Research summary
Multiple anthropogenic stressors (that is, those created by humans) are affecting organisms around the globe—both on land and in water. In addition, the interactions between these stressors across space and time are resulting in new environmental conditions and species behaviours. They are also affecting how species respond to new environments, leading to changes in groups of species as their ranges shift.
As Canada Research Chair in Spatial Ecology, Dr. Marie-Josée Fortin is determining how landscape connectivity shapes the way species move, interact and persist through geographical ranges. She and her research team are accounting for the enduring influences of past landscape structures and processes, phenology mismatches (when species are out of sync), and the ability of species to become established in new areas. Their findings will help protect and maintain biodiversity in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, especially in the face of climate change.