Decoding the secret lives of killer whales one micro-second at a time
Using methods to detect when the animals are catching prey and to model their energy expenditure will be key to understanding the differences between these neighbouring whale populations.
Enhanced statistical models will aid conservation of killer whales and other species
The whale used to develop the model preferred to save energy by gliding through the water when making deep dives, and when it was closer to the surface, it moved more actively, accelerating faster and ‘fluking’ its tail more often.
Ecologists and mental health researchers unite to improve patient care, save wild animals using Fitbit-like devices
Narwhals, sharks, and polar bears can help medical professionals improve care for patients with mental health struggles – and patients with conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder can offer insights that will help the conservation of many wild animals.
PROFILE: Using mathematical ingenuity to solve ecological puzzles
“Ecology has a lot of difficult data to handle, and a big part of my research is developing new statistical methods to tackle these problems,” says Dr. Marie Auger-Méthé.
Surprising insights into the migration pattern of world’s farthest-migrating species
The Arctic tern—which has the world record for the longest annual migration—uses just a few select routes, a key finding that could help efforts to conserve the species
Partnership between researchers and whale-watch operators makes for big whale behaviour insights
Based on their findings, the researchers recommended that whale-watchers keep some distance from foraging areas to avoid disturbing the whales while they eat.
Dr. Sumaila and Dr. Auger-Méthé named as Canada Research Chairs
Dr. U. Rashid Sumaila named CRC Tier I in Interdisciplinary Ocean and Fisheries Economics, and Dr. Marie Auger-Méthé named CRC Tier II in Statistical Ecology.
In the Arctic, little protection for the most important conservation areas
The researchers found that areas crucial for Arctic marine predators are largely left unprotected.
As penguins dive, their location data takes flight
Data sent from penguins to space and back to UBC could help researchers determine why the species’ breeding population fluctuates so dramatically.
Welcome to Marie Auger-Méthé
Dr. Marie Auger-Méthé joins IOF as an Assistant Professor, with a cross-appointment in UBC’s Department of Statistics. She will also hold a Canada Research Chair, Tier II in Statistical Ecology.