title: Models of learning at a rural high school: An introduction to localized on-line learning

contributor: Friesen, Norm (nfriesen) (thesis advisor)

format: electronic 151p electronic

subject: Education, Secondary -- Canada -- Computer-assisted instruction

abstract: 2010 marked the 13th consecutive year of declining enrolment in British Columbia public schools. The largest decline within the province’s 60 school districts occurred in Prince George School District #57. Since 1995, the district has experienced a 31% decrease in student numbers (BC Ministry of Education, 2010). School District 57 covers an area of 52,000 square kilometers and located at the southeastern tip of the district is the rural community of Valemount. In September 2010 Valemount Secondary introduced a new model of learning at their school which uses Moodle to offer on-line courses to their own students, with the aim of keeping students enrolled locally, rather than in courses offered by remote, third-party institutions. Using surveys, interviews and observations in the context of a descriptive/exploratory case study at Valemount Secondary, this research project looks at one school’s experiences with implementing a localized on-line learning model. This study shows the success of the program as largely attributable to its compatibility with the unique learning characteristics of rural, adolescent learners.

abstract: Final draft.


identifier: u2: Faculty of Education and Social Work

title: “It’s not perfect - I need to start again!”: Exploring the relationship between self-compassion and creativity in a high school art environment

type: Text thesis

contributor: Freed-Garrod, Joi (jfreed) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Education and Social Work (Degree granting institution)

contributor: Churchley, John (jchurchley) (thesis advisor)

format:
electronic
86p
electronic
vi, 86 pages

subject: Art -- Study and teaching (Secondary)

abstract:
This action research study examines the relationship between self-compassion and creativity amongst high school art students in order to determine if self-compassion plays a positive or negative role in the creative process. This inquiry was undertaken to inform and enrich the researcher’s teaching practice and to lay the foundation for future research. The study took place in the researcher’s classroom with her art students volunteering as subjects.
Relying on multiple sources of evidence, this study was designed with a mixed methods approach to capture both quantitative and qualitative data in order to generate significant and accurate results. This researcher had a strong interest in learning how creativity could be measured amongst individuals and to what extent that number could be influenced by levels of self-compassion. This researcher was also interested in hearing the voices of her students to discover if their perceptions and ideas on creativity and self-compassion correlated with the statistical data.
Forty five (twenty-seven female and eighteen male) students, aged fifteen to eighteen, volunteered to participate in this inquiry by taking the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (Thinking Creatively with Pictures), the Kristen Neff Self-Compassion Scale: short form and by answering two closed and four open-ended interview questions. These tests were administered in the classroom during class time. Data were collected from both tests along with the students’ perception of their own level of perfectionism and level of frustration, and the data were analysed using statistical tools including the Pearson Correlation Analysis, and Minitab Scatterplots. These two statistical tools were chosen to represent the findings from a number of different viewpoints and to answer the two questions that guide this study: do lower levels of self-compassion inhibit creativity in the art making process amongst high school art students?; and do higher levels of self-compassion facilitate creativity in the art making process amongst high school art students?
While the study was limited to a small number of participants, the results strongly suggest there is a correlation between self-compassion and creativity. Students who suffer from low self-compassion exhibited low creativity scores and students with higher levels of self-compassion exhibited higher creativity scores. If self-compassion is understood to be an important component of the creative process, ultimately its nurture should alleviate self-critical tendencies and promote a free approach to creative expression. This research study may contribute insight into this compelling subject in which to date there has been little formal research. It may also provide a starting point for further research into possible interventions that would aid self-compassion amongst art students, thus encouraging creativity to flourish.


title: “Little Bridges” city school case study: A literacy outreach worker’s role in a continuing education program

contributor: Purvey, Diane (dpurvey) (thesis advisor)

format:
electronic
142p
electronic
xii, 142 pages

subject:
Literacy -- Canada
Literacy programs -- Kamloops (B.C.)

abstract: The purpose of this qualitative case study is to examine the role of the Literacy Outreach Worker at ‘City School’, an adult/continuing Education program located in a school district in the British Columbia interior. The primary research question is “How does a Literacy Outreach Worker (LOW) facilitate best practices in supporting an Adult/Continuing Education program?” Two sub-questions are: “How do stakeholders perceive the role of the Literacy Outreach Worker?” and "How can an adult education program's structure and personnel cultivate conditions that empower a LOW to perform the role effectively?” Data were collected through stakeholder interviews, document review and participant observation, and analyzed to derive conceptual categories. Results are presented and discussed in each of the six categories: support, attributes, reentry, liaison, workload and funding. Interpretation of results includes actionable recommendations, calls for a commitment to stable outreach funding and suggests directions for future research.

abstract: adult education

abstract: case study

abstract: literacy

abstract: reentry

abstract: corrections

abstract: support

abstract: funding

abstract: Post-defense edits added Jan. 2013.

abstract: outreach


title: Evolve your history: Learner engagement in the university history classroom explored through augmented reality

contributor: Walton, Patrick (pwalton) (thesis advisor)

contributor: El Miligi, Haytham (hemiligi) (committee member)

format: electronic 129p electronic

subject: Augmented reality -- Education

subject: History -- Study and teaching

subject: History -- Instruction and study

subject: Educational technology -- Canada -- British Columbia

abstract: This thesis presents research results on Augmented Reality (AR) from an educational engagement point of view, sharing findings on how AR can be deployed in history classrooms to potentially increase learner engagement.  In modern historical educational practices, students are often only moderately engaged, and increasing engagement using AR remains largely unexplored.  This study surveyed 19 history students in phase one, and 15 students in phase two with observations in both phases, fieldnotes, and interviews with four British Columbian university students.  Overall data analysis suggested that AR did not increase student engagement under an already engaging history professor, although qualitative data suggested that students were engaged with AR and classmates in this study.  Participant feedback identified that engagement could be increased through dramatic historical topics such as WW 1, using AR with elementary and high school students, AR tutorial sessions, defined timelines, and feedback on potential barriers in the classroom.

abstract: Augmented Reality

abstract: Student engagement

abstract: Neomillennial

abstract: Modern curriculum

abstract: Educational technology

abstract: Teacher engagement

abstract: Historical educational methods


title: Indigenous educational dawn breakers: University retention

format:
electronic
ix, 130 pages
electronic
ix, 130 pages

subject: Indigenous peopls -- Education (Higher) -- Kamloops

subject: Thompson Rivers University

abstract:
There is a dramatic increase in Aboriginal peoples obtaining a post-secondary education but there is still a significant gap compared to other Canadians. This research focused on the challenges and supports experienced by Aboriginal students in completing their program at a Canadian university. Analyzed results from a survey of Aboriginal students at Thompson Rivers University and an Aboriginal talking circle that included Aboriginal Elders, Aboriginal university support staff, and an Aboriginal instructor was used. The medicine wheel was used as a framework for analysis and discussion. The mental aspect of the medicine wheel analysis
revealed that there needs to more academic help for Aboriginal students that includes academic assessments, timely academic interventions, exit interviews, and the use of mentors. The spiritual aspect of the medicine wheel analysis described that there is a need for increased cultural activities, increased access to Elders, and a need for cultural sensitivity from instructors when there is death in the life of an Aboriginal student. The emotional aspect of the medicine wheel analysis took into account that relationships are an important source of support for Aboriginal students, with faculty, Elders, and amongst Aboriginal students. An Aboriginal
student support centre called the Gathering Place was seen as an important space that fosters relationships. The physical aspect of the medicine wheel analysis contradicted past research in that a significant number of Aboriginal students in the survey stated that they had enough financial support. However, this could be attributed to the fact that they are eligible and could be receiving funding from Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada through the Post-Secondary
Education Program. Aboriginal students also identified the need for additional financial support to study part-time that would require a government policy change. Both the city of Kamloops and Aboriginal students identified the need for housing. The Aboriginal population is growing significantly with Aboriginal students completing their university program. Universities and Aboriginal communities need to this into account for future planning and enrollment.


title: Career trajectories of TESOL program graduates

contributor: Densky, Karen (Karen Densky (kdensky)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Walton, Patrick (Patrick Walton (pwalton)) (committee member)

contributor: Garson, Kyra (Kyra garson (kgarson)) (committee member)

format:
electronic
x, 93 pages
electronic

subject: English language -- Study and teaching

subject: Career development

subject: English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers

abstract: The TESOL profession has experienced significant changes in the past decades, and career development in the contemporary era is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. This study aimed at finding the patterns and attractors that contribute to successful careers in TESOL from the perspectives of graduates. Data was collected through a comprehensive survey of international and Canadian TESOL certificate graduates at a mid-size university in British Columbia and through interviews of several of the graduates. The results were analyzed through the lens of forms of Capital (Bourdieu, 1986) and Chaos Theory (Bright & Pryor, 2005). The results indicated a significant diversity of TESOL employment and the varied effectiveness of factors in career development amongst participants. Graduates experienced challenges in terms of their TESOL skills and their job searching skills with both being impacted by the Capitals they hold in the TESOL profession. While TESOL students and early career TESOL professionals need to be more prepared for the complexity and unpredictability of TESOL careers by continuously improving their human Capitals, TESOL teacher educators, TESOL program administrators and TESOL professional organizations must take consideration of the diverse needs of students with different backgrounds and provide long-term career support to build a robust TESOL community

abstract: TESOL

abstract: teacher education

abstract: career trajectories

abstract: complexity

abstract: employment

abstract: career development


title: Professional reflections: Its implementation in instructional leadership and affect on collective-efficacy

contributor: Handford, Victoria (vhandford) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Warren, Bernie (bwarren) (committee member)

format:
electronic
vii, 90 pages

subject: Educational leadership -- Philippines

abstract:
This research investigates instructional leadership practices, examining professional reflection being implemented in high performing private schools in the Philippines and how those practices contribute to collective-efficacy of those schools. The first research question is: how are instructional leaders using professional reflection for teacher growth in their practice? The second research question is: how do those leadership practices contribute to teacher collective-efficacy?
Participants in this study were six school leaders from five different private schools in the Philippines, as well as faculty reporting to those school leaders. The school leaders were interviewed about their current practices, and both school leaders and faculty were given a survey to measure collective-efficacy.
The interviews yielded three overarching themes about what instructional leaders were doing to influence professional reflection: making sure there was time and protocols in place at the beginning of the school year; being intentional about the type, frequency, and relevance of feedback; and creating collaborative environments of distributed leadership where teachers were helping teachers, without the presence of school leaders.
While survey results did not meet the threshold of reliability, they do suggest that faculty who practice peer observation have better trust in colleagues resulting in higher collective-efficacy.


title: The impact of the terrestrial basking event of Hawaiian green sea turtles at Ho'okipa, Maui

contributor: Hull, John S. (John Hull (jhull)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Department of Tourism Management (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
ix, 75 pages

subject:
Tourism -- Hawaii -- Maui
Pacific green turtle -- Hawaii -- Maui
Wildlife watching -- Hawaii -- Maui

abstract: In Maui, marine tourism includes Hawaiian green sea turtles that emerge from the ocean to bask on the sand, at Ho’okipa Beach Park. In no other location in Hawai’i, do the green sea turtles bask so consistently and in the highest numbers, as they do at Ho’okipa Beach. With the event drawing approximately 500 visitors to the beach daily, a local non-profit, Hawai’i Wildlife Fund, aims to protect the turtles by providing interpretation to visitors. This research examined the impact of the terrestrial basking event of the Hawaiian green sea turtles on visitors at Ho’okipa, Maui. The objectives were: 1) to identify if visitors transitioned into more responsible marine tourists by adapting the outcome indicators of visitor satisfaction, learning, attitudes and behaviours, from Orams’ marine-tourist model, 2) measure the interpretation efforts of Hawai’i Wildlife Fund, and 3) help aid in the protection of the basking green sea turtles. Results demonstrated that visitor transition did not occur and could not be confirmed on visitors who expressed good intentions, without the pursuit of longitudinal studies. This outcome notwithstanding, the measured Orams outcome indicators show there is great visitor satisfaction in the event itself and viewing the basking sea turtles in their natural environment. Visitors connected emotionally to the turtles, which facilitated their learning through the interpretation programs of the Hawai’i Wildlife Fund. The programs impacted the viewing experience and demonstrated that emotion can transition visitors. Visitor attitudes reflected the knowledge of what constituted a responsible tourist, yet many disregarded the signage, boundaries, and suggestions of Hawai’i Wildlife Fund volunteers. This reflected a mixed and somewhat conflicted viewing experience for many visitors. The most deficient area of Orams outcome indicators was visitor behaviour. Survey fatigue occurred in this area and while there were visitors who exhibited good intentions, information on how to get involved with Hawai’i Wildlife Fund and help the turtles on holiday and when visitors returned home, was not realized. The findings enable the author to provide the Hawai’i Tourism Authority and Maui County with insight on how this basking event impacts visitors. Results also offer managerial strategies from Orams’ model as recommendations to aid in the visitor and site management that supports Maui County, Hawai’i Wildlife Fund, and the protection of the basking Hawaiian green sea turtles, providing a memorable viewing experience for visitors.

abstract: marine tourism

abstract: sea turtles

abstract: tourism management

abstract: wildlife viewing

abstract: responsible tourist

abstract: Hawaii Wildlife Fund

abstract: Ho’okipa Beach Park


identifier: u2: Master of Science in Environmental Science

title: Temporal and spatial changes in a Wester Rallesnake (Crotalus oreganus) population in British Columbia

contributor: Govindarajulu, Purnima (pgovindarajulu) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Gardner, Wendy (wgardner) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers Universy Master of Science in Environmental Science (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Effective conservation strategies and management plans for wildlife species, especially species-at-risk, require demographic information on populations and an understanding of how local landscapes and management regimes impact them. Historic comparisons are especially important because gradual declines across large landscapes can go unnoticed as wildlife managers in each generation and region start with a lower initial population size estimation. This phenomenon is called the Shifting Baselines syndrome. Replicating a historic study from 1981-1983, I conducted a mark-recapture study in 2018-2020 on Western Rattlesnakes in the North Okanagan region of British Columbia. The study area spanned two habitats with contrasting levels of human influence: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Coldstream Ranch.The former receives an average of 32,500 visitors per month during the active season for snakes, while Coldstream Ranch allows cattle grazing but is off-limits to humans. In the 35 years since the original study, the Park population was estimated to have declined by 50% and the Ranch population by 31%, for an overall decline of 40%. A separate analysis using only adult snakes showed less severe declines, suggesting a lack of recruitment of snakes into the population may be contributing to this decline. Qualitative observations of behavioural differences between sites also prompted a standardized test of defensive behaviour in animals across the two contrasting habitats. Snakes in the area of high human visitation were 9.5× less likely to display defensive rattling behaviour, and allowed approaching investigators 2.5 m closer on average before initiating rattling behaviour, compared to snakes in habitats with negligible human presence.This study highlights the pitfalls of using point estimates of populations to assess the status of a species over a broad geographic area.These results also suggest that protected areas may not necessarily serve as ‘anchors’ for conservation. Further research spanning multiple landscapes and management types is necessary to differentiate between natural and anthropogenic pressures on populations. Revealing the specific pressures that may be at play in varying locations should be addressed for continued conservation.

abstract: Crotalus oreganus

abstract: population estimate

abstract: management

abstract: behaviour

abstract: rattling

abstract: shifting baselines

abstract: Western Rattlesnake

abstract: Northern Pacific Rattlesnake


title: The concept of childhood reflected in British children's literature: 1750-1800

contributor: Reimer, Elizabeth (ereimer) (committee member)

contributor: Piwowar, Cindy (cpiwowar) (committee member)

contributor: Dominik, Annette (adominik) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers Universy Interdisciplinary Studies (Degree granting institution)

abstract: During the eighteenth century in England, a dramatic shift occurred in the perception of the child from that of a miniature adult, inherently errant, to the view of the child as virtuous, closer than adults to God and to nature, and that childhood is a separate and celebrated stage of life. This paper explores how and why this shift occurred by engaging children’s literature of the period as a focus of analysis. My paper situates research on this topic within the historical context and demonstrates that the shift in perception was in response to philosophical, religious, scientific, economic, and political markers prior to and during the eighteenth-century in England. Historical markers, including the Puritan influence, the Enlightenment philosophies, the Industrial and French Revolutions, and Romanticism, affected and shaped both the perceptions of the child and children’s literature during the eighteenth century. My study attempts to show that it is through an analysis of children’s literature prominent during the mid to late 1700s within the historical context that we can have a more comprehensive understanding of how and why the shift in the construction of the child and childhood occurred. I aim to show how this shift is reflected and shaped in the writings of six influential British authors, widely read during the mid to late eighteenth century: James Janeway, John Newbery, Sarah Trimmer, Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Thomas Day, and William Wordsworth.

