Our Projects
Restoration Methods Development
Finding answers to practical methods questions and contributing towards a Roadmap to BC Kelp Forest Recovery
Thermal Tolerance Adaptation
Conducting common garden experiments to test the thermal tolerance and plasticity of kelp
Urchin Control
Testing novel methods of urchin deterrents and removal, and supporting cultural harvest in order to protect at-risk kelp forests
Alternative Seeding Methods
Developing novel methods of seeding kelp directly onto the ocean floor
First Nations Engagement
Working with First Nations to align goals and conservations strategies, providing support and research to restoration efforts
Species Distribution Modelling
Pairing kelp occurrence records from across BC with spatial layers representing current and future conditions in the coastal ocean to create species distribution models to examine how kelp forest distributions may shift as climate change progresses.
Kelp Habitat Suitability
Mapping and assessing the abiotic and biotic factors that determine the optimal conditions for kelp presence and growth performance, in order to provide advice for salmon and coastal ecosystem management.
Historic Changes in Kelp Distribution
Understanding the historical distribution of kelp forests and factors leading to kelp declines by using historical data to map and understand kelp losses. This information will guide site selection and restoration strategies in the northern Salish Sea.
Burrard Project
Testing novel kelp outplanting restoration methods in an urban setting to assess scalability and feasibility
Population Genomics
Kelp from different regions of the Pacific Northwest are genetically differentiated and experience differing risk levels. We are sequencing the genomes of hundreds of BC kelp to gain genomic insights that can help guide conservation and restoration efforts.
Historical Genomics
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Genome Assembly
Assembling genomes for BC bull kelp (Macrocystis) and giant kelp (Nereocystis) to create genomic resources that will enable the scientific community to connect their research with kelp genome data.