My doctoral research investigates mental health challenges of Canadian farmers, to more effectively address them. My research includes a nationwide epidemiological survey examining the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and burnout. Additionally, I conducted 75 one-on-one qualitative interviews with farmers and others in the agricultural industry to provide an in-depth understanding […]

forWater Network researchers at Dalhousie University are working with Halifax Water and Westfor Management Inc. to determine how the Pockwock forested watershed can be managed to improve water treatability. A key issue here is the movement of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). DOC movement from the land to the water has increased in recent decades, and […]

The Nova Scotia Municipality of Argyle is exploring the potential of establishing the province’s first shellfish Aquaculture Development Area (ADA) in Lobster Bay. If an ADA is approved, individual site and lease applications benefit from an expedited licensing process. Spatial marine planning is required for ADA approval and must consider oceanographic data, ecological data, and […]

Feed formulation is based on ingredient digestibility data, and the assumption of additivity. However, digestibility data generally do not account for interactions among nutrients or ingredients. An enhanced understanding of protein and fiber digestion rates and extent of their fermentation between feedstuffs would help to optimize feed formulation. Furthermore, macro-minerals, including phosphorus, copper and zinc, […]

British Columbia’s sablefish fishery is among the most highly valuable fisheries in Canada. In the early 1990s, mainland inlets were closed to commercial fishing because young sablefish were thought to grow in these protected areas before moving to the offshore areas where the fishery operates; we will look at movement patterns of sablefish within BC […]

Honey bee colony health and productivity is intrinsically linked to the quality of the queen. Unfortunately, queen quality is compromised by stressors such as extreme temperatures and pesticide exposure. When queens are heat- and cold-shocked, the viability of their stored sperm drastically decreases, causing colonies to dwindle, produce less honey, and ultimately fail. Pesticide exposure […]

Research that supports Ontario’s wine industry has an opportunity to improve the quality of a white hybrid grape, Vidal, and to investigate the potential for a red hybrid grape, Marquette, which is seeing increased interest from growers and wineries. This project is a scientific evaluation of varying factors that could improve the expression of Vidal […]

Indigenous participation is integral to the advancement of community-led governance over natural resources development projects. Stemming from such undertakings is the need for effective and continuous environmental monitoring for mitigating impacts to traditional lands and waters. The research proposal is aimed at articulating community-identified values and objectives for the development of an effective and culturally […]

Ce projet vise à développer une technique de lutte respectueuse de l’environnement contre les ravageurs de la canneberge : la confusion sexuelle des insectes, ce qui aura comme conséquence la réduction de l’utilisation des pesticides dans cette culture. Le partenaire pourra alors proposer une solution potentielle aux producteurs de canneberges biologiques et potentiellement conventionnelles.

Une composante importante de l’alimentation durable, dans le contexte du développement durable, est de mettre le consommateur beaucoup plus près, psychologiquement et physiquement, de la production de sa nourriture quotidienne. En particulier, la culture en serre en climat nordique (ex. Québec, Canada) diminue la distance entre le consommateur et le producteur d’aliments à haute teneur […]

Aquaculture now accounts for approximately half of all fish and shellfish consumed worldwide. With increasing production costs and public concern over emitted wastes, there is much effort towards increasing the efficiency of operations, namely that of feed use. However, assessing the effects of the many factors contributing to productivity and efficiency, (eg. various feed types, […]

En forêt boréale, les coupes partielles se présentent comme une alternative aux coupes totales pour assurer le compromis entre conservation de la biodiversité et récolte durable de la ressource ligneuse. Bien que les coupes partielles soient des traitements sylvicoles classiques en Europe, leur utilisation demeure marginale et inadaptée aux conditions de la forêt boréale Québécoise. […]