abstract: Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Education

abstract: Concept of Childhood

abstract: Eighteenth-Century British Children's Literature

abstract: John Locke and Education


title: The influence of place on adventure identity: A personal reflection using photograph elicitation

contributor: Palechuk, Terry (tpalechuk) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Hays, Charles (chays) (committee member)

abstract: In an attempt to gain a clearer view of adventure culture, the nature of this research is an autoethnographic analysis of my adventure experiences through visual depictions of places of importance to me. My reflections as the primary participant in a qualitative analysis on reflection and place as a vessel for identity formation serve as the subject for the application of social science research methods. This research paper explores the use of visual reflection using photo-elicitation in an autoethnographic context. Results suggest that reflecting on place through photo elicitation enables a deeper reflection and easier interpretation with a visual aid to elicit emotions, memories, and learnings from past adventure experiences. Both the images and the reflection serve as data contributions to adventure culture and identity. My reflection shows that place attachments and meanings can be social, nature-based, activity-dependent, and interrelated and participation in adventure tourism activities creates place meaning through social, activity and nature-based interactions that define my adventure identity.Additionally, accomplishments and challenging experiences elicited through the visuals prove the most significant to the formation of my adventure identity.When combined, a holistic understanding of this research emerges in which I use photographs to reflect on and analyze the contribution place has made to my adventure identity.

abstract: Adventure Identity

abstract: Place,

abstract: Place meaning

abstract: Photo elicitation

abstract: Personal reflection

abstract: Adventure tourism


title: Probiotic application of symbiotic bacteria isolated from Western bat species onto captive and field bats to prevent White-Nose Syndrome

contributor: Cheeptham, Naowarat (ncheeptham) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Thompson Rivers Universy Environmental Science (Degree granting institution)

abstract:
Wildlife diseases can have drastic consequences for species at an unprecedented rate. Without proper intervention, diseases can threaten population viability and result in species extinction. The delicate balance of an ecosystem is associated with the niche of an individual species and can quickly become unstable upon the introduction of an invasive disease. Managing these diseases is often quite challenging and typically requires immediate action to prevent further ecological loss. The psychrophilic fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, Pd, has devastated populations of several North American bat species. White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a deadly disease that indirectly causes hibernating bat mortality by growing on the cutaneous surfaces of the bat and causing more frequent arousal periods. In addition to physiological imbalances caused by the degradation of wing tissue, the decreased torpor length and associated increased metabolic rate will burn precious fat stores, cause rapid dehydration, and lead to bat mortality.  Reducing the severity of the Pdinfection could result in lower mortality rates.  Experiments on captive bats and free-flying wild bats were conducted to alter native wing microflora found on Myotis yumanensis, using a prophylactic topical probiotic cocktail. The probiotic contains Pseudomonas bacterial species that were isolated from wings of healthy British Columbia bats and were found to inhibit Pd. The four main objectives of this study were: (1) to develop a technique of applying the anti-Pdmicrobes to Myotis bats roosting in buildings and/or bat boxes; (2) to test whether an microbiome enhanced with anti-Pdmicrobes can be sustained on bat wings; (3) to replicate captive trial tests and procedures in a field trial setting; and (4) to quantify the ability of the probiotic to inhibit Pdgermination/growth on live bat skin. Two captive bat trials at the B.C. Wildlife Park and one lab hibernation trial were conducted. I developed an effective two-step application process of misting a roosting substrate with water, followed by powdered clay containing freeze-dried probiotic cells. Quantitative PCR analyses confirmed successful long term adherence of the probiotic cells to bat boxes, and successful transfer of these microbes to bats’ wings. The probiotic was field-trialed at summer maternity roosts in the Greater Vancouver area, successfully applying probiotic at building and bat box roosts, and through swab sampling of captures of free-flying bats, determined the probiotic was successfully transferred. In a laboratory
iii experiment, I placed probiotic bacteria and Pd onto separated bat patagia, with the goal of adapting and refining tissue explant chamber technology to keep bat skin cells partially alive on which to test the interaction of Pd and probiotic cells. This probiotic tool provides one potential prevention measure for reducing the spread, or at minimum the severity, of WNS in the Pacific Northwest of North America.

