Sophie Calmé

Professor,
Université de Sherbrooke

Département de Biologie
E-mail: Sophie.Calme@USherbrooke.ca
Institution page




Education

M.Sc., Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille (1989)
M.Sc., Université Laval (1991)
Ph.D., Université Laval (1998)


Research

My research lies at the intersection of ecological and social (historical, cultural, political) research, using landscape as the stage on which social and ecological interactions take place. I work mainly in tropical landscapes, which are extremely dynamic in space and time, and under the strong influence of rural populations practising shifting cultivation, extensive livestock farming and the extraction of forest resources to secure their subsistence. Interactions between wild animals and humans, or their activities, are therefore numerous and have negative impacts on both humans and wild animals. My research therefore aims to improve the coexistence of humans and wild animals, especially jaguars that prey on livestock. Wild animals also have to cope with seasonal variations in the availability of many resources, as well as dynamic landscapes, whether caused by natural processes such as hurricanes, or human-induced processes such as agriculture. Important mechanisms for maintaining populations, such as dispersal, are now under threat, as is access to key natural resources such as watering holes, feeding and nesting sites. I aim to understand the relationships between wild animals and landscape features in order to predict their vulnerability to changes in these landscapes.

QCBS students

Aymeric Oliveira-Xavier

Ph.D.
(Start: 2018)
Other QCBS (co-)supervisor: Dominique Gravel
Landscape influence on community composition and structure in cocoa agroforests

Magalie Wzietek

M.Sc.
Other (co-)supervisor: Birgit Schmook, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur
(Start: 2025)
Environmental correlates of roost sites of the King Vulture: a spatial and temporal approach

Previous students (since 2009)

Edmundo HUERTA-PATRICIO

Ph.D.
Other (co-)supervisor: Alejandra Martínez Salinas, CAITE Costa Rica
(Start: 2018, End: 2021)
The Role of Cacao Agroecosystems in Maintaining Bird Diversity and Ecosystem Services.

Marie-Lou Lecuyer

Ph.D.
Other (co-)supervisor: Rehema White, University of St Andrews
(Start: 2014, End: 2017)
Social aspects of biodiversity conflicts: the case study of human-jaguar co-existence in Calakmul, Mexico

Francisco Neira Brito

Ph.D.
(Start: 2014, End: 2021)
Other QCBS (co-)supervisor: Ismael Vaccaro
Biodiversity values expressed through socio-ecological interactions between settler and indigenous Shuar communities in the southern Amazon region of Ecuador.
Personal page

Louis-Philippe Chrétien

NA
(Start: 2011, End: 2011)
King Vulture's use of water at roosting sites

Céline Emberger

NA
(Start: 2008, End: 2009)
Ecological and social significance of Manilkara zapota

Paola Gomez Garcia

NA
(Start: 2013, End: 2013)
Evaluation of the impacts of community arrangements to control hunting in the rural community Nuevo Becal, Campeche, Mexico
Personal page

María Manzón Che

NA
(Start: 2006, End: 2010)
Relationship between hunting patterns and productive activities in rural communities of the Southern Yucatan

Miguel Xijún Kantun

NA
(Start: 2006, End: 2009)
Wildlife extraction by Mayan communities and mixed communities in the Mesoamerican Corridor

Halia Euridice Zúniga Fuentes

NA
(Start: 2008, End: 2009)
Distribution and local ecological knowledge of the Centroamerican tapir in the state of Campeche

Marie-Eve André

M.Sc.
(Start: 2009, End: 2013)
Direct and indirect effects of landscape structure on the foraging behavior of the King Vulture

Mélanie Brisson Léveillé

M.Sc.
Other (co-)supervisor: François Rousseu
(Start: 2017, End: 2019)
Caracterisation of the Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) bacterial infection to a sympatric populations of guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and sheep in the Magallanes region, Chili.

Natalia Carrillo Reyna

M.Sc.
Other (co-)supervisor: Rafael Reyna Hurtado
(Start: 2011, End: 2013)
Abundance, habitat selection and potential distribution of the Baird's tapir in the Yucatan Peninsula: a study at local and regional scales

María de la Luz Hernández Díaz

M.Sc.
(Start: 2008, End: 2010)
Habitat use by carnivores in a gradient of perturbation to the tropical forest after hurricane Dean

Michael Deetjens

M.Sc.
(Start: 2009, End: 2011)
Ethnophytological knowledge of Mayan migrants in Calakmul

Laura Dénommée Patry

M.Sc.
(Start: 2009, End: 2011)
Coastal fisheries and climate change

Kattia Escobar

M.Sc.
(Start: 2008, End: 2012)
Current spread of subsistence hunting in the world

Mathieu Léger-Dalcourt

M.Sc.
(Start: 2013, End: 2016)
Impact of logging on the feeding ecology of howler and spider monkeys

Cédric Lemarchand

M.Sc.
(Start: 2009, End: 2010)
Impact of cattle ranching on prey availability for king vulture

Karla Nájera

M.Sc.
(Start: 2008, End: 2010)
Trade-offs in the response to heterospecific calls related to reproductive and social status in the coatimundi

Sabrina Plante

M.Sc.
(Start: 2008, End: 2012)
La stratégie spatiale et temporelle de recherche alimentaire des singes hurleurs du Guatemala (Alouatta pigra)

Sébastien Rémillard

M.Sc.
(Start: 2009, End: 2011)
Local perceptions and conflicts with carnivores in Argentina

Blanca Roldán Clarà

M.Sc.
(Start: 2007, End: 2009)
Abundance and reproductive success of Menaloptila glabrirostris as related to anthropogenic influence in Sian Ka

Laurent Samson

M.Sc.
(Start: 2008, End: 2011)
Birds as indicators of forest health in Guatemala highlands

Maxime Saunier

M.Sc.
(Start: 2009, End: 2012)
Potential of REDD+ for indigenous forest management

Maëlle Tripon

M.Sc.
Other (co-)supervisor: Dorothée Boccanfuso, Université de Sherbrooke
(Start: 2018, End: 2020)
Evaluation of ecological and economic resilience of agroforestry cocoa production

Examples of species studied

Melanoptila glabrirostris
Tayassu pecari
Coragyps atratus
Centruroides
Turdus grayi
Crocodylus acutus
Crocodylus moreletii
Manilkara zapota
Brachypelma vagans
Mygalomorphae
Theraphosidae
Bartramia longicauda
Ateles geoffroyi
Tapirus bairdii


Publications

68- Enhancing natural habitats conservation success on private lands by understanding and addressing deficiencies in social capital
Journal Article
Tanguay L , Bissonnette J , Calmé S , Koutouki K , Turgeon K ,
2025 Land Use Policy (Date Added: 2025-07-21)

67- Avoiding an anticipated social-ecological trap in biodiversity conservation on private lands in Quebec province, Canada
Journal Article
Tanguay L , Bissonnette J , Calmé S , Koutouki K , Turgeon K ,
2025 Environmental Science and Policy (Date Added: 2025-05-17)

66- A land without veterinarians: animal health practices among smallholders in the Selva Maya
Journal Article
Pérez-Flores J , Calmé S , Schmook B , Oliva M , Lecuyer L , Cervantes A , Giordano A J ,
2025 Tropical Animal Health and Production (Date Added: 2025-05-17)

65- The land-blending strategy: Contribution of metapopulation theory to the land sparing-sharing debate
Journal Article
Oliveira-Xavier A , Calmé S , Gravel D ,
2025 Land Use Policy (Date Added: 2025-05-10)

64- New Insight into the Demography History, Evolution, and Phylogeography of Horseshoe Crabs with Special Emphasis on American Species
Journal Article
García-Enríquez J M , Machkour-M’Rabet S , Hénaut Y , Calmé S , Lesher-Gordillo J M ,
2025 Diversity (Date Added: 2025-05-10)

