Samantha Delisle
Project
Biodiversity Patterns Across the Boreal–Tundra Ecotone of the Eastern James Bay ArchipelagoEcotones harbor unique vegetation patterns that can foster high wildlife richness. In northern regions, ecotones are threatened by accelerated climate-induced changes to the landscape. We study the vegetation and wildlife pattern of the boreal to tundra ecotone of the Eastern James Bay archipelago in Northern Quebec. To analyze vegetation patterns across 1800 islands, we use remote sensing of vegetation land classes to test the roles of island latitude, size, distance to mainland and connectivity on diversity of land class. To analyze wildlife patterns, we deployed a network of 16 year-round monitoring wildlife stations. These stations record wildlife presence all year on remote islands using camera traps and audio recorders. The data obtained from these stations is used to understand patterns of wildlife diversity on the islands and create a baseline of species presence. Our project provides a critical foundation for monitoring biodiversity in this rapidly changing ecotone.
