The CHANGE Lab
Marine global change science in service of solutions at the University of Alberta
Issues We Address
We study the causes and consequences of biodiversity change in marine ecosystems to support conservation and restoration under global change. Using integrated ecological and social science approaches and through strong partnerships with practitioners and communities, we examine how climate change, harvesting, and biological invasions alter marine food webs and the benefits they provide to people.
Concepts we Advance
We investigate the general mechanisms governing how ecological communities are being pulled apart and reassembled in the face of unprecedented anthropogenic stress. Our mission is to provide practitioners with the quantitative tools and evidence-based strategies needed to sustain changing oceans. Much of our work focuses on developing a mechanistic understanding of how species interactions influence food-web structure and ecosystem function, using organismal traits—such as behavior, morphology, and life history—to predict outcomes in novel environmental conditions.
Predicting species interactions, reassembly and food webs
trait-based approaches to ecological dynamics
Linking social & ecological processes
Where we work
Our Core Principles
Generating quantitative tools that aid in natural resource management and regional conservation strategies
Moving beyond taxonomic identity to understand the trait-basis of ecosystem reassembly.
Co-developing knowledge with coastal partners and managers to ensure scientific progress supports community priorities
Meet our team
Our mission is to understand causes and consequences of biodiversity change in marine and freshwater ecosystems, with the goal of developing science-based tools to inform conservation and restoration under global change.
We seek to create and sustain an inclusive, supportive, and equitable working and learning environment where people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives thrive.
Lab News
Milene presented a research update on "In situ experimental approach for assessing density-impact thresholds in invasive species"
Kiara presented a research update on "Coastal mustelids as predators of invasive European green crabs (Carcinus maneas) in Haíɫzaqv Territory"
"Meet the young researchers trying to stop an invasive crab from threatening Pacific marine ecosystems."
"Understanding species traits offers 'common language' for restoring ecosystems"
Kiara Kattler presents an update on her Masters project:
"Coastal mustelids as potential indicators and biological controls of the invasive European green crab (Carcinus maneas) in Haìłzaqv Territory"
Erika Hawes presents her honours project on:
"Diet variation across invasion timelines in European green crab (Carcinus maneas) along the Pacific Coast of British Columbia"
Jacob Mamchur presents his honours project on:
"Assessing global pink salmon introductions to identify potential barriers to freshwater establishment"
Alexandra De León presented on
"Quantifying coral reef benthic communities and structural complexity using photomosaic-based frameworks"
Caitlin Lloyd-Hall presented on
"Biophysical Drivers of Corallivorous Fish Hotspots Across Reefscapes"
Kiara and Milène visit the Center for Biodiversity Genomics at the University of Guelph, followed by a visit to their co-supervisor, Dr. Kyle Artelle, at the State University of New York!
for a successful Ph.D. defence on:
"Prawn tales: A deep dive into the population biology and fisheries management of spot prawns (Pandalus platyceros) in British Columbia, Canada"
for a successful M.Sc. defence on:
"Effects of temperature and body size on prey consumption in the invasive european green crab (Carcineus maenas)"
Our research group is based at the University of Alberta, which is located on the territory of the Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis.