Ravenscrag Formation as seen in the photo) is exposed in glacial meltwater channels through out the area. As a lad, Miles wondered how the landscape surrounding him came to be and it was this curiosity that influenced his decision to pursue a BSc in Environmental Earth Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. During his undergraduate studies, Miles found most of the information he was looking for in soil science classes. The learning bug hit hard and he decided to pursue as MSc in soil physics. After completing his MSc, Miles worked as a research assistant in the Department of Soil Science (U of Sask), and a soil remediation consultant for a small environmental consulting firm in Calgary, AB. In 2003, Miles began his PhD studies, under the supervision of Gary Kachanoski, in the Department of Renewable Resources. Miles also served as a contract sessional instructor with our department for the previous two years, until the completion of his PhD in September 2008.
Miles at Frenchman River Valley
Miles enjoys camping, hiking and spending time with friends. He likes to read philosophy books now and then. His most recent attempt at this is Sources of the Self by Charles Taylor. He looks forward to finishing it during his first sabbatical. Other hobbies include making fun of Glen Armstrong. He is looking forward to his tenure at the University of Alberta.
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 4
Funding for Oil Sands Research Lee Foote—Scientists receive funding to study food webs in Oil Sands-affected wetlands Five scientists at 4 Canadian universities are collaborating on a five-year $3.8 million project to better understand how to restore wetlands in areas affected by oil sands mining in Alberta. Researchers Jan Ciborowski (University of Windsor), George Dixon (University of Waterloo), Lee Foote (University of Alberta), Karsten Liber and Judit Smits (both from University of Saskatchewan) are examining the effectiveness of a variety of methods used by oil companies to reclaim wetlands in areas that have been mined for crude oil in northern Alberta. Corporations involved in open-pit mining the oil sands of Athabasca have been testing a variety of methods since the 1970s to reclaim wetlands that have been lost as a result of their work. Most of those methods involve re-vegetating low-lying areas of the landscape that has been mined after filling it in with a combination of topsoil and tailings (the clay, sand and water left over from the process used to separate oil from the sand). The scientists and 20 graduate students are documenting how recreating wetlands with various combinations of mining materials, stored topsoil, and re-vegetation strategies affects the rates at which those wetlands mature. The team will determine how that maturing process affects the development and composition of plant and animal life in reclaimed wetlands, and the health and production of top predators such as frogs and tree swallows. The team will be measuring the sources of carbon and other constituents found in a variety of organisms living in the wetlands. Those levels help scientists determine the organisms’ food sources as well as provide a good indicator of the overall health of the wetlands. “This research will be enormously important in determining the industry’s capacity to meet its environmental restoration commitments in the face of pressure to meet increasing world oil demand,” says Ciborowski. Funding for the project includes $924,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, as well as money and in-kind contributions from Albian Sands Energy Ltd., Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Imperial Oil Resources, Petro-Canada, Syncrude Canada Ltd., Suncor Energy Inc. and Total E&P Canada Ltd. The universities are Lori Lewis, U Windsor also contributing support to the project.
Tariq Siddique—Exploring water use in relation to oil sands tailings The Alberta Water Research Institute awarded $1.2 million over the next 3 years to a research team of six professors from Renewable Resources, Biological Sciences, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science. Tariq Siddique and his colleagues will study the mechanisms for accelerated de-watering through biological densification of oil sands tailings. This project is based on research demonstrating that certain petroleum hydrocarbons (n-alkanes and BTEX) in solvent present in oil sands tailings are microbially metabolized to methane (CH4) in tailings settling basins (Siddique et al. 2007. Environ. Sci. Technol. 41: 2350-2356; Siddique et al. 2006. Environ. Sci. Technol. 40: 54595464). Methane production in situ appears to increase densification of oil sands tailings, resulting in the release of pore water for recycling. Currently, about 2-3 million barrels of water are used each day to produce 1 million barrels of bitumen. Most of this water (>85%) comes from recycled processed water. A projected 3-fold increase in bitumen production from oil sands by 2015 will exacerbate water demand. This project will unravel how CH4 production by microorganisms increases oil sands densification. Dr. Siddique will study pore water chemistry and clay mineralogical properties of oil sands tailings to understand the densification mechanism. This project is also supported by Syncrude Canada Ltd., Shell Canada Ltd. and Sanimax. Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 5
Publications by Academic Staff & Grad Students 2008 ada 42(4):24-251. Tan, X, Chang, SX, Comeau, PG and Wang, YH 2008. Thinning effects on microbial biomass, N mineralization, and tree growth in a mid-rotation fire-origin lodgepole pine stand in the Lower Foothills of Alberta, Canada. Forest Science. 54: 465-474.
Acorn, J. 2008. The main thing the world needs is another butterfly book. American Entomologist. 54(2): 127-8.
Mead, DJ, Chang, SX and Preston, CM 2008. Recovery of 15 N-urea 10 years after application to a Douglas-fir pole stand in coastal British Columbia. Forest Ecology and Management. 256: 694-701.
