Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Dr. Baerlocher investigates the diversity and ecological functions of aquatic fungi. Food webs in streams are fueled primarily by plant litter, much of it in the form of autumn-shed leaves. Aquatic fungi modify these materials for consumption by stream invertebrates, which in turn sustain higher level consumers including fish. Microbial decomposition is therefore a key process both for plants (through recycling of inorganic nutrients) and animals (by making plant litter more nutritious for consumers). The program analyzes fungal communities in various streams in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and examines how their composition and ecological functions are affected by riparian vegetation, water chemistry, geography and anthropogenic stress. It requires frequent access to a reliable vehicle for field surveys.  Dr. Hamilton investigates the ecology of migratory shorebirds and intertidal community dynamics. The upper Bay of Fundy provides important habitat for species such as the Semipalmated Sandpiper. Studies of interactions between sandpipers and other members of the community contribute to basic ecological knowledge and provide data to guide conservation decisions. A field vehicle will improve our ability to carry out this research.Dr. Kaczmarska investigates microbial communities of mudflats and marshes in Atlantic Canada. Despite their substantial contributions to coastal productivity, their composition and diversity are virtually unknown. Traditional, morphology-based approaches require advanced and specialized taxonomic expertise. An alternative is molecular techniques, which have successfully been implemented on pure cultures by Dr. Kaczamarska. These studies will now be expanded to natural, mixed communities in mudflats in the upper Bay of Fundy. For access to the various sites, a dependable rough-terrain vehicle is essential.