63- Drifting Past Policy Coherence? Rhetoric and Realities of the Mexican Sembrando Vida Program’s Sustainability Goals
Journal Article
Mardero S , Schmook B , Calmé S , Casanova G , White R M ,
2025 Land (Date Added: 2025-03-07)

62- Uncertainty and perceived cause-effect help explain differences in adaptation responses between Swidden agriculture and agroforestry smallholders
Journal Article
Moure M , Smith-Hall C , Schmook B , Calmé S , Jacobsen J B ,
2024 Environmental Science and Policy (Date Added: 2024-06-29)

61- Public Policies Shaping Mexican Small Farmer Practices and Environmental Conservation: The Impacts of 28 Years of PROCAMPO (1994–2022) in the Yucatán Peninsula
Journal Article
Ramírez L , Schmook B , Mier y Terán Giménez Cacho M , Calmé S , Mendez-Medina C ,
2023 Land (Date Added: 2024-01-05)

60- Traditional knowledge for climate change adaptation in Mesoamerica: A systematic review
Journal Article
Mardero S , Schmook B , Calmé S , White R M , Joo Chang J C , Casanova G , Castelar J ,
2023 Social Sciences and Humanities Open (Date Added: 2023-04-19)

59- Remote participatory research has logistical benefits, but presents scientific and ethical challenges
Journal Note
Fouqueray T , Lévesque A , Turgeon K , Bissonnette J , Calmé S , Dupras J ,
2023 Environmental Research Letters (Date Added: 2023-02-10)

58- Facilitating biodiversity conservation through partnerships to achieve transformative outcomes
Journal Article
White R M , Schmook B , Calmé S , Giordano A J , Hausser Y , Kimmel L , Lecuyer L , Lucherini M , Méndez‐Medina C , Peña‐Mondragón J L ,
2022 Conservation Biology (Date Added: 2023-03-26)

57- Conservation conflict hotspots: Mapping impacts, risk perception and tolerance for sustainable conservation management
Journal Article
Lecuyer L , Calmé S , Schmook B , White R M ,
2022 Frontiers in Conservation Science (Date Added: 2023-03-26)

56- Jaguar’s Predation and Human Shield, a Tapir Story
Journal Article
Pérez-Flores J , Hénaut Y , Sanvicente M , Pablo-Rodríguez N , Calmé S ,
2022 Diversity (Date Added: 2023-01-03)

55- Intervention levers for increasing social acceptance of conservation measures on private land: A systematic literature review and comprehensive typology
Journal Article
Tanguay L , Bissonnette J , Turgeon K , Calmé S ,
2021 Environmental Research Letters (Date Added: 2021-07-31)

54- Assessment of the American Flamingo distribution, trends, and important breeding areas
Journal Article
Torres-Cristiani L , Machkour-M’Rabet S , Calmé S , Weissenberger H , Escalona-Segura G ,
2020 PLoS ONE (Date Added: 2021-01-14)

53- Using local actors’ perceptions to evaluate a conservation tool: the case of the Mexican compensation scheme for predation in Calakmul
Journal Article
Marshall H , Lecuyer L , Calmé S ,
2020 Human Dimensions of Wildlife (Date Added: 2020-12-22)

52- Environmental Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Unhealthy Tapirs in the Southern Yucatan Peninsula
Journal Article
Pérez Flores J , Weissenberger H , López-Cen A , Calmé S ,
2020 EcoHealth (Date Added: 2020-11-07)

51- The future for ATBC conservation declarations
Journal Note
Turton S M , Lynam A , Hughes A C , Parolin P , Calmé S , Fragoso J M V , Sheherazade S , Linkie M ,
2020 Biotropica (Date Added: 2020-09-01)

50- Ecological and social determinants of association and proximity patterns in the fission–fusion society of spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)
Journal Article
Aguilar‐Melo A R , Calmé S , Pinacho‐Guendulain B , Smith‐Aguilar S E , Ramos‐Fernández G ,
2019 American Journal of Primatology (Date Added: 2019-12-22)