Acorn, J. 2008. How dinosaurs failed to invent clothes moths, Saurette, DD, Chang, SX and Thomas, BR 2008. Autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration rates across a chronoseamong other things. American Entomologist. 54(3): 191quence of hybrid poplar plantations in northern Alberta. 2. Canadian Journal Soil Science. 88: 261-272. Acorn, J. 2008. The changing look of insect photography. Kim, YJ, Choi, WJ, Lim, SS, Kwak, JH, Chang, SX, Kim, HY, American Entomologist. 54(4): 255-6. Yoon, KS, and Ro, MH 2008. Changes in nitrogen isoAcorn, J. 2008. Review: Tiger Beetles of Yunnan, by G. topic compositions during composting of cattle feedlot Shook and W. Xiao-Quiang. Coleopterists’ Bulletin. 62 manure: Effects of bedding material type. Bioresource (2): 219-220. Technology. 99: 5452-5458. Acorn, J. 2008. (writer and on-screen host) On the Firm Saurette, DD, Chang, SX and Thomas, BR 2008. Land-use Foundations of Curiosity: The Early History of Biology at conversion effects on CO2 emissions: from agricultural to the University of Alberta. Network One Productions, Edhybrid poplar plantation. Ecological Research. 23: 623-633. monton. 45 minute video. Teklay, T and Chang, SX 2008. Temporal changes in soil carMcCarney GR, Armstrong GW, and Adamowicz WL. 2008. bon and nitrogen storage in a hybrid poplar chronoseJoint production of timber, carbon, and wildlife habitat in quence in northern Alberta. Geoderma. 144: 613-619. the Canadian boreal plains. Can. J. For. Res. 38:1478Meng, PP, Ge, Y, Cao, QJ, Chang, J, Pan, P, Liu, C, Lu, YJ, and 1492. doi:10.1139/X07-246. Chang, SX 2008. Growth and photosynthetic responses of LeBoldus, J M., Blenis, P V and Thomas, B R. 2008 Clone three Lycoris species to levels of irradiance. HortScience 43: by isolate interaction in the hybrid poplar - Septoria musiva 134–137. pathosystem. Can. J. For. Res. 38: 1888-1896. Kwak, J.H., Choi, WJ, Lim, SS, Lee, SH, Lee, SM, Chang, SX Patterson, SJ, DS Chanasyk, MA Naeth, and E Mapfumo. and Jung, JW 2008. Sources and transformations of N in 2008a. Effect of municipal and pulp mill effluents on the reclaimed coastal tidelands: Evidence from soil δ15N data. chemical properties and nutrient status of a coarse textured Environmental Geology. 53: 1331–1338 Brunisol in a growth chamber. Can. J. Soil Sci. 88(3):429Tan, X, Chang, SX and Kabzems, R. 2008. Soil compaction 441. and forest floor removal reduced microbial biomass and Patterson, SJ, DS Chanasyk, MA Naeth, and E Mapfumo. enzyme activities in a boreal aspen forest soil. Biology and 2008b. Effects of diluted Kraft pulp mill effluent on hybrid Fertility of Soils. 44: 471–479 poplar and soil chemical properties. Irrig. Sci. 26(6):547Man, CD, PG Comeau, and DG Pitt. 2008. Competitive ef560. (Paper 3) (same as first paper) fects of woody and herbaceous vegetation in a young boreal mixedwood stand. Can. J. For. Res. 38: 1817-1828. Thibodeau, J, DS Chanasyk, and LG Fuller. 2008. Variability of vertical bromide redistribution within a hummocky land- Cortini, F. and PG Comeau. 2008. Effects of red alder and scape. Can. J. Soil Sci. 88:349-363 paper birch competition on growth of young conifers in Southwestern British Columbia. For. Ecol. Manage. Miller, JJ, BW Beasley, DS Chanasyk, FJ Larney, and BM Ol256:1795-1803. son. 2008. Short-term nitrogen leaching potential of fresh and composted beef cattle manure applied to disturbed soil Cortini, F. and PG Comeau. 2008. Evaluation of competitive cores. Compost Science and Utilization 16(1): 12-19. effects of green alder, willow and other tall shrubs in Northern Alberta . For. Ecol. Manage. 255: 82-91. Wuite, James J, David S Chanasyk, and Muhammad A Akbar. 2008. Environmental and economic evaluation of cow-calf Erbilgin N, G Ritokova, DL Wood, TR Gordon, AJ Storer. wintering site runoff control as a best management practice 2008 Temporal variation in contamination of pine ento improve surface water quality. Water Qual. Res. J. Can(Continued on page 7) Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 6
(Continued from page 6)
graver beetles with Fusarium circinatum in native Monterey pine forests in California. Plant Path. 57:1103-1108 Erbilgin N, NE Gillette, JD Stein, AS Nelson, F Uzoh, DL Wood 2008 Acetophenone superior to verbenone for reducing attraction of western pine beetle Dendroctonus brevicomis to its aggregation pheromone. Agr & For Ent. 10:433-441. McPherson BA, N Erbilgin, DL Wood, P Svihra, AJ Storer, RB Standiford 2008 Attraction of saprotrophic bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) infected by Phytophtora ramorum. Agr & For Ent. 10:315-321. Zhang QH, N Erbilgin, SJ Seybold 2008 GC-EAD responses of four bark beetle species associated with Monterey pine trees in coastal California to common host, nonhost and bark Getzin, S*, Wiegand, T, Wiegand, K and He, F 2008. beetle volatiles: Similarities and disparities. Chemoecol. Heterogeneity influences spatial patterns and demographics 18:243-254. in forest stands. Journal of Ecology 96:807-820. Grant, RF, Margolis, HA, Barr, AG, Black, TA, Dunn, AL, Witte, J-P M., He, F and Groen, C 2008. Grid origin affects Bernier, PY and Bergeron, 2008. Changes in net ecosystem scaling of species across spatial scales. Global Ecology and productivity of boreal black spruce stands in response to Biogeography 17:448–456. changes in temperature at diurnal and seasonal time scales. He, F and Tang, DL 2008. Estimating the niche preemption Tree Physiology29:1-17. parameter of the geometric series. Acta Oecologica 33:105– Grant, RF and E Pattey. 2008. Temperature sensitivity of N2O 107. emissions from fertilized agricultural soils: mathematical Nelson, W, Potapov, A, Lewis, M, Hundsdorfer, A* and He, F modelling in ecosys. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 22, GB4019, 2008. The balance of complexity in mechanistic modeling: doi:10.1029/2008GB003273. Risk analysis in the mountain pine beetle. Journal of ApY Li, JS Sperry, H Taneda, SE Bush, UG Hacke 2008 Evaluaplied Ecology 45:248-257. tion of centrifugal methods for measuring xylem cavitation Wang, SF, Tang, DL, He, F, Fukuyo, Y and Azanza, RV 2008. in conifers, diffuse- and ring-porous angiosperms. New PhyOccurrences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) associated tologist 177: 558–568. with ocean environments in the South China Sea. HydrobiO'Neill, GA, Hamann, A, Wang, T 2008. Accounting for ologia 596:79-93. population variation improves estimates of the impact of Chapman, G., EW Bork, NT Donkor & RJ Hudson. 2008. climate change on species’ growth and distribution. Journal Forage yield and quality of chicory, birdsfoot trefoil, and of Applied Ecology 45: 1040–1049. alfalfa during the establishment year. The Open Agriculture Hubbell, SP, He, F, Condit, R, Borda-de-Água, L, Kellner, J and Journal 2:68-74. ter Steege, H 2008. How many tree species are there in the Schramm, T, NT. Krogman, RJ. Hudson. 2008. Traditional Amazon and how many of them will go extinct? PNAS Ecological Knowledge of Critical Wildlife and Habitat of 105:11498–11504. the Caribou-Lower Peace River Region. In: Natcher, DC Babak, P* and He, F 2008. Species abundance distribution and (ed.) Linking Social and Ecological Research for Sustainabildynamics in two locally coupled communities. Journal of ity: A First Nations Approach to Forest Management. ConTheoretical Biology 253:739-748. cord, Ont: Captus Press, pp.145-163. Zhu, HT*, He, F and Zhou, J 2008. Auto-multicategorical reGerald Singh, Robert J. Hudson, Noble T. Donkor. 2008. Progression model for the distribution of vegetation. Statistics ductivity, efficiency and resilience of crop and livestock and Its Interface 1:63–73. production. Animal and Plant Productivity, [Ed. Robert Gamarra, JGP* and He, F 2008. Spatial scaling of mountain pine beetle infestations. Journal of Animal Ecology 77:796801. (News on BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/ wales/7469343.stm) Shen, T J and He, F 2008. An incidence-based richness estimator for quadrats sampled without replacement. Ecology 89:2052-2060.
