Publications
Community-based eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring fish biodiversity and food webs in the Peace-Athabasca Delta
A pilot study using community-based eDNA metabarcoding in the Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD) successfully detected 15 fish species, including key dietary components of Lake Whitefish, demonstrating the potential of molecular tools to enhance biodiversity monitoring and food web assessments. The research, conducted in collaboration with Indigenous Governments, Parks Canada, and GEN-FISH, employed two mitochondrial markers (COI and 12S) to analyze eDNA samples collected across 15 locations. While COI provided broader taxonomic coverage, detecting birds, mammals, and invertebrates, 12S offered greater specificity for fish. The findings highlight the readiness of these molecular techniques to support the Integrated Research and Monitoring Program's assessment of PAD health, addressing critical knowledge gaps in fish diversity and distribution within this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A luta pelo clima no Comitê do Patrimônio Mundial: um estudo de caso
A study of litigation within the World Heritage Committee reveals a significant connection between heritage site disputes and climate change advocacy, exemplified by the case of Wood Buffalo National Park. The research demonstrates that strategic legal action can drive legislative, policy, and social transformations, underscoring its potential as a tool for climate justice. Employing a case-study methodology, the analysis examines key actors—plaintiffs, defendants, and decision-makers—as well as the claims' substance and outcomes. Initial hypotheses were confirmed, highlighting how litigation in this context can serve as a catalyst for broader environmental change.
Centring Water in Impact Assessment: Reconsidering Environmental and Cultural Flows in Development Decision-Making in Canada
A novel framework for integrating environmental and cultural flows into impact assessments could significantly enhance water protection in development projects. This study proposes the 'three Cs'—advisory councils, regional data assessment, and consensus-building—to embed ecosystem and rights-based needs in decision-making processes. While current Canadian practices often focus on habitat and fish, this approach expands to include Indigenous rights and cumulative water withdrawals, drawing from successful cases like the Wolastoq Ecological Limits of Hydrological Alteration and Wood Buffalo National Park assessments. The findings suggest that adopting such frameworks could lead to more comprehensive water protection in development projects.
Ice Jam Flooding of the Drying Peace-Athabasca Delta: Hindsight on the Accuracy of the Traditional Knowledge and Historical Flood Record
A reassessment of the Peace-Athabasca Delta's (PAD) historical flood record, compiled in 1995 using traditional knowledge and historical data, reveals that while major ice-jam floods—critical for recharging wetlands—are reliably documented, minor events may be overestimated. Recent advances in hydrometric monitoring and climatic analysis, along with eyewitness accounts dating back to the early 1900s, support the accuracy of major flood events but cast doubt on the reliability of smaller, inferred floods. This study underscores the ecological significance of the PAD, a UNESCO-listed Ramsar wetland within Wood Buffalo National Park, and its vulnerability to drying trends, informing future park management strategies.
Optimization and validation of ELISAs for interferon-gamma determination in bison
Two commercial ELISAs, Mabtech bovine Flex and Pro kits, were successfully optimized and partially validated for detecting interferon-gamma (IFNγ) in bison, offering a sensitive and reliable method to diagnose bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis. The assays demonstrated linear responses to both recombinant bovine and endogenous bison IFNγ across a range of 1–125 pg/mL, with high linearity (R² = 0.99), good recovery, fair reproducibility, and a low limit of quantification at 1 pg/mL. These findings provide a flexible diagnostic tool for monitoring M. bovis infection in wood bison, a threatened species within Wood Buffalo National Park, potentially mitigating zoonotic risks and supporting conservation efforts.
Orally administered live BCG and heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis protect bison against experimental bovine tuberculosis
Oral administration of live BCG and heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis (HIMB) effectively protects wood bison against bovine tuberculosis (BTB), with BCG providing superior protection. The study, conducted in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP), demonstrated that both vaccines reduced lung lesions and M. bovis burden, while BCG-treated bison showed fewer adverse effects and lower tuberculin sensitivity, making it a promising Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) vaccine candidate. Researchers aerosol-challenged young bison with virulent M. bovis to confirm BTB establishment before assessing vaccine efficacy in a homologous prime-boost regimen. This breakthrough offers a potential solution for controlling BTB in this ecologically and culturally significant species, mitigating risks to wildlife, livestock, and human health.
