Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Approximately 30-50% of vertebrate species worldwide are experiencing severe population declines as a result of environmental change and human impact. Safeguarding species for the future requires a clear understanding of ecological, demographic, and genetic processes. The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is one of the most endangered mammals in Canada and is currently the focus of conservation efforts including captive breeding and releases to augment the wild population. While this strategy has demonstrated short-term relief through demographic rescue, the long-term ecological and genetic effects on recovery remain unknown. My lab seeks to understand the dynamic interactions between ecological effects and evolutionary potential (eco-evolutionary dynamics) and how we can influence these processes to restore declining populations. My students and I will study the fitness consequences of captivity on wild and captive marmots, including how breeding behaviour and parasite loads may differ by origin and experience. Combining traditional field methods with innovative genetic sequencing, we will discover the factors that drive mate choice, inbreeding depression, and reproductive success to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms influencing individual fitness and ultimately population growth to promote the recovery of this iconic endemic. These outcomes will provide a basis for determining the efficacy and consequences of rescue efforts and the long-term impact on social, ecological, and genetic effects and population resilience. Ultimately, this research will greatly improve our understanding of eco-evolutionary dynamics and will serve as a model example for rescue strategies towards other endangered species nationwide.