J.Hudson], in Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), Developed under the Auspices of the UNESCO, Eolss Publishers, Oxford,UK. Meng, S.X., Huang, S., Lieffers, V.J. Nunifu, T. Yang, Y. 2008. Wind speed and crown class influence the height-diameter relationship of lodgepole pine: nonlinear mixed-effects
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 7
(Continued on page 8)
(Continued from page 7)
modeling. For Ecol. Management. 256: 570-577. Rudnicki, M., Meyer, T.H, Lieffers, V.J., Silins, U. and Webb, V.A. 2008. The periodic motion of lodgepole pine trees as affected by collisions with neighbors. Trees – Structure and Function. 22: 475-482. Gradowski, T., Sidders, D., Keddy, T., Lieffers, V.J. and Landhäusser S.M. 2008. Effects of overstory retention and site preparation on growth of planted white spruce seedlings in deciduous and coniferous dominated boreal plains mixedwoods Forest Ecol. Manage. 255: 3744-3749. Chhin, S., Hogg, E.H., Lieffers, V.J. and Huang, S. 2008. Influences of climate on the radial growth of lodgepole pine in Alberta. Botany 86: 167-178. Metsaranta, J., Lieffers, V.J. 2008. Inequality of size and size increment in Pinus banksiana in relation to stand dynamics and annual growth rate. Annals of Botany 101: 561-571
Choi, YD, VM Temperton, EB Allen, AP Grootjans, M Halassy, RJ Hobbs, MA Naeth and K Torok. 2008 Ecological restoration for future sustainability in a changing environment. Ecoscience 15:53-64.
Metsaranta, J., Lieffers, V.J. and Wein, R.W. 2008. Dendrochronological reconstruction of jack pine snag and downed log dynamics in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada. Forest Ecology and Management. 255:1262-1270.
Aldridge, CL, Nielsen, SE, Beyer, HL, Boyce, MS, Connelly, JW, Knick, ST, Schroeder, MA, 2008. Range-wide patterns of greater sage-grouse persistence. Diversity and Distributions, 14, 983–994.
Lieffers, V.J., Armstrong, G.W., Stadt, K.J. and Marenholtz, E. H. 2008. Forest regeneration standards: are they limiting management options for Alberta’s boreal mixedwoods? Forestry Chron. 84:76-82
Nielsen, SE, Boyce, MS, Beyer, H, Huettmann, F, & Stenhouse, GS, 2008. Can natural disturbance-based forestry rescue a declining population of grizzly bears? Biological Conservation, 141, 2193–2207.
Bladon, K.D., Lieffers, V.J., Silins, U., Landhausser, S.M. and Thiffault, E, KD Hannam, SA Quideau, D Paré, N Bélanger, Blenis, P.V. 2008. Elevated mortality of residual trees folSW Oh, and AD Munson. 2008. Chemical composition of lowing structural retention harvesting in boreal mixedforest floor and consequences for nutrient availability after woods. Forestry Chronicle. 84:70-75. wildfire and harvesting in the boreal forest. Plant Soil 308: 37-53. Startsev, N., Lieffers, V.J. and Landhäusser, S.M. 2008. Effects of leaf litter on the growth of boreal feathermosses: implica- Singh, S., B.D. Amiro, and S.A. Quideau. 2008. Effects of fortions for forest floor development. J. Veg. Sci. 19: 253-260. est floor organic layer and root biomass on soil respiration Mundell, T.L. Landhäusser, S. M., and Lieffers, V.J. 2008. Root carbohydrates and aspen regeneration in relation to season of harvest and machine traffic. For. Ecol Manage. 255: 68-74.
following boreal forest fire. Can. J. Forest Res. 38: 647-655.
MacKenzie, MD, EJB McIntire, SA Quideau, and RC Graham. 2008. Charcoal distribution affects carbon and nitrogen contents in forest soils of California. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 72: Kreyling, J., Schmiedinger, A., Macdonald, S.E., Beierkuhnlein, 1774-1785. C. 2008. Slow understory redevelopment after clearcutting SA Quideau, D Chanasyk, S Grayston, and C Prescott. 2008. in high mountain forests. Biodiversity and Conservation Nutrient biogeochemistry in Athabasca Oil Sands reclama17: 2339-2355. (Impact Factor: 1.42) tion. NSERC-CRD final report, 20 pages Lazaruk, L., S.E. Macdonald, G. Kernaghan. 2008. The effect Siddique, T, Gupta, R Fedorak, PM Mackinnon, MD, and of mechanical site preparation on ectomycorrhizae of Foght, JM 2008. A first approximation model to predict planted white spruce seedlings in conifer-dominated boreal methane generation from oil sands tailings settling basin. mixedwood forest. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 38: Chemosphere. 72: 1573-1580. (I conducted the experi2072-2079. (I.F. 1.55). ments and wrote this article for submission. The data originated from my research in the Department of Biological Kreyling, J, A Schmiedinger, SE Macdonald, and C Sciences at the University of Alberta) Beierkuhnlein. 2008. Potential for natural tree regeneration after clearcutting in subalpine forests. Western Journal Bladon, KD, Silins, U, Wagner, MJ, Stone, M, Emelko, MB, of Applied Forestry 23: 46-52. Mendoza, CA, Devito, KJ, & Boon, S, 2008 Wildfire imNaeth, MA and SR Wilkinson. 2008. Lichens as bioindicators of point source air pollution, Northwest Territories, Canada. Journal of Environmental Quality 37:1675-1684.
pacts on nitrogen concentration and production from headwater streams in southern Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, Can.
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 8
(Continued on page 9)
ings, The Canadian Entomologist The Canadian Entomologist 140 (July/August issue) (pp. vi-ix).
(Continued from page 8)
J. For. Res. 38: 2359-2371. Rudnicki M., Meyer, T.H., Lieffers, V.J., Silins, U., & Webb, V.A., 2008 The periodic motion of lodgepole pine trees as affected by collisions with neighbors, Trees Structure & Function 22:475-482. Petrone, RM, Devito, KJ, Silins, U, Mendoza, C, Kaufman, SC, Brown, S & Price, JS, 2008 Transient peat properties in natural and impacted peatlands in the sub-humid western boreal plains, Canada, Mires and Peat 3(2008):Article-05. ISSN 1819-754x.