49- Tapir population patterns under the disappearance of freestanding water
Journal Article
Reyna-Hurtado R , Sima-Pantí D , Andrade M , Padilla A , Retana-Guiascon O , Sanchez-Pinzón K ,
2019 Therya (Date Added: 2019-11-07)

48- Factors affecting feelings of justice in biodiversity conflicts: Toward fairer jaguar management in Calakmul, Mexico
Journal Article
Lecuyer, L, Calmé, S, Blanchet, FG, Schmook, B, White, RM
2019 Biological Conservation (Date Added: 2019-07-15)

47- Fission-fusion dynamics as a temporally and spatially flexible behavioral strategy in spider monkeys
Journal Article
Aguilar-Melo A R , Calmé S , Smith-Aguilar S E , Ramos-Fernandez G ,
2018 Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology (Date Added: 2018-09-02)

46- Building on common ground to address biodiversity conflicts and foster collaboration in environmental management
Journal Article
Lecuyer L , White R M , Schmook B , Calmé S ,
2018 Journal of Environmental Management (Date Added: 2018-05-25)

45- The construction of feelings of justice in environmental management: An empirical study of multiple biodiversity conflicts in Calakmul, Mexico
Journal Article
Lou Lecuyer, RMW
2018 Journal of Environmental Management (Date Added: 2018-03-13)

44- Scoring Body Condition in Wild Bairds Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) Using Camera Traps and Opportunistic Photographic Material
Journal Article
Perez-Flores, J, Calme, S, Reyna-Hurtado, R
2016 Tropical Conservation Science (Date Added: 2016-12-20)

43- Insights into the multiannual home range of a Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) in the Maya Forest
Journal Article
Reyna-Hurtado, R, Sanvicente-López, M, Pérez-Flores, J, Carrillo-Reyna, N, Calmé, S
2016 Therya (Date Added: 2016-08-05)

41- Subsistence Hunting and Conservation
Book Chapter
Ramirez-Barajas, PJ, Calmé, S
2015 Biodiversity and Conservation of the Yucatan Peninsula (Date Added: 2016-02-23)

40- Biodiversity and Conservation of the Yucatan Peninsula
Book Whole
Islebe, GA, Calmé, S, León-Cortés, JL, Schmook, B
2015 (Date Added: 2016-02-23)

39- Introduction: Biodiversity and conservation of the yucatán peninsula, Mexico
Book Chapter
Islebe, GA, Schmook, B, Calmé, S, León-Cortés, JL
2015 Biodiversity and Conservation of the Yucatan Peninsula (Date Added: 2016-02-23)

38- Birds
Book Chapter
Calmé, S, Mackinnon-H , B, Leyequién, E, Escalona-Segura, F
2015 Biodiversity and Conservation of the Yucatan Peninsula (Date Added: 2016-02-23)

37- Sleeping Sites of Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in Logged and Unlogged Tropical Forests
Journal Article
Velázquez-Vázquez, G, Reyna-Hurtado, R, Arroyo-Rodríguez, V, Calmé, S, Léger-Dalcourt, M, Navarrete, DA
2015 International Journal of Primatology (Date Added: 2016-01-18)

36- Competing pressures on populations: long-term dynamics of food availability, food quality, disease, stress and animal abundance
Journal Article
Chapman, CA, Schoof, VAM, Bonnell, TR, Gogarten, JF, Calme, S
2015 Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences (Date Added: 2015-05-04)

35- Preferenciasde hábitat y abundancia relativa de Tayassu pecari en un área con cacería en la región de Calakmul, Campeche, México
Journal Article
Briceño-Méndez, M, Reyna-Hurtado, R, Calmé, S, García-Gil, G
2014 Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad (Date Added: 2016-07-19)

