nicheROVER tracks invasive species

This piece originally appeared on Waterloo News.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have published results of a powerful new tool that could give ecologists new ways of tackling problems posed by deadly invasive species like Asian carp and Zebra mussels.

Invasive species cost us more in environmental, economic, and health-care related damages than all other natural disasters combined. Being able to predict how a species ‘fits’ into an environment - the so-called species niche - can help managers prevent, predict, and manage the next big invasion.

Biology professors Heidi Swanson and Michael Power and Statistics and Actuarial Science professor Martin Lysy have created a new statistical tool that gives ecologists an innovative way to quantify species niches and how they overlap with each other.

“Ecology is increasingly becoming a quantitative discipline. We as ecologists don’t always have the mathematical or statistical background necessary to solve quantitative ecological problems,” said Swanson. “I was lucky enough to meet Martin Lysy at a new faculty social when we both arrived at University of Waterloo and we developed a really great collaboration.”

Their statistical tool, nicheROVER, is able to analyse multiple, customizable ecological niche parameters and identify the overlap between species.

Their results are presented this month in the journal Ecology. The authors also include PhD student Ashley Stasko and scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

In recent years, ecologists have increasingly relied on stable isotope ratios to define and quantify part of an organism’s niche. Stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen are especially popular in ecological studies.

The problem is that nearly all off-the-shelf statistical packages that evolved from using isotopes only allow for analysis in two dimensions.

Niches are a fundamental concept in ecology and were defined by G. Evelyn Hutchison in 1957 as an n-dimensional hyper volume, meaning that parameters – where and when a species lives, eats, and spawns – can be mapped and compared between species.

Results from nicheROVER can show whether a species occupies a specific part of the ecosystem or if it overlaps and potentially competes directly with other species for food, space and spawning grounds. Ecologists can now combine classic stable istopic tracers with any number of parameters, like temperature range, salinity, or newly discovered isotopic tracers.

Niche overlap is especially important in the context of invasive species. Managers can use the results to make more informed predictions about how native species will be affected by an invasion or even how species ranges may be extended due to climate change.

Swanson cautions that although nicheROVER is more flexible and more powerful than other niche analysis tools, it’s up to the ecologist to get the most meaningful results. 

The project was funded in part by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada.

Photograph by Martin Schwalbe.

Back to top

Waterloo, Grand River Hospital teaming up

This is the latest in a series of #UWCommunity stories that feature Waterloo in the community.

Grand River Hospital and the University of Waterloo announced their partnership agreement to enhance health services research on a global scale and in the Waterloo Region.

Studies to date have included stroke, cancer treatment, traumatic brain injury, and nutrition and aging. 

As growing experts in these fields, together they are looking forward to using this opportunity as a tool to enhance ground breaking global and local impact.

Back to top

More details about the hospital partnership

The collaborative research partnership is the next stage of a long relationship between University researchers and clinicians at the Hospital who will bring their clinical and academic skills together to engage in collaborative research projects. This partnership will increase research and innovation activity at Grand River Hospital (GRH).

Previously, researchers have worked on projects related to stroke, cancer treatment, traumatic brain injury, and nutrition and aging. The new research partnership means both clinicians and researchers will be actively involved in the research together.

"The sharing of resources is particularly valuable to me as a researcher," said Professor James Danckert, of the Faculty of Arts at Waterloo. "This research partnership gives me access to necessary equipment, doctors with needed medical knowledge and patients, who in turn get to contribute to leading-edge research."

Danckert uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) conducted in GRH’s MRI suite to look at the brain in action as people undergo cognitive testing. This work leads to improved understanding of how the brain controls behaviour. He also uses fMRI in research intended to assist people with traumatic brain injuries to better engage with their environments.

As part of the collaborative research partnership, the hospital will provide University-affiliated researchers with workspace at its KW and Freeport sites. The two organizations will develop a shared research agenda that supports patient care while developing new evidence to improve health outcomes.

"We have a unique opportunity to link a large community hospital that touches nearly all ages and stages of life with one of the most innovative universities in Canada," said Malcolm Maxwell, president and CEO of Grand River Hospital.

The Hospital has more than 50 research and clinical trials currently underway. GRH also hosts hundreds of learners a year in medicine, nursing, social work, clinical dietetics, laboratory services, pharmacy and many other disciplines. The University has supported GRH with learners in pharmacy as well as medical physics related to cancer treatment planning.

"We recognize the value of partnering with clinicians who are actively working in an area of our research. This is a unique opportunity to enrich healthcare for the local community and all Canadians by combining the knowledge and skills of clinicians and researchers in collaborative research projects," said D. George Dixon, vice-president, university research at Waterloo.

The partnership will provide a single point of access for research proposals. GRH and Waterloo will also revise processes to reduce duplication and streamline administrative and ethical reviews.

Back to top

R+T Park joins regional carbon initiative

The David Johnston Research + Technology Park has joined Sustainable Waterloo Region’s (SWR) Regional Carbon Initiative (RCI) as a Collaborative Facility Member.

Collaborative Facility Members “take a fresh approach to traditional sustainability challenges between building use and design.” The model creates mutually beneficial partnerships and solutions between tenants and landlords that will result in reduced greenhouse gas reduction and increased sustainable awareness.

“Innovative new RCI memberships such as this one support the creative, entrepreneurial culture of the region, and of the R+T Park,” said SWR Executive Director Tova Davidson. “By joining, the R+T Park is leading the charge in creating a strong culture of sustainability and helping the building owners and tenants further their commitments to the environment.”

“The Research + Technology Park has an economic momentum that ripples through all parts of the local economy,” says Carol Stewart, director of the R+T Park. “GHG reduction strategies benefit the community and an organization’s bottom line. We are excited to create that same momentum with sustainability as well.”