Julie Godbout, Aron Fazekas, Craig H. Newton, Francis C Yeh, and Jean Bousquet 2008. Glacial vicariance in the Pacific Northwest: Evidence from a lodgepole pine mitochondrial DNA minisatellite for multiple genetically distinct and widely separated refugia. Molecular Ecology 17(10): 2463 – 2475. Siemens AJ, Zwiazek JJ 2008. Root hydraulic properties and growth of balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) mycorrhizal with Hebeloma crustuliniforme and Wilcoxina mikolae var. mikolae. Mycorrhiza 18:393-401.
Spence, JR, DW Langor, JM Jacobs, TT Work and WJA Volney. 2008. Reducing threat to forest-dwelling arthropod Calvo Polanco M, Zwiazek JJ, Jones MD, MacKinnon MD 2008. Responses of mycorrhizal jack pine (Pinus banksispecies: simultaneous management of many small and hetana) seedlings to NaCl and boron. Trees - Structure and erogeneous risks. The Canadian Entomologist 140: 510-525. Function 22: 825-834. Bourassa, S, HA Cárcamo, FJ Larney & JR Spence. 2008. Carabid assemblages (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in irrigated Calvo Polanco M, Zwiazek JJ, Voicu. MC 2008. Responses of three-year rotations in southern Alberta, Canada: a comectomycorrhizal American elm (Ulmus americana) seedlings parison of sustainable and conventional farming. Environto salinity and soil compaction. Plant and Soil 308:189-200. mental Entomology 37: 214-223. Lee SH, Zwiazek JJ & Chung. GC 2008. Light alters cell water Esch, E, JJ Jacobs, C Bergeron & JR Spence. 2008. Correcting relations in figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia) seedlings exfor detection biases in the pitfall trapping of ground beetles posed to low temperature. Physiologia Plantarum 133:354(Coleopetera: Carabidae). In L. Penev, T. Erwin & T. Ass362. mann (Eds), Back to the Roots or Back to the Future? Towards a Voicu M, Zwiazek JJ & Tyree MT 2008. Light responses of New Synthesis between Taxonomic, Ecological and Biogeographihydraulic conductance in bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) cal Approaches in Carabidology, Proceedings of the 13th Euroleaves. Tree Physiology 28:1007-1015. pean Carabidologists Meeting, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, 20-24 August 2007, pp 385-395. Campbell DB, Bulmer CE, Jones MD, Philip LJ, Zwiazek JJ 2008. Incorporation of topsoil and burn-pile debris subJacobs, JJ, TT Work & JR Spence. 2008. Correcting for detecstantially increases early growth of lodgepole pine on landtion biases in the pitfall trapping of ground beetles ings. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 38:257-267. (Coleopetera: Carabidae). In L. Penev, T. Erwin & T. Assmann (Eds), Back to the Roots or Back to the Future? Towards a Yi H, Calvo Polanco M, MacKinnon MD & Zwiazek JJ 2008. New Synthesis between Taxonomic, Ecological and BiogeographiResponses of ectomycorrhizal Populus tremuloides and cal Approaches in Carabidology, Proceedings of the 13th EuroBetula papyrifera seedlings to salinity. Environmental and pean Carabidologists Meeting, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, 20-24 Experimental Botany 62:357-363. August 2007, pp 425-450. Langor, DW, HEJ Hammond, JR Spence, JM Jacobs & TP Cobb. 2008. Saproxylic beetle assemblages in Canadian forests: diversity, ecology and conservation. The Canadian Entomologist 140:453-474. Phillips, ID, TP Cobb & JR Spence. 2008 Salvage logging and edge effects on pill beetle abundance (Coleoptera: Byrrhidae). Coleopterists Bulletin 62:324-327. Pinzon, J & JR Spence. 2008. Performance of two arboreal pitfall trap designs as devices for collecting cursorial spiders from tree trunks. Journal of Arachnology 36: 280-286. Work, TT, M Koivula, J Klimaszewski, DW Langor, JR Spence, J Sweeney & C Hebert. 2008. An initial evaluation of carabid beetles as indicators of forest change in Canada using 10 large-scale forest experiments. The Canadian Entomologist 140: 393-414. Langor, DW & JR Spence (Editors). 2008. Maintaining Arthropods in Northern Forest Ecosystems: Symposium ProceedLandmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 9
Minister of the Environment tours Renewable Resources ESB facilities
Landmark Laurels.......
Kerri Lappin Who is this lady Kerri Lappin? Is she just a lady who is giving Mother Nature a run for her money? The answer is No! Kerri is more than that. Kerri Lappin is a master's student in the U of A's Department of Renewable Resources, working under the supervision of Dr. Lee Foote. She is married to Michael and is blessed with two wonderful children, Jack and big Sammy. She is not just a good mother to her kids; she is also an excellent student who has received NSERC support and numerous competitive wards. For her master’s thesis, she is building a model to reclaim mined land above and beyond its original farmland conditions. She is also a wonderful friend. We have benefited greatly from Kerri’s talent in many ways. Her lab mates describe her as a warm and friendly person who is the soul of helpfulness. She assists with presentations and map work. She makes everyone feel at home. Her level-headed perspective and enthusiasm makes her a great co-worker and comrade. Kerri is one of the strongest supporters of every department social event. On a personal note, I have benefited greatly from her friendship. Kerri is someone who has always been there for me. She has given me a shoulder to cry on and has helped me to through a stormy sea. For this and many other reasons, I will forever be grateful!
As part of the tour of NRAL in late February, Rob Renner, GOA Minister of the Environment stopped into the forest soil lab and the soil biogeochemistry lab in the Earth Science Building (pictured) to discuss research related to his department’s mandates on air, water, and land reclamation. With Dr. Quideau off-campus pursuing international research projects during her sabbatical year, PDF Dr. Derek MacKenzie described the operations of the soil biogeochemistry labs and their involvement with land reclamation in the Athabasca oil sands region. The Minister was interested to learn that the lab is examining soil organic matter quality indices which started a conversation on whether these indices might lead to benchmarks for certification in the future. It was an enjoyable and informative experience for everyone involved. Submitted by D MacKenzie
Thank-you Kerri for all your kindness and support—you will always be in my heart.
