Research summary
Rapid environmental change is accelerating biodiversity loss worldwide, and ectotherms—animals like amphibians and reptiles that rely on external sources of heat—are among the most at risk. Understanding whether these species can adapt to changing conditions is essential for effective conservation. As Canada Research Chair in Integrative Wildlife Ecology, Dr. Julia Riley is investigating how ectotherm traits, behaviours and energetics shape their resilience to environmental stress.
She and her research team are establishing long-term field studies to uncover whether variation in traits like reproduction and growth can buffer species from change. They are also exploring how behaviour may enable rapid adaptation and whether physiological limits constrain survival in new conditions. By integrating ecology, behaviour and physiology, they are building foundational knowledge to guide conservation policies—both in Canada and globally—and helping protect biodiversity in a rapidly changing world.