The fight for climate at the World Heritage Committee: a case study
Litigation within the World Heritage Committee can drive significant legislative, political, and social changes, as demonstrated by the case of Wood Buffalo National Park. This study reveals that strategic legal actions at the international level have tangible impacts on climate-related policies and protections. Employing a case study approach, researchers analyzed key actors—plaintiffs, defendants, and decision-making bodies—and their claims, including factual, material law, and procedural developments. The findings confirm an initial hypothesis that such litigation serves as a powerful catalyst for broader environmental reforms.
Effects of fire and fire-induced changes in soil properties on post-burn soil respiration
Burning boreal forest soils reduces post-fire respiration by 16%, suggesting that carbon (C) lost during wildfires may be partially offset by slower decomposition rates. Laboratory burns on organic-rich and sandy soil cores from Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, revealed that fire increases soil pH and alters C:N ratios, while also shifting the balance between fast- and slow-cycling C pools. These changes imply that future wildfire regimes—driven by climate-induced shifts toward more frequent and severe fires—will influence boreal forest C storage both through direct combustion losses and indirect effects on microbial respiration. The study highlights the need to integrate soil property changes with microbial community data to better predict post-fire C cycling dynamics.
Impact of fire on chemical properties and respiration of boreal forest soils
Boreal forest fires significantly alter soil chemical properties and respiration, with laboratory burns revealing that exposure to high temperatures (60 kW m^-2) reduces soil pH, total carbon, and nitrogen content. These changes subsequently impact soil respiration, as demonstrated by 70-day incubations using two-pool exponential decay models. The study, conducted in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, successfully replicated natural wildfire conditions, providing critical insights into post-fire carbon cycling dynamics. By analyzing both organic-rich and sandy soils from 12 sites, researchers quantified the effects of burning on soil properties and respiration, offering a nuanced understanding of fire's role in boreal forest ecosystems.
Isolation and Characterization of a Frog Virus 3 Strain from a Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) in Wood Buffalo National Park
A novel Frog Virus 3 (FV3)-like ranavirus, Rana sylvatica ranavirus (RSR), was isolated from a wood frog (Rana sylvatica) during an amphibian die-off in Wood Buffalo National Park. Genomic sequencing revealed high similarity to FV3 (99.98%) and a Maine salamander isolate (SSME; 99.64%), but RSR contained unique genomic elements, including a 13-amino acid insertion in ORF 49/50L. While growth kinetics were comparable in vitro, differences in non-core genes suggest potential roles in nucleic acid metabolism and immune evasion. This study underscores the significance of viral isolation and genomic analysis for understanding ranavirus distribution, host tropism, and pathogenicity.
The World Heritage Convention, human rights and Indigenous Peoples
The World Heritage Convention, while rooted in universalistic aims, often clashes with the rights of Indigenous Peoples due to its state-centrism and Eurocentric heritage discourses. However, a broadening conceptualization of World Heritage value, combined with a focus on synchronicity with human rights, can enable recognition and protection of Indigenous worldviews, rights, and cultural continuity under international law. This study examines the variance among states parties and the World Heritage Committee in upholding human rights standards through case studies, including Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada. Despite recent progress towards a rights-based approach, inconsistencies remain in adherence to international human rights standards.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Endemic Mycobacterium bovis Strain from Wood Bison in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada
Researchers have sequenced the complete genome of an endemic Mycobacterium bovis strain, isolated from wood bison in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada. This strain represents a wildlife reservoir of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a zoonotic disease posing risks to human health, livestock, and conservation efforts. The study provides critical genomic data that could enhance understanding of bTB transmission dynamics, virulence mechanisms, and the development of targeted interventions for affected ecosystems. By leveraging advanced sequencing techniques, the team identified unique genetic features of this strain, offering insights into its evolutionary adaptation to wildlife hosts and potential implications for disease management in protected areas.
Dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds in Canada’s Athabasca River in relation to Oil Sands from 2013 through 2019
A distinct chemical fingerprint of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) linked to the Athabasca oil sands deposit (AOSD) was detected in the Athabasca River from 2013 to 2019, with concentrations peaking within the oil sands mineable area and downstream tributaries. The study identified elevated levels of alkylated PACs—particularly phenanthrenes/anthracenes and dibenzothiophenes—as markers of petrogenic sources, which were absent in reference sites outside AOSD influence. Hydrological factors, including river discharge and tributary inputs, modulated PAC concentrations, with dilution observed downstream of the Peace-Athabasca Delta. This seven-year dataset provides a critical baseline for assessing long-term water quality impacts in Wood Buffalo National Park and adjacent regions.
Remembering Our Relations
A critical examination of Wood Buffalo National Park's history reveals systemic broken promises by settler colonial governments, highlighting the forced displacement and erasure of Dénesųłıuné people. The study centers Dene voices through oral histories and testimonies from Elders, knowledge-holders, and community members, contrasting their experiences with archival records. It demonstrates how the park's creation, expansion, and management reflect broader patterns of violence against Indigenous homelands and Treaty rights, particularly under Treaty 8. By prioritizing Dénesųłıuné perspectives, this work challenges historical narratives, advocating for healing and justice in a century-long struggle.
The Drying Peace–Athabasca Delta, Canada: Review and Synthesis of Cryo-Hydrologic Controls and Projections to Future Climatic Conditions
Future climate conditions are projected to reduce the frequency of ice-jam floods, which are critical for replenishing perched basins in the Peace–Athabasca Delta (PAD), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar wetland. This study synthesizes cryo-hydrologic controls on the PAD's drying trend, leveraging Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, historical records, and extensive hydrometric data. It reveals that spring ice jams in the Peace and Athabasca Rivers drive overland flooding that sustains higher-elevation basins, though regulation of the Peace River has altered flood frequency. The findings highlight the vulnerability of the PAD's aquatic habitats under climate change, emphasizing the need for remedial strategies to mitigate drying trends.
Genomic evaluation of hybridization in historic and modern North American Bison (Bison bison)
A comprehensive genomic analysis reveals that nearly all modern North American bison, including those from herds previously believed to be free of hybridization, exhibit signs of recent introgression with domestic cattle. Using whole genome sequencing on 25 bison samples—representing both historic and contemporary populations—the study identified extensive genetic recombination between bison and cattle over the past 200 years. The research employed advanced genomic techniques, including a novel method for detecting cattle haplotypes, to demonstrate that cattle introgression is pervasive across major bison lineages. These findings challenge prior assumptions about hybridization in conservation herds and underscore the necessity of genome-wide assessments to accurately quantify genetic admixture, with significant implications for bison conservation efforts.
Hydrogeochemical Characteristics Refine the Conceptual Model of Groundwater Flow in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada
Groundwater and surface water hydrochemical characteristics in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP), Canada, reveal distinct water types that refine the conceptual model of groundwater flow. Four primary water groups—Ca-SO4-type, Na-Cl-type, Ca-HCO3-type, and mixed waters—were identified, each linked to specific geological formations and processes such as halite dissolution, sulfate mineral dissolution, and carbonate dissolution. Spatial patterns in these water types correlate with hypothesized groundwater flow systems, with Ca-SO4 and Na-Cl-type waters associated with discharge areas of intermediate to regional flow paths, while Ca-HCO3-type waters dominate recharge zones. This study advances understanding of the hydrochemical dynamics in this remote and highly protected region, providing critical insights for comprehensive assessments of natural water conditions.