34- The potential connectivity of waterhole networks and the effectiveness of a protected area under various drought scenarios
Journal Article
O'Farrill, G, Schampaert, KG, Rayfield, B, Bodin, , Calmé, S, Sengupta, R, Gonzalez, A
2014 PLoS ONE (Date Added: 2016-04-26)

33- A cultural consensus regarding the king vulture?: Preliminary findings and their application to Mexican conservation
Journal Article
Haenn, N, Schmook, B, Reyes, YM, Calmé, S
2014 Ethnobiology and Conservation (Date Added: 2015-11-03)

32- Applying evolutionary concepts to wildlife disease ecology and management
Journal Article
Vander Wal, E, Garant, D, Calmé, S, Chapman, CA, Festa-Bianchet, M, Millien, V, Rioux-Paquette, S, Pelletier, F
2014 Evolutionary Applications (Date Added: 2014-09-11)

31- Improving Conservation Outcomes with Insights from Local Experts and Bureaucracies: Use of Hybrid Knowledge
Journal Article
Haenn, N, Schmook, B, Reyes, Y, Calmé, S
2014 Conservation Biology (Date Added: 2014-03-24)

30- Foraging strategy of a neotropical primate: how intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence destination and residence time
Journal Article
Plante, S, Colchero, F, Calmé, S
2014 Journal of Animal Ecology (Date Added: 2014-01-06)

29-Zopilotes: Los limpiadores del ambiente
Book Whole
Enriquez, P
2012 ECOSUR ( Date Added: 2016-07-19)

28-Impacts des changements climatiques sur la biodiversité du Québec : résumé de la revue de littérature
Report
Auzel, P
2012 CSBQ ( Date Added: 2016-07-05)

27- Effective dispersal of large seeds by Baird's tapir: A large-scale field experiment
Journal Article
O'Farrill, G, Calmé, S, Sengupta, R, Gonzalez, A
2012 Journal of Tropical Ecology (Date Added: 2016-04-26)

26- Nest survival in the Neotropical Black Catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris)
Journal Article
Roldán-Clarà, B, LaPergola, JB, Chapa-Vargas, L, Calmé, S
2012 Journal of Ornithology (Date Added: 2013-03-25)

25- Presencia y abundancia relativa de carnívoros en una selva dañada por el huracán Dean (2007)
Journal Article
Hernández-Díaz, M, Ramírez-Barajas, PJ, Chávez, C, Schmook, B, Calmé, S
2012 Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad (Date Added: 2013-02-25)

24- Impact of Hurricane Dean (2007) on Game Species of the Selva Maya, Mexico
Journal Article
Ramírez-Barajas, PJ, Islebe, GA, Calmé, S
2012 Biotropica (Date Added: 2012-05-15)

23- Searching in heterogeneous and limiting environments: Foraging strategies of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari)
Journal Article
Reyna-Hurtado, R, Chapman, CA, Calme, S, Pedersen, EJ
2012 Journal of Mammalogy (Date Added: 2012-03-08)

22- When landscape modification is advantageous for protected species. The case of a synanthropic tarantula, Brachypelma vagans
Journal Article
Machkour-M’Rabet, S, Hénaut, Y, Calmé, S, Legal, L
2011 Journal of Insect Conservation (Date Added: 2012-08-08)

21- Observation of Nocturnal Feeding in Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus)
Journal Article
Charette, MR, Calmé, S, Pelletier, F
2011 Journal of Raptor Research (Date Added: 2011-09-26)

20- Predatory interactions between Centruroides scorpions and the tarantula Brachypelma vagans
Journal Article
Dor, A, Calmé, S, Hénaut, Y
2011 Journal of Arachnology (Date Added: 2011-07-18)

19- Variation in plasma cholinesterase activity in the clay-colored robin (Turdus grayi) in relation to time of day, season, and diazinon exposure
Journal Article
Cobos, VM, Mora, MA, Escalona, G, Calme, S, Jiménez, J
2010 Ecotoxicology (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

