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INFORMATION

Mailing Address:
Department of Biological Sciences
212B Biological Sciences Building
50 Sifton Road
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 CANADA

Office-Lab Location:
Buller Building, Rooms 432 and 435
45 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba, Fort Garry Campus.

Office Phone: (204)-474-6889
FAX: (204)-474-7604
email: kenkel@cc.umanitoba.ca

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Major areas of research in the quantitative plant ecology laboratory:

  • Forest ecology: biodiversity and stand dynamics of boreal and temperate rain forest.
  • Statistical ecology: application of fractals and multivariate analysis in biology.
  • Ethnobotany: studies of food, medicinal, and psychoactive plants.

Forestry research in west-central Manitoba focuses on stand dynamics and management of mixed-wood (hardwood-softwood) boreal forest. Research projects include: long-term dynamics of boreal mixed-wood stands; dynamics of post-harvest mortality along cut-block edges; growth and yield models for mixed-wood forest stands; and patterns and mechanisms of trembling aspen colonization. Forest research in coastal British Columbia focuses on biodiversity and the structural-compositional dynamics of old-growth temperate rain forest. Research in statistical ecology includes theoretical and practical approaches to multivariate data analysis in ecology, and the application of fractal theory to biological patterns and processes. Ethnobotanical research focuses on changes in the perception and utilization of food, medicinal and psychoactive plants over time, and on the ecology of medicinal plants native to Canada.

The quantitative plant ecology laboratory takes an integrative approach to higher learning, exposing students to a wide range of sub-disciplines within the ecological sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on the acquisition of strong numerical, statistical, computational and data analytic skills, from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Students also acquire skills in experimental design, field sampling methods, plant identification, geographical information systems, and the use of field and laboratory equipment. Our laboratory is a dynamic learning environment, emphasizing a cooperative approach to scholarly research based on sharing new ideas and challenging established paradigms.

STUDENTS

GRADUATE STUDENTS

XU, W. (Ph.D. 2012). Modelling jack pine [Pinus banksiana Lamb] and black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.). BSP] growth and yield in Manitoba.

LEVAC, J. (M.Sc. 2012). Long-term forest stand dynamics in the boreal mixedwood forests of west-central Manitoba.

LASTRA, R. (Ph.D. 2011). Determining the ecological mechanisms of forest encroachment within the aspen parkland of western Canada.

FISHER, D. (M.Sc. 2009). Impact of modified retention clearcuts on perimeter stands dominated by trembling aspen.

SINKINS, P. (M.Sc. 2008). Ecological and hydrological consequences of beaver activity in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba.

OTFINOWSKI, R. (Ph.D. 2008). Patterns and processes of exotic plant invasions in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada. (Thesis)

XU, W. (M.Sc. 2004). Developing ecoregion-based height-diameter models and reference-age invariant polymorphic height and site index curves for black spruce and jack pine Manitoba. (co-supervised, G. Wang).

MATTHIAS, L. (M.Sc. 2004). Sapling growth and mortality in contrasting light environments for four predominant tree species across the Canadian boreal forest.

FOSTER, C. (M.Sc. 2002). White spruce regeneration thirty-nine years post-fire in the boreal mixedwoods of Duck Mountain, Manitoba.

WALKER, D.J. (Ph.D. 2002). Landscape complexity and vegetation dynamics in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba Canada.

CANERS, R. (M.Sc. 2002). Landscape-level vegetation dynamics in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada.

FROESE, J. (M.Sc. 2002). Determining effective strategies for conserving biological diversity in Manitoba's Interlake. (co-supervised, R. Baydack).

O'BRIEN, D. (M.Sc. 2002). Measuring terrestrial net primary productivity in arctic ecosystems with AVHHR satellite imagery.

HAMEL, C. (M.Sc. 2002). Structure and dynamics of boreal forest stands in teh Duck Mountains, Manitoba. (Thesis)

LASTRA, R. (M.Sc. 2001). Population dynamics of Interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) in Canada's four mountain parks. (Thesis)

GROSSHANS, R. (M.Sc. 2001). Long-term vegetation dynamics following water level stabilization in a prairie marsh. (Thesis)

MURRAY, S. (M.Sc. 2001). Effects of harvesting on aspen dominated stands. (Thesis)

WOLFE, K. (M.Sc. 2001). Bur oak (Quercus marcrocarpa Michx.) in Riding Mountain National Park. (Thesis)

BALUTA, D. (M.Sc. 1999). Competitive hierarchies amongst twelve native prairie species. (Thesis)

SLOGAN, J. (M.Sc. 1997). Long-term vegetation dynamics of plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii) grassland in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba. (Thesis)

WATSON, P. (M.Sc. 1997). Modelling landscape level vegetation dynamics in the boreal forests of northwestern Ontario. (Thesis)

TURCOTTE, C. (M.Sc. 1997). Towards sustainable harvesting of seneca snakeroot (Polygala senega L.) on Manitoba Hydro rights-of-way. (Thesis)

BARKER, J. (M.Sc. 1997). Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides Michaux) management on hydro-electric rights-of-way in northern Manitoba. (Thesis)

WALKER, D.J. (M.Sc. 1994). A model for predicting boreal vegetation dynamics and management requirements on electric transmission rights-of-ways, Interlake region, Manitoba. (co-supervised, J. Stewart).

JOHNSON-GREEN, P. (Ph.D. 1994). The ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in inland boreal salt pans. (co-supervised, T. Booth).

SHAW, M. (M.Sc. 1993). Spatio-temporal dynamics of the vegetation and seed bank of beaver meadows in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba.

JONES, G. (M.Sc. 1992). Competitive processes and spatial patterning of plant species in boreal saline habitats.

BURCHILL, C. (M.Sc. 1991). Vegetation-environment relationships of an inland boreal salt pan.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT THESES

SINKINS, P. (2006). Ecological consequences of beaver activity in the boreal mixedwood forest: Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba.

SHIN, J. (2001). Demography and stand dynamics of Red River gallery forest in Winnipeg.

PIRIE, D. (1998). An experimental test of the diversity-productivity hypothesis.

HAMEL, C. (1997). Experimental revegetation of mixed-grass prairie at Carman, Manitoba.

GOULET, S. (1997). Habitat survey and management proposal for Manitoba populations of western spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis (Britt.) Smyth).

SEREDA, K. (1996). Foraging by a clonal grass, Distichlis stricta (Torr.) Rybd.

BALUTA, D. (1995). Interaction of salinity and nutrients on the growth of Nutallis' salt grass, Puccinellia nuttalliana (Schultes) Hitchc.

ZEBROWSKI, D. (1993). The role of interspecific competition on jack pine seedlings.

DE VOS, S. (1991). Biology and ecology of Aralia nudicaulis L. (wild sarsaparilla) at Delta Marsh, Manitoba.

GRADUATE                                       UNDERGRADUATE