Impact of burning on soil properties and respiration; Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada; June 2019
Burning boreal forest soil significantly alters its properties and respiration rates, with effects lasting up to six months. Research conducted in Wood Buffalo National Park revealed that fire simulations under high and low moisture conditions increased soil temperature during burns but reduced total carbon (C) content post-fire. Soil pH and nitrogen (N) levels also shifted, while soil respiration varied depending on burn severity and moisture conditions. The study used controlled heat treatments to mimic wildfires, measuring soil properties and respiration over extended periods. Key data, including temperature readings, respiration measurements, and soil chemistry, were collected from 19 sampling sites within the park. These findings contribute to understanding post-fire carbon cycling in boreal ecosystems, a critical factor for ecosystem resilience and management.
LANDMark: an ensemble approach to the supervised selection of biomarkers in high-throughput sequencing data
A novel machine learning ensemble, LANDMark, demonstrates exceptional performance in identifying biomarkers from high-throughput sequencing data, achieving a balanced accuracy of 0.96 ± 0.06 when applied to metabarcoding datasets from Wood Buffalo National Park. Unlike traditional models, LANDMark uses oblique and non-linear decision boundaries, outperforming Random Forest and other classifiers like Linear Support Vector Machines in synthetic tests and real-world applications. Its ability to maintain high predictive accuracy without recursive feature elimination and its capacity to learn smoother non-linear decision boundaries set it apart as a robust tool for biomarker discovery in complex datasets.
Persistence and Serendipity: The Ecological Recovery of North American Bison Populations
North American bison, once dominant herbivores shaping grassland and forest ecosystems from Alaska to Mexico, faced near-extirpation by the early 20th century. However, recent decades have seen remarkable ecological recovery in several locations, including Wood Buffalo National Park, driven by collaborative efforts among private individuals, NGOs, government agencies, and Indigenous peoples. The study highlights successful re-establishment of wild, free-ranging bison populations in Canada, the US, and Mexico, with plans to expand restoration on tribal lands within the next decade. The 2014 Buffalo Treaty, a key milestone, has further propelled these efforts, emphasizing shared stewardship and transboundary conservation. Despite challenges, such as the erasure of bison from public consciousness, this recovery underscores the potential for large-scale wildlife conservation when diverse stakeholders align on long-term goals.
A new lake classification scheme for the Peace-Athabasca Delta (Canada) characterizes hydrological processes that cause lake-level variation
A new lake classification scheme for the Peace-Athabasca Delta, a UNESCO-listed Ramsar Wetland within Wood Buffalo National Park, identifies four distinct patterns of lake-level variation driven by hydrological processes. These include 'Drawdown' (due to evaporation or outflow), 'Stable' levels sustained by rainfall, 'Gradual Rise' from inundation, and 'Rapid Rise' caused by river floodwater input. The study, based on continuous measurements at 50 lakes during the open-water seasons of 2018 and 2019, reveals that river flooding is a significant but under-recognized recharge mechanism, particularly in the Athabasca sector. This classification scheme enhances understanding of lake-level dynamics, which are critical for managing habitat degradation and navigation routes threatened by climate change and upstream energy projects.
Muskrats as a bellwether of a drying delta
A dramatic decline in muskrat populations in Canada’s Peace-Athabasca Deltareveals the severe impact of wetland loss on even generalist species, despite protection. Using population surveys, habitat mapping, and genetic data from 288 individuals, researchers found that while floods can temporarily boost populations to ~500,000, drying reduces them drastically (~10,000). Agent-based modeling showed the population functions as a metapopulation, with dispersal along riparian corridors enabling rapid recovery. Genetic analysis indicated long-term population bottlenecks (Ne: 60–127), suggesting historical declines. The study highlights how wetland loss in protected areas disrupts source-sink dynamics, threatening biodiversity even for adaptable species like muskrats.
Treaty Promises and the Duty to Consult on Legislation
A legal analysis reveals that the Supreme Court of Canada's dismissal of Mikisew Cree First Nation's claim for a duty to consult on environmental legislation contradicts Treaty 8 promises, potentially undermining Indigenous rights. The study argues that the Court's focus on high-level constitutional principles over Treaty 8's specific provisions could have provided an opportunity to reconcile consultation duties with legislative processes without violating separation of powers or parliamentary sovereignty. While practical and normative challenges exist, Treaty 8 offered a unique context for developing this doctrine in a legally sound manner.