18- Indication of a species in an extinction vortex: The ocellated turkey on the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico
Journal Article
Kampichler, C, Calmé, S, Weissenberger, H, Arriaga-Weiss, SL
2010 Acta Oecologica (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

17- Classification in conservation biology: A comparison of five machine-learning methods
Journal Article
Kampichler, C, Wieland, R, Calmé, S, Weissenberger, H, Arriaga-Weiss, S
2010 Ecological Informatics (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

16- Bird communities in rainforest fragments: Guild responses to habitat variables in Tabasco, Mexico
Journal Article
Arriaga-Weiss, SL, Calmé, S, Kampichler, C
2008 Biodiversity and Conservation (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

15- Hybridization between Crocodylus acutus and Crocodylus moreletii in the Yucatan Peninsula: I. Evidence from mitochondrial DNA and morphology
Journal Article
Cedeño-Vázquez, JR, Rodriguez, D, Calmé, S, Ross, JP, Densmore III, LD, Thorbjarnarson, AJB
2008 Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological Genetics and Physiology (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

14- Senescence of Manilkara zapota trees and implications for large frugivorous birds in the Southern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Journal Article
Weterings, MJA, Weterings-Schonck, SM, Vester, HFM, Calmé, S
2008 Forest Ecology and Management (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

13- Land change in the southern Yucatán and Calakmul biosphere reserve: Effects on habitat and biodiversity
Journal Article
Vester, HFM, Lawrence, D, Eastman, JR, Turner II, BL, Calmé, S, Dickson, R, Pozo, C, Sangermano, F
2007 Ecological Applications (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

12- Soil preference and burrow structure of an endangered tarantula, Brachypelma vagans (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae)
Journal Article
M'Rabet, SM, Hénaut, Y, Sepúlveda, A, Rojo, R, Calmé, S, Geissen, V
2007 Journal of Natural History (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

11- Spatio-temporal distribution of forest extractive activities in Caoba ejido, Quintana Roo
Journal Article
Abraham, AG, Schmook, B, Calmé, S
2007 Investigaciones Geograficas (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

10- Manilkara zapota: A new record of a species dispersed by tapirs
Journal Article
O’Farrill, G, Calmé, S, Gonzalez, A
2006 Tapir Conservation (Date Added: 2011-08-04)

9- A not so natural history of the tarantula Brachypelma vagans: Interaction with human activity
Journal Article
M'Rabet, SM, Hénaut, Y, Rojo, R, Calmé, S
2005 Journal of Natural History (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

8- Status and conservation of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Journal Article
Charruau, P, Cedeño-Vazquez, JR, Calme, S
2005 Herpetological Review (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

7- Regional significance of peatlands for avifaunal diversity in southern Québec
Journal Article
Calmé, S, Desrochers, A, Savard, J-PL
2002 Biological Conservation (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

6- Biogeographic aspects of the distribution of bird species breeding in Québec's peatlands
Journal Article
Calmé, S, Desrochers, A
2000 Journal of Biogeography (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

5- Nested bird and micro-habitat assemblages in a peatland archipelago
Journal Article
Calmé, S, Desrochers, A
1999 Oecologia (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

4- Peatlands: A new habitat for the Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda in Eastern Canada
Journal Article
Calmé, S, Haddad, S
1996 Canadian Field-Naturalist (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

3- The relationship between water content and frost tolerance in shoots of hardwood seedlings
Journal Article
Calme, S, Margolis, HA, Bigras, FJ, Mailly, D
1995 Canadian Journal of Forest Research (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

2- Viability tests for estimating root cold tolerance of black spruce seedlings
Journal Article
Bigras, FJ, Calme, S
1994 Canadian Journal of Forest Research (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

1- Frost tolerance and bud dormancy of container-grown yellow birch, red oak and sugar maple seedlings
Journal Article
Calme, S, Bigras, FJ, Margolis, HA, Hebert, C
1994 Tree Physiology (Date Added: 2011-05-17)

In the media