Submitted by Patrick Asante (fall ‘08 Laureate)
Matthew Swallow, Donna Friesen, Preston Sorenson, Irma Diaz, Jennifer Lloyd, Minister Rob Renner, Derek MacKenzie
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 10
Alumni Profile
Pat Guidera, BSc ‘92, Forestry Sustainable Resource Development Government of Alberta Executive Director, Forest Division, Forest Economics Branch, Forest Business and Bio-economy Initiatives Section It is our pleasure to profile Alumnus, Pat Guidera in our Spring 2009 issue of Landmark. Patrick's working career began in 1975 with the Alberta Forest Service as a Timber Management Technician cruising timber in Alberta's North. Working positions he has held include Junior Forest Ranger Supervisor, Tower Man, Forest Guardian, District Forest Officer, Silviculture Technician, Land-Use Officer, Forestry Consultant, Teaching Assistant at the University of Alberta, Forest Management Instructor at the Hinton Environmental Training Centre, Regional Executive Director in the Southern East Slopes Region located at Rocky Mountain House and Executive Director with the Department of Agriculture managing the Rural Development Strategy. Patrick now leads the bio-economy initiatives for the Department of Sustainable Resource Development. Patrick’s recent role as Forest Business and Bio-economy Initiatives Director focuses on the development and support of the forest industry regarding bio-economy opportunities. Patrick holds responsibility for sustainable development of forest business throughout Alberta and ensures returns to citizens is maximized. Direct value-added and commercialization programs for bio-energy, forest products, and refinery activities undertaken by forest industry are overseen by his Section. Interacting with cross Departmental teams, Patrick ensures collaborative response to the forest community, industry policy direction and programs. He oversees bio-economy business with regards to Energy’s grant program, governance, and planning. Spearhead product development, as well as harvest and manufacturing innovation research through FP Innovation Alliance agreement and FERIC extension services. Patrick has a Forest Technologists Diploma from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (1979), Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Alberta (1992), and a Diploma of Advanced Silviculture from the University of British Columbia (1997). He is a Registered Professional Forester (1993) and a Director with the College of Alberta Professional Foresters. Patrick acts as key advisor to the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers on the “Social and Economic Sustainability Working Group.” As well, Patrick is on the Resource Industry Suppliers Association as a Director. Patrick resides in Edmonton, Alberta with his wife Michelle and handsome cat Buddy. His main source of fun is as a member of the Cabin Fever Bluegrass Band, famous among seniors.
Forest Industry Lecture Series Werner Kurz PhD, Senior Research Scientist Global Change and Landscape Ecology, Canadian Forest Service, Victoria BC Thursday, November 5, 2009 Myer Horowitz Theatre—3 p.m.
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 11
Graduate Student News
Upcoming Defenses Adriana Almeida-Rodriguez - (Zwiazek)
Welcome!
April 3, 8 a.m. ESB 2-36
New students for Winter 09
Title: Aquaporins in poplars: characterization, tissue transcript expression and drought stress
Kurt Frederick - MSc - Foote
Cosmin Filipescu - (Comeau)
Derek Sattler- PhD - Comeau
April 9, 9 a.m. ESB 2-36
James Glasier-MSc - Neilsen/Acorn
Title: Dynamics of competition in boreal mixedwood stands
Charlotte Norris- PhD - Quideau
Matthew Pyper - (Spence)
Erica Graham- MSc - Macdonald
April 15, 1 p.m. GSB 802
Amanuel Weldeyohannes- PhD - Kachanoski
Title: TBA
Graduate Awards Congratulations to all students who received the following awards and scholarships Name
Date
Award
Robyn Brown
Oct-08
Kazi Hossain
Oct-08
Donald A Shaw Memorial Graduate Scholarship & CLRA Post-Graduate Academic Merit Award Max MacLaggan Scholarship
Kim Ives
Aug-08
Walter H Johns Graduate Fellowship
Kevin Solarik
Nov-08
Desmond I Crossley Memorial Scholarship CLRA Undergraduate Academic Merit Award & CSSS Book Award
Candace Nemirsky Mallory Jackson
Alberta Soil Science Workshop Student Poster Award & Minister of Advanced Technology and Education Graduate Student Scholarship
Michael Mbogga
ESRI (GIS and Mapping Software) Canada Student Scholarship
Stefan Schreiber
Nov-08
Herbert and Jeannette Hall Graduate Scholarship
Damian Cirelli
Nov-08
Dr. Ian G W Corns Memorial Graduate Scholarship
Peggy Desserud
Nov-08
NSERC Industrial Post-graduate Scholarship (IPS)
Alana Clason
Nov-08
NSERC IPS
Craig Neufelt
Jan-09
Janet Scott
Feb-09
Worley Parsons Infrastructure and Environment Graduate Scholarship in Soil Science & Komex International Ltd Graduate Scholarship in Soil Science JB McQuitty Graduate Scholarship
Steve Hart
Profiling Alberta's Graduate Students Award & ECO Canada Student Ambassador Award NSERC Post-Graduate Scholarship—Doctoral (PGSD)
Erica Graham
NSERC PGSD
Brenda Shaughnessy
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 12
Presentations Jessica Snedden and Uldis Silins attended the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco Dec. 15-19, 2008. Jessica presented her 1st season’s field results from her M.Sc. research in a presentation titled: Snedden, J., Silins, U., and Landhausser, S.M., 2008, Spatial root distribution and clonal connectivity in trembling aspen along a hillslope catena; Implications for above and below ground water regulation. This was a very large conference with over 30,000 attendees and over 15,000 papers presented. After the conference, Jessica’s presentation was selected as the “Outstanding Student Paper Award” by the Hydrology Section of the American Geophysical Union. … Congratulations Jessica! Post-script: Uldis presented a couple of papers … I guess they were just OK (he didn’t win any awards).
Congratulations on successful defenses...... Spring Convocants: Lee Anderson (MSc)—Schmiegelow / Spence Ting Chen (MSc)—He Lynette Dagenais (MSc)–Foote Mae Elsinger (MSc)—Naeth Ingrid Hallin (MSc)—Naeth / Chanasyk Alison Lennie (MSc)—Lieffers / Landhausser Jaime Lypowy (MSc)– Macdonald Eckehart Marenholtz—Lieffers
Lee Foote’s graduate students Kerri Lappin, Shari Clare, Marie Claude Roy and Andrea McGregor presented their work at the North American Lakes Management Society meetings in Lake Louise in November 2008.
Jonathon Martin-DeMoor (MSc)—Macdonald / Lieffers Isablelle Turcott (MSc)—Quideau / Macdonald Mihaela Voicu (PhD)—Zwiazek
Graduate students Yang Lin (Scott Chang) and Kevin Renkema (Vic Lieffers) received the 1st and 2nd place best student oral presentation awards and Mallory Jackson (Anne Naeth) received the best student poster presentation award at the Alberta Soil Science Workshop (ASSW) .
