Sustainable Resource and Land-Use Development
Research
Meeting the societal need for resource (e.g. oil and gas, timber) and land-use development while maintaining environmental sustainability can be challenging. As the human population grows, so does the need for resource and land-use development for that population. Developing sustainable development remains a global challenge. We strive to help assess and improve sustainable development in relation to aquatic ecosystems. For example, industrial activities related to the exploration and development of natural resources have created large networks of roads that we've shown to negatively impact aquatic ecosystems (Maitland et al. 2016a). Prioritization methods that consider at-risk species can help mitigate problem these problem stream crossings (Maitland et al. 2016b). Other projects include: assessing the impact of oil sands development on aquatic ecosystems (Donner et al. 2018; Shotyk et al. 2018; Sun et. al. 2017), assessing spills and determining bio-accumulation of metals in aquatic ecosystems. Click on the photos, articles or news items to learn more about some of the research we are conducting on sustainable resource development! Note: * Lab members.
Articles from Lab
McPherson, M.*, Lewis, J.B., Cott, P.B., Baker, L.F., Mochnacz, N.J. Swanson, H.K., and S. Poesch. (2023) Habitat use by fluvial Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) across life stages in northern mountain streams. Environmental Biology of Fishes.
Theis, S.*, Ruppert, J. L. W. and M. S. Poesch. (2023) Coarse woody habitat use by local fish species and structural integrity of enhancements over time in a shallow northern boreal lake assessed in a Bayesian modeling approach. Ecological Solutions and Evidence.
Theis, S.* Castellanos D.A., Hamann A. and M.S. Poesch. (2022) Exploring the potential role of habitat banks in preserving freshwater biodiversity and imperiled species in the United States. Biological Conservation 273: 109700.
Theis, S.* Koops, M. and M.S. Poesch. (2022) A meta-analysis on the effectiveness of offsetting strategies for harm to freshwater fishes. Environmental Management 70(5): 793-807.
Theis S.*, and M.S. Poesch (2022) Assessing conservation and mitigation banking practices and associated gains and losses in the United States. Sustainability 14: 6652..
News from the Lab
CBC interviews Dr. Poesch about new article on offsetting in freshwater ecosystems (CBC News; CBC Radio)
Fish Friendly: Applying science to preserve native fish populations in the oilsands region (Magazine)
Lakes created ‘from scratch’ try to replace fish habitat in Alberta’s oilsands region (Edmonton Journal)