“As one of the landlords in the R+T Park, I am excited about what this membership in the Regional Carbon Initiative means for us and our tenants,” said Adrian Conrad, Director at The Cora Group. “Environmental sustainability is vital. We want to lead by example and partner with tenants who carry the same vision of making a difference.”

Back to top

Senate meets today and other notes

The University's Senate will be meeting at 3:30 p.m. today in NH 3001. Agenda items include:

• Changes to academic plans in Software Engineering, and curricular modifications in Engineering and Environment programs;
• Academic appointments and sabbaticals across all six Faculties;
• a number of reports for information, including a review of ex officio members of Senate and Senate Executive Committee, and a bylaw change that will be given its "first reading" today;
• approving a change in name of the Master of Environment Studies in Planning to Master of Planning, and approving the participating of the Department of Chemical Engineering in the Collaborative Water Program;
• approving the establishment of a Minor in Entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Engineering; and
• naming two new University Professors.

Additionally, recipients of Distinguished Teacher Award and Amit and Meena Chakma Awards for Exceptional Teaching by a Student will be announced at the meeting.

"The Department of Systems Design Engineering would like to invite everyone to our 4th Year Capstone Project Presentations," says a note from the department. "They’re a 25 minute conference-style presentation with a demonstration of their project solution/prototype, followed by a 20 minute question period."

The first set of presentations start Monday March 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.. The second set of Presentations begin Tuesday March 24 at 8:30 and run to 4:30. Presentations for both days take place in E5-6111.

There are still open spots available for the Centre for Teaching Excellence's course Documenting Your Teaching for Tenure and Promotion (CTE908), which will run on Tuesday, March 31 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in NH 3001. The course is open to faculty, but registration is required.

"Tenure and promotion are critical milestones in a faculty member's career," says the course's description. "You need to collect evidence and document your successes in research, teaching, and service for various individuals and committees to assess. Although many faculty are well prepared to document their research and even service, evidence of good teaching can be more difficult to provide. You will learn about best practices used at other institutions - primarily the teaching dossier - for you to use or adapt in relation to the criteria identified by your Department Chair or School Director. There will be time for questions throughout the session."

"Join us for lunch (sponsored by the Education Credit Union) and a chance to find out how others have been successful at documenting their teaching as part of being granted tenure at Waterloo, and network with your colleagues to help build a community that can help support you to your successful tenure application and beyond."

Panel members include Mario Coniglio, Associate Vice President Academic, Trevor Holmes, CTE, Jennifer Roberts-Smith, Drama and Speech Communication, and Andrea Edginton, Pharmacy. Register online.

"The roofing contractor is going to install gravel on the upper roof of the Needles Hall addition on Tuesday, March 24," says a note from Plant Operations. "A crane will impede on a section of one traffic lane resulting in a lane restriction." The lane restriction will be in force for most of the work day, but flagpersons will be on site to direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic while the gravel is unloaded.

Bruce Lumsden, former director of Co-operative Education and Career Action (CECA), will be launching his second book, “River-Places,” on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Renison University College’s Dunker Family Lounge. Lumsden will be joined by photographer David Hunsberger, whose serigraphs of northern rivers complement Lumsden’s accounts of canoe adventures.

The Waterloo Store Monster Event will take place on Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the SCH concourse. There will be many exclusive items for sale, and specials that aren't available anywhere else. Following that is the Big Bookstore Blowout Sale on Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the SCH concourse.

Here's today's Nutrition Month "myth vs. fact" supplied by Health Services Dietician Sandra Ace:

Myth: Farmed salmon isn’t as healthy as wild salmon and should be avoided.

Fact:  Something’s fishy here. We’ve all heard that regularly eating seafood, and especially salmon, provides many health benefits. Health Canada advises people to eat at least two Food Guide (75g) servings of fish a week, with an emphasis on omega-3 rich salmon, trout, sardines, mackerel and char. On the other hand, most salmon sold in Canada is Atlantic salmon, a farm-raised fish which is much less expensive than the wild caught variety, but which has come under tremendous fire from environmental groups. At the risk of oversimplifying the complex issues raised by both sides of the debate, I’ll highlight  evidence about health benefits as well as provide further resources so you can make your own decisions around environmental issues.

Nutritionally, farmed salmon and wild salmon are very similar:  both are excellent sources of protein, vitamin D and omega-3 fats. In fact, farmed salmon is higher in omega-3s because it is fattier than wild caught salmon. Both are low in mercury but the industrially-produced fish meal fed to farmed salmon means it contains higher levels of environmental contaminants like PCBs and pesticides. Health Canada maintains that the level of PCBs found in both farmed and wild salmon is safe and does not pose a health risk. Most health experts agree that the heart health benefits of eating both varieties of fish far outweigh any health risks from PCB or other chemical exposures.

The environmental concerns center on how farmed salmon are raised – often in crowded pens along ocean shorelines, causing pollution that poses a danger to other fish and aquatic plants. Salmon farming, rather than preserving ocean fishery stocks, can harm wild salmon and other sea life in multiple ways, including the potential for spreading diseases such as sea lice and cross breeding, which weakens wild stocks. You can learn more about these issues and how to make environmentally sustainable seafood choices through public awareness programs such as SeaChoice.org, a coalition of Canadian conservation organizations.

The bottom line? Choose  a variety of seafood. If you enjoy salmon frequently, consider choosing wild caught if you can find it and can afford to buy it. Farmed catfish and trout are also healthy choices and have less environmental impact. Canned salmon has a low environmental impact because it is typically from Alaskan sockeye, coho or pink salmon. The edible bones are also calcium-rich, adding to its nutrient benefits.

Back to top