8th Annual Canadian Geophysical Union Prairie Student Conference The forest hydrology lab group (Uldis Silins) attended the 8th annual Canadian Geophysical Union Prairie Student Hydrology meeting at University of Lethbridge on Jan 30, 2009 along with students/faculty from the U of Lethbridge, U of Calgary, U Sask, U of Alberta, and the National Water Research Institute. Members of the Ren. R. Forest Hydrology Lab presented three talks including: • “Vertical and horizontal distribution of mature clonal aspen roots along a hillslope catena” presented by Jessica Snedden (M.Sc. student) • “Trials, tribulations, and pitfalls of rainfall interception measurements in a severely burned subalpine forest” presented by Chris Williams (SRWP field/lab supervisor) • “Hydrological classification of Alberta’s forested regions” presented by Mike Wagner (M.Sc. student). Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 13
Meet our Graduate Students PhD Candidate ...............Michael Mbogga Michael is currently completing his PhD under the supervision of Drs. Andreas Hamann and Francis Yeh. His PhD research focuses on developing adaptation strategies for reforestation within the parameters of an uncertain western Canadian climate in the future. This work involves time consuming development of spatial climate datasets for Western Canada and modeling climate impact on forest ecosystems. He currently oversees research on the effect of logging on primates in the forest. Michael grew up in a small town just outside Uganda‘s capital, Kampala, on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa. After his B Sc and M Sc in Forestry from Makerere University in Uganda, he worked as a research assistant. He later lived and worked as the director of Budongo Conservation Field Station in the jungles of Budongo, Uganda’s largest forest reserve, a place he would go back to given the chance. Michael has also worked as an associate scientist on forest genetic resources with Bioversity International at the Rome headquarters, a job that allowed him to travel extensively. He spent the Michael with his daughters Visit to Weyerhaeuser FMA last one and half years of this assignment working at the regional office for Sub-Saharan Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. Michael has a passion for languages. He is fluent in Lugandan plus several other Ugandan languages and can get around in French, Italian, and Swahili. He loves reading and the outdoors (minus the cold). Most of the little free time he has is spent spoiling his three girls - Talisha, Kayla and Serena. Michael started his PhD studies in 2006 and expects to complete ths degree in 2009. His plans are to return to Uganda and take up a position with the Makerere University’s Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation.
Alberta Conservation Association Grant Recipients Named The ACA Grants in Biodiversity program is pleased to announce that Renewable Resources students Varina Crisfield (supervisor E. Macdonald) and Evan Esch (supervisor J. Spence) are among this year's grant winners. Varina's project "The impact of recreational activity on the alpine vegetation of the Canadian Rockies", and Evan's project "Arthropod diversity, mountain pine beetle, and white pine blister rust in whitebark pine" exemplify the Grant program's goal to facilitate research that will ultimately conserve, protect, and enhance, Alberta's fish, wildlife and natural habitats. With this year’s awards, the ACA Grants in Biodiversity has now awarded over $3.2 million dollars to 318 researchers in its 15 year history. Congratulations Varina and Evan! Submitted by Tracy Stewart Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 14
Kevin Renkema
..........MSc Candidate
Kevin, a native of Chatham, Ontario, is working on his MSc, under the supervision of Vic Lieffers and Simon Landhausser. While completing his BSc in Biology at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, Kevin became interested in forest ecology after a one month field trip to Washington State. Kevin’s research focuses on looking at how harvesting disturbance affects the regeneration of aspen by suckering. Specifically, he is looking at how log deck storage (the piling of logs in a cut-block and leaving them there for periods of a year to allow them to dry) affects aspen suckering once the log deck is removed. He has completed a field study and continues with an ongoing greenhouse study to examine the log deck impact on suckering. The results of these practical studies could be beneficial in lessening the impact of forestry on the Boreal forest. Our grad students are so enthusiastic about their research that after Kevin married in Ontario last summer, he rushed back to Alberta to begin his field work. He spent several weeks during the hottest parts of August in Lac La Biche attempting to access cut-blocks where the roads had been reclaimed. He and his assistants spent a lot of time slowly driving down through the brush on quads and taking measurements in the searing heat.
His plumbing skills were honed in his greenhouse study, as he has spent a lot of time setting up and maintaining a large water bath system, necessary to mimic the effects of cold soils under the log deck storage. This study has also allowed for lots of play in the mud as he washed out 100 sets of aspen root systems. With his data collection complete, he is now ready to begin writing his thesis.
Logger Sports U of A Quad Friday, April 3 11—2 pm Presented by the Forest Society of the U of A
Demonstrations Recruitment & Information Booth Barbeque Increasing campus awareness of forestry and its importance in Alberta
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 15
Brenda Shaughnessy
..........MSc Candidate
Brenda was born in the Lower Mainland of BC. In 1988, her parents packed up all their belongings, Brenda and her brother, their two cats, two dogs, and two newly acquired goats, and moved to Tatlayoko Lake, BC, on the Chilcotin plateau on the edge of the Coast Mountains half way between Bella Coola and Williams Lake. Shortly after settling in, her parents purchased two old “been around the block” horses that taught Brenda patience, respect, the principles of animal care, and how to ride. That was the beginning of a life-long addiction to horses. Brenda spent her childhood riding and exploring the wilderness of the Niut and Potato mountains that surround her house. She learned about wilderness survival, hunting, fishing, tracking, raising and caring for farm animals, and the wonders of the natural world. Not realizing it at the time, her early introduction to nature put her on the path that led her to where she is today. Brenda completed her BSc degree (‘07)at the University of Alberta with a double major in Wildlife and Rangeland Resource Management and Land Reclamation. She immediately jumped into an MSc degree with Dr. Anne Naeth. The main objective of Brenda’s research is to determine if natural recovery is a viable option for large scale reclamation in the oil sands. She has completed two field seasons of data collection on the Suncor Energy mine north of Fort McMurray, and is currently in the final throes of full contact “thesisizing”. During her time spent doing field work, Brenda assessed three sites on the Suncor Energy mine north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, for natural recovery of Boreal mixedwood vegetation after a severe disturbance. The study sites range in age from 26 to 36 years old, and are located on a clean, admixed mineral and organic substrate several meters deep. Happily, forest vegetation has established on the study sites without human influence or interference, therefore natural recovery has occurred. Brenda feels that finding an alternative to traditional methods of oil sands reclamation is an important and timely subject because of the scale of reclamation that will be required in the near future. Current reclamation methods in the oil sands require significant financial and physical resources. Natural recovery could significantly reduce the amount of resources required, increase the success of vegetation establishment, enhance species diversity, and propel the plant community along a trajectory towards reclamation success. Ultimately, natural recovery may be the most practical and economical option for oil sands reclamation and may provide greater species diversity than conventional revegetation methods. Brenda has been involved in several extra curricular volunteer activities, including as a bus leader for the Edmonton Snow Goose Chase and as a Wandering Scholar for the Festival of Teaching. When not thesisizing, she likes to spend her free time with her dog, Cache, her boyfriend, Bryce, and a small herd of endurance horses that she trains, conditions, and competes on. During the summer, she can be found travelling around Alberta, competing in 50 and 100 mile endurance rides. After finishing her M.Sc. Brenda likely won’t know what to with all her free time! She plans to spend time with family, travel across Canada, and soak up the sun. Brenda at 2008 Canadian Nationals Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 16
Environmental Conservation Student Association (ECSA) Year End report - Dan Heinrichs, President The ECSA strives to create a broader presence on campus, organize fun networking opportunities, and produce a more organized and focused student association that is prepared, motivated and a vehicle for applied learning. This year the Executive committee pulled together as a team to create and complete many educational, social and out of the ordinary initiatives. The year kicked off with a membership recruitment campaign through the club’s fair and Annual General Meeting. The fall BBQ helped us meet some of our recruitment goals and it was a heck of a lot of fun organizing and cooking burgers for members. It was an opportunity to get to know the executive, meet and mingle with friends. Various activities organized by the ESCA over the last year were: the Unmall, which brought attention to consumer choices and made the ECSA visible to the Faculty; Karsten Heuer, speaker, conservation advocate, author and filmmaker, enlightened us on recent adventures (100 students attended); ski trip to Jasper; ENCS week with a free BBQ for members and prize draw for a solar charger and gift certificates; in conjunction with CAPS and Greenpeace, held the ‘Opportunities in a Green Economy Career Forum’ (300 students attended); tour of Edmonton’s waste management facilities; and a windup social at the Starlite room where over $1500 dollars was raised for the student association. Student groups must be organized, focused, and prepared in order to successfully achieve their goals. This year a new constitution was drafted towards that purpose. The new constitution emphasizes fair and focused responsibilities for each executive member, while emphasizing community building and more effective communication with each other, the department and faculty staff and the greater university community. We have taken the steps to make sure promotional activities continue to be relevant and effective. We wish all the best to next years incoming staff, Executive and ENCS students, and we encourage everyone to get involved Submitted by D Heinrichs and take advantage of the opportunities the University of Alberta has to offer.