A Remote Sensing Approach to Create a 35 Year Time Series of the Hydrology of Perched Basins in the Peace-Athabasca Delta
A comprehensive 35-year time series of hydrological changes in the Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD) within Wood Buffalo National Park reveals dynamic inter-seasonal and inter-annual variations in surface water patterns. Using optical and radar imagery from 1984 to 2020, researchers classified thousands of perched basins into hydrological categories—connected, semi-connected, or isolated—and assigned wetland habitat classes. This remote sensing approach provides critical insights for ecological monitoring, supporting the Wood Buffalo Action Plan's Science and Monitoring Theme. The findings underscore the delta's vulnerability to industrial threats beyond park boundaries, emphasizing the need for integrated research and public education tools like interactive maps that combine scientific data with Indigenous knowledge.
Accessing and Mobilizing “New” Data to Evaluate Emerging Environmental Impacts on Semi-Aquatic Mammals
A proposed increase in industrial water withdrawals from the Athabasca River could significantly impact semi-aquatic mammals, including beavers, muskrats, river otters, and mink, in Wood Buffalo National Park's Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD). This study demonstrates that integrating local knowledge with scientific data can enhance decision-making processes while addressing ecological sensitivities. By employing a multi-faceted approach—combining literature reviews, raw data synthesis, and interviews with local experts—the research successfully contextualized potential environmental impacts across five stages of knowledge mobilization: research, dissemination, uptake, implementation, and impact. The cultural significance of these mammals to river communities further facilitated engagement and co-production of solutions among diverse stakeholders.
Past variation in Lower Peace River ice-jam flood frequency
Research on the Lower Peace River ice-jam flood frequency reveals that flood frequency was declining for decades before river regulation, contrary to prior interpretations suggesting acceleration. Paleolimnological records from perched lakes in the Peace-Athabasca Delta indicate increasing lake evaporation during 1880–1967, aligning with long-term climate-driven declines rather than hydroelectric regulation. This study synthesizes traditional knowledge, historical observations, and paleohydrological data to reconcile uncertainties, providing critical insights for UNESCO's assessment of Wood Buffalo National Park's World Heritage status and its federally funded Action Plan.
Upper Elk Point subgroup paleogeography and evaporite distribution with implications for evaporite dissolution, karstification, and carbonate diagenesis in northeastern Alberta
A new paleogeographic reconstruction of the Upper Elk Point subgroup in northeastern Alberta reveals critical insights into evaporite dissolution, karstification, and carbonate diagenesis. The study identifies the La Crete sub-basin as a hotspot for active gypsification—where anhydrite rehydrates to gypsum due to meteoric inflow—and links this process to the formation of porous dedolomite zones in carbonates. These zones act as aquifers, contributing high-salinity Devonian water inflows to oil sands mine pits. Detailed net-thickness mapping of halite, anhydrite, and gypsum shows that sulphate dissolution progresses top-down, with circular karst lakes serving as surface indicators of underlying meteoric conduits. This research provides a robust framework for understanding evaporite distribution, dissolution patterns, and their implications for both geological processes and economic impacts in the region.
Bat Activity and Use of Hibernacula in Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta
Research in Wood Buffalo National Park reveals significant insights into bat species diversity and seasonal activity, particularly around hibernacula. Over three years of acoustic monitoring and mist netting, scientists documented the presence of Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in the park's cave hibernaculum. Additionally, migratory species such as Hoary Bats (Lasiurus cinereus) and Eastern Red Bats (Lasiurus borealis) were identified through echolocation recordings, with Hoary Bats present from mid-May to early October and Eastern Red Bats from mid-June to early August. Resident bat activity peaked between mid-June and early September. The study also recorded cave temperatures during hibernation, providing a first approximation of species diversity and seasonal patterns in this northern Canadian ecosystem.
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