News

Article Title: MhGeneS: An analytical pipeline to allow for robust microhaplotype genotyping Authors: Julia C. Geue, Peng Liu, Sonesinh Keobouasone,  Paul Wilson & Micheline Manseau Abstract: Microhaplotypes are small linked genomic regions comprising two or more single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are being applied in forensics and are emerging in wildlife monitoring studies and genomic epidemiology. Typically, targeted in non-coding regions,…

Article Title: Assessing the suitability of a one-time sampling event for close-kin mark-recapture: A caribou case study Authors: Brandon Merriell, Micheline Manseau & Paul Wilson Abstract: Abundance estimation is frequently an objective of conservation and monitoring initiatives for threatened and other managed populations. While abundance estimation via capture–mark–recapture or spatially explicit capture–recapture is now common, such approaches are…

RESEARCH IN ACTION: CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY: Canada is the second largest country, with over 15 million square kilometres of land and water. It has around 24% of the world’s wetlands, 20% of its freshwater and 8% of its forests. Canadians reside in diverse natural landscapes, ranging from coastal regions to Arctic tundra, prairie grasslands to mountainous…

Article Title: Genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution Authors: Cory Fournier, Micheline Manseau, Bridget Redquest, Leon Andrew, Allicia Kelly, Dave Hervieux, Troy Hegel,  Gigi Pittoello, Vicki Trim,  Dennis Brannen & Paul Wilson Abstract: The conservation of genetic diversity and connectivity is essential for the long-term persistence and adaptive ability of a species. Recent calls have been made for the inclusion of genetic…

In conjunction with the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board (Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gots’ę́ Nákedı) we successfully completed the fourth consecutive year of winter fecal sampling of Northern Mountain Caribou (Shúhta goɂepę́) in the Mackenzie Mountains. This ongoing research is part of the Nı́o Nę P’ęnę́ – Trails of the Mountain Caribou: Renewing Indigenous Relationships in Conservation project.…

The CCA (Council of Canadian Academies) published a report on the future of Arctic and Northern research in Canada. A new expert panel determined that an inclusive, collaborative, and effective Northern research system must be accessible and accountable to Northern and Indigenous communities while also safeguarding Indigenous knowledge systems and data. Summary The North is…

A big thank you to Derek Smith and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) laboratories for helping get the first MinION nanopore sequencing test run started! After an informative trip by Ella Clarke to the ECCC River Road laboratory (Ottawa, ON), to troubleshoot some technical issues, our lab team is now set up with the…

Ecogenomics biologist Cory Fournier attended the Ontario boreal caribou knowledge plan workshop on the 18-10th October 2023. This 2 days workshop was hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and held in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The workshop brought together various stakeholders including municipal,…

EcoGenomics Principal Investigators Dr. Micheline Manseau and Dr. Paul Wilson are organizing a panel discussion at the GEO BON Global Conference: Monitoring Biodiversity for Action. In this panel the long-term Ecogenomics project will be introduced and it will be reflected on the history and expansion of this collaborative network, what has been accomplished, benefits and…

The NACW is a central event for sharing Indigenous knowledge, science and lessons learned, reporting on caribou status and discussing approaches to address key challenges to caribou conservation, management and recovery. For the very first time this year, the 19th North American Caribou Workshop (NACW) and 16th Arctic Ungulate Conference are combined and held together…

A successfully survey of the Redstone caribou herd in the Mackenzie Mountains of the Northwest Territories – the results of an excellent collaboration between the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Polar Continental Shelf Program and Epéchille Production.

Dr. Micheline Manseau, one of the Principal Investigators of the EcoGenomics research program, recently spoke at the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute’s Caribou Ecology & Recovery Webinar Series on how advances in genomics methods are opening new horizons in caribou monitoring and conservation. Genetic data, most often obtained non-invasively by collecting fecal or hair samples, can…

Alberta’s provincial government has proposed that the Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Provincial Park be expanded to nearly twice its current size. The Mikisew Cree First Nation has been credited for driving discussions of this expansion, which Chief Peter Powder has described as a step towards realizing the community’s vision for its lands.