Ecology

With its focus on the interrelations between organisms and their environment, ecology is a growing and multidisciplinary science that draws on many other fields, including geology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Our faculty work in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems on a broad range of ecological topics, including physiological responses of organisms to changing environmental conditions, the structure and dynamics of populations and communities, as well as ecosystems processes. We apply our research to a number of pressing societal issues, including wildlife and habitat conservation, ecosystem restoration, management of invasive species, and climate change. Our scientific contributions extend well beyond Ontario and address issues of regional, national, and international importance.

Our faculty help to manage a number of state-of-the-art research facilities, including the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station, the Hagen Aqualab, and the University of Guelph Phytotron. Many of our faculty and students conduct field studies in temperate, boreal, and arctic settings to tackle novel ecological questions.