Annual Reclamation Poster Presentation REN R 495—Land Reclamation & Revegetation Each year Anne Naeth puts her REN R 495 student through their paces as they prepare posters for their term projects in the Land Reclamation program capstone course. This year six projects, each encompassing all aspects of land reclamation in a realistic scenario, were exhibited in the poster session held on Thursday, March 26 on the main floor (2nd level) of the Agriculture / Forestry Centre. The session is intended to provide the audience with an opportunity to see the quality of work produced by the students. It is also an opportunity for the students to benefit from questions about and a critique of their work. This year the reclamation projects involved a coal mine, a placer gold mine, a pulp mill, an airport, a feedlot and a nuclear power plant. There were extensive soil reclamation, remediation and revegetation components within each project which students were required to address using environmentally responsible technologies. The students were expected to draw on their knowledge and experience as senior students in the ENCS program and encouraged to consult with people in industry and government in completing these term projects. Creativity was encouraged, but the soluSubmitted by A Naeth tions they choose had to be technologically realistic and budget focused.
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 17
ENCS Undergraduate Students— Expedition to the Antarctic On February 12, 2009 Jolene Lust, Sally Ells, Kathie Chase, and Terina Hancock, four Environmental and Conservation Science students from the University of Alberta, journeyed to Antarctica. In Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, they began an adventure of a lifetime with other Students On Ice participants. Students On Ice is a non-profit organization dedicated to taking youth from around the world on unique learning expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. For the first time, Students On Ice has partnered with the University of Alberta, University of Ottawa and University of Northern British Columbia to provide Sally Ells, Terina Hancock, Jolene Lust at students with a ‘hands on’, university credit-based course. There were a total of 70 students from various countries that participated-15 students represented the University of Alberta. From Ushuaia, the women left the calm waters of the Beagle Channel on the night of February 16th and sailed through the dreaded Drake Passage, enduring the “Drake Shake” for two days en route to Antarctica. The Drake is known for some of the roughest water in the world with waves that range between 5 and 8 meters high. This meant two days of relentless rocking and for some, a constant feeling of seasickness. Most passengers managed to find their sea legs by the second day and were finally able to enjoy the beauty of the Southern Ocean. The women relate that it was an amazing feeling, finding themselves in the middle of an open ocean, surrounded by nothing but vibrant blue water, albatross and various sea birds accompanying the ship. The learning experience in Antarctica was never-ending. Between the lectures on board the ship or from the sensory overload of the environment, there was always something new to astound and amaze. Everyday consisted of two to three shore excursions or cruising the waters in zodiacs, taking in what can only be described as a surreal environment consisting of icebergs, glaciers, leopard seals, whales and penguins! Field stations were set up where students engaged in various field activities— collecting ice cores, snow crystals, water samples and observing animal behavior. Evenings were often spent analyzing what was collected during the day and learning what the results and measurements might indicate about changes in the environment. The students also had the opportunity to tour Vernadsky, the Ukrainian Research Station. Scientists here were responsible for the discovery of the ozone hole, which they continue to monitor today. Each day brought new and spectacular experiences—things one only sees on the Discovery Channel, such as calving glaciers, turning icebergs and penguins pecking at your camera. Everyday the girls had to give their heads a shake and ask themselves, “Am I really here?” Actually visiting Antarctica and seeing it first hand highlighted for the students what they are working towards when promoting the need for environmental change. Every day of the expedition students were challenged to define what it really means to be an environmentalist and were asked come to an understanding of what changes need to be made on a daily basis to protect the environment, no matter how small. The university expedition was a great success, providing many keen students an opportunity to visit, what the women consider to be one of the most magical place on Earth. Currently, Students On Ice and the University of Alberta are looking into the feasibility of offering another expedition to the Antarctic and possibly the Arctic in 2011. –Submitted by Jolene Lust-
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 18
In Memoriam
EULER, Sarah Alice Laura July 20, 1979 to February 19, 2009
Many folks in the Dept. of Renewable Resources struggled with the sudden and tragic loss of our friend, Sarah Euler on Feb. 19, 2009. Sarah was a former student, colleague, and a good friend to many of us. Now that a little time has passed, many of us have found some comfort in quiet reflection on the legacy of many, many good memories Sarah left with us. Sarah’s bright outgoing personality never failed to light up a room, the inside of a pickup truck, or the forest when we spent time with her there. A little wink and light side-kick to your butt as she walked past you reflected the playful sense of humor many of us will remember about Sarah. While Sarah was someone many of us enjoyed spending time with for many reasons, perhaps it was her uniquely easy-going and positive outlook on the world that was one thing that will remain with many of us. Sarah often brightened our work days in the field by humming at tune, or singing out loud (perhaps even a little dance move) as she worked without any concern as to who may be watching and what they might think about it. Wouldn’t life be just a touch bit brighter if we all did that from time to time...or maybe, did it a little more often? As with many of you, I think it was that carefree, outgoing sprit that will always remain at the top of the list of my personal memories of Sarah. While she is sorely missed by our hydrology lab group, our Southern Watershed team (both here & at a few other universities) and many of you in the department and faculty, perhaps the easy comfort of Sarah’s carefree sprit is something we can keep.
Good memories of our friend and colleague, Sarah Euler
submitted by Uldis Silins & the Silins lab group
Late in the evening on February 19, 29 year old Sarah Euler was killed by a drunk driver in a motor vehicle accident just outside of Morinville. Sarah was a graduate of our ENCS program (BSc ‘08) and was to begin her Master’s degree in the fall under the supervision of Uldis Silins. At the time of her death, Sarah was a member of Uldis’s research group. Sarah is survived by her parents, Daniel and Delores Euler, brother Seth Euler and by many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends. Donations in Sarah's memory can be made to MADD (Mother's Against Drunk Driving).
ROSEMARY KATE LOCKY Born February 4, 2009 8 lbs 6 oz. Congratulations to Sarah Wilkinson, and her hus‐ band David Locky, Director of the Athabasca River Basin Research Institute at Athabasca University, on the birth of their daughter Rosemary!
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 19
ENCS Graduation Activities 2009 Grad Reps—Laura Neden and Ian Levitt The ENCS Grad Banquet took place on Saturday, March 14th 2009 at The Palace, in conjunction with the Agriculture graduation dinner and dance. Our 2009 ENCS Spring Graduates elected Dr. Peter Boxall, Professor & Acting Chair, Rural Economy, as guest speaker and awarded Dr. Emmanuel Mapfumo the honor of Teacher of the Year. Dr. Mapfumo has been serving as a Contract Sessional instructor with the Department of Renewable Resources since last September. This year we have a spring graduating class of 82 ENCS Students—29 graduates in Conservation Biology (1 from the Bilingual program), 3 graduates in Human Dimensions, 3 graduates in Native Studies, 43 graduates in Land Reclamation (1 from the Bilingual program), and 4 graduates in Wildlife and Range Management. Congratulations to all ENCS students convocating at the June 2009 ceremonies.
Convocation Ceremonies Spring 2009 Undergraduate Convocation— Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 10 a.m. Graduate Convocation—FGSR— PhD—Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 3 p.m. MSc—Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Forestry / Forest Business Management Graduation—March 28, 2009 The Department of Renewable Resources Forestry and Forest Business Management Graduates held their banquet and award ceremonies Saturday, March 28 at the Faculty Club. Thirteen (13) members of the two programs were honored by family and friends, as well as Faculty members, at their annual celebration. The Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) Silver Rings were presented by Mark Kube, Chair and Anand Pandarinath, Director (2008-09), Rocky Mountain Section. Masters of Ceremonies, Darrick Brochu and Amanda Horning, did a great job of entertaining grads and guests. Guest speaker for the evening was Professor Marty Luckert. Grad Coordinator, Fern Ferster receiv- Valedictorian Kirk Hawthorn ing her CIF Silver Ring from Mark was also announced as the Kube (left) and Anand Pandarinath, nominee for the CIF Gold representing CIF Rocky Mountain Medal award. The CIF Gold Section. Medal is awarded to a graduating Forestry / Forest Business Management student who displays outstanding scholarship, sportsmanship and citizenship throughout the years of the program. This medal will be officially awarded at the end of term. Congratulations to the class of 2009!
Gold Medal Nominee, Kirk Hawthorn and John Spence
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 20
New Support Staff in Renewable Resources Allan Harms—Allan is now the Analytical Service Laboratories Coordinator for the Natural Resources Analytical Laboratories (NRAL) in the Earth Sciences Building. With a decade of experience in our departmental service labs, Allan has a solid understanding of our highend equipment, demonstrated capabilities in lab management, a firm understanding of the needs of our departmental personnel, and a track record of positive relationships with students, staff and clients. Allan began his career at the U of A working with Anne Neath's group doing field work and lab analyses for graduate student, Kelly Ostermann. He was then assigned to Clive Figeurado in ESB, where he learned how to use the mass spec and perform elemental analyses. Allan temporarily took over the management of the lab when Clive retired. To complement his degree in graphic design, Allan has been taking open studies courses at the U of A in his free time. Allan also completed his first marathon in Victoria this year. We’re pleased that this important position was filled by one of our experienced staff within the NRAL unit.
Ian Paine—Welcome to new support staff member—Ian Paine. Ian took over the Desktop Support Analyst position from Wolf Liu-Maynes in late November 2008 and fills out the IT staff component of Mike Abley and Nash Goodnewardena. Ian provides troubleshooting and desktop support, builds and installs new systems, and coordinates inventory procedures for both new and retiring computer equipment. He implements improvements and maintains Renewable Resources’ two graduate computing labs, and works with research labs to improve computer services.
A Familiar Face in the Department of Renewable Resources takes on a new role Ingid Hallin (MSc ’08) has assumed the duties of Research Assistant for Anne Naeth while Sarah Wilkinson is on maternity leave.
Ian also provides instruction and assistance with projection systems and technical support for guest lecturers. Along with his departmental duties, he has additional duties in supporting Faculty technology initiatives including assistance to the Faculty Information Technology Coordinator with computer support for the ALES Faculty Office and providing supplementary support to other Faculty Departments.
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 21
Pretty in Pink—St. Valentine’s Day Massacure Thanks to generous donations from many people on and off campus, Donna Thompson, our tireless Human Resources Administrator, raised $1705 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and Make-A-Wish —Northern Alberta when she shaved her head in mid February. The St. Valentine’s Hair ‘Massacure’ was started in 2003 because of a little girl named Kali, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2000 at the age of 2. During her treatments, she lost her hair three times. She and her family were devastated by the effect of the hair loss on Kali’s self-esteem and the Hair Massacure was started as a way to allow others to experience one major side effect of cancer treatment through chemotherapy – hair loss. Donna began her adventure by dying her hair “Kali-pink” for a week—then, in a sea of pink heads at West Edmonton Mall on February 12, she and hundreds of other people had their locks shorn. Last year 1300 people shaved their heads and over half of them were kids! Kali’s older sister Kyrsti once said, “It’s no longer about cancer killing kids; it’s about kids killing cancer”. Thankfully Kali is still alive and still in remission. Donna thanks everyone for the great support she received and is grateful to work in such a wonderful department!!
Excellence in the discovery, dissemination and application of knowledge about natural and managed ecosystems
We’re on the Web! www.ales.ualberta.ca/rr/
Department of Renewable Resources University of Alberta 751 General Services Building Edmonton, AB T6G 2H1
Phone: 780-492-3554 Fax: 780-492-4323 Email: rochelle.jackson@ales.ualberta.ca
This newsletter is published & distributed semi-annually . For copies and/or contributions, please contact the Editor, Rochelle Jackson at rochelle.jackson@ales.ualberta.ca; phone 780-492--3554. Submissions for the next issue of Landmark should be sent in by Sept 28, 2009
Landmark News, Volume 16 Issue 1—Page 22
Donna with Rick P