abstract: bats

abstract: Pseudogymnoascus destructans

abstract: probiotic

abstract: Pseudomonas

abstract: white-nose syndrome(WNS)

abstract: disease management

abstract: captive trial

abstract: field trial

abstract: prophylaxis

abstract: Myotis yumanensis


title: Indigenous women with heart failure in the Interior of British Columbia: Implications for health care system change

contributor: Fournier, Bonnie (bfournier) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Mahara, Star (smahara) (committee member)

contributor: Bearskin, Lisa Bourque (lbearskin) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University School of Nursing (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Disparities in outcomes for Indigenous women with heart failure (HF) are well documented and clearly linked to: colonization, racism,and discrimination, determinants of health, and a lack of cultural safety in Western health care. The purpose of this research was to center the voices of Indigenous women themselves to inform actions for health system change which has the potential to improve their health outcomes. By utilizing conversational methods within an Indigenous research paradigm, the unique experiences of six Indigenous women within the Interior Health region of BC were explored, providing insight into what Indigenous women need to live well with HF, challenges and barriers to their wellness, and strategies to move forward in a good way.The researcher’s personal reflexive work is woven throughout to demonstrate the journey to decolonize herself and her nursing practice as a non-Indigenous settler-nurse researcher.

abstract: health system change

abstract: Indigenous women

abstract: heart failure

abstract: Indigenous research methodology

abstract: conversational methods

abstract: cultural safety


title: The neighbourhood watch: Does the proximity of neighbors influence nest success in tree swallows (Tachycineta Bicolor)?

contributor: Reudink, Matthew (mreudink) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Joly, Stephen (sjoly) (committee member)

contributor: Mahoney, Sean (smahoney) (committee member)

contributor: Dickinson, Tom (tdickinson) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Department of Biological Sciences (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Due to the similarities in habitat requirements, tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) live in close proximity to other secondary cavity nesters, such as the mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides). While these birds do not compete directly after territory establishment, relationships between neighbours can impact the success of swallows. Theoretical and empirical work suggests that neighbours can increase success through processes of reciprocal altruism in nest defence or decrease success through density-dependent competition. The goal of this study is to understand the impact that conspecific and heterospecific neighbours have on tree swallow reproductive success.To do this, we analyzed 659 tree swallow nest success over an 8-year period. We found that the number of nestlings per nest increased as the distance to the nearest swallow neighbour increased and the number of swallow neighbours within 1000m decreased. Also, we found that the number of fledglings per nest increases as the number of swallow neighbours within 500m increased but decreased when there were more swallows within 250m. Lastly, we found that mountain bluebird neighbours had a marginal negative effect on reproductive success. These results indicate that the relationship between neighbours is scale-dependent, but consistent with reciprocity, density-dependent competition, and the dear enemy phenomenon.


title: Island living reduces ornamental plumage colouration in passerines

contributor: Flood, Nancy (nflood) (committee member)

contributor: Rakobowchuk, Mark (mrakobowchuk) (committee member)

abstract: Island systems provide unique opportunities to explore patterns of plumage evolution. The few studies that have examined colour on islands have indicated a general pattern of reduced brightness, but this research is limited to restricted geographic areas and relatively few species.Here, I tested the hypothesis that island living results in a reduction in bird colouration across the order Passeriformes. To do so,I performed a phylogenetic comparative analysis with 5810 passerine species. Compared to mainland passerines, island females had higher overall plumage colouration scores, while island males showed had no difference in overall plumage colouration. There was no apparent change in the extent of sexual dichromatism.When I focussed on red and blue colour scores independent of the other colours, I found that both red and blue plumage colours were reduced in island passerines when compared to mainland species. These results may demonstrate a reduction in carotenoid and structural-based plumage in island birds, suggesting a relaxation in sexual selection pressures in island species.


title: Effects of weather and age on father colouration in mountain bluebirds

contributor: Donkor, Kingsley (kdonkor) (thesis advisor)

abstract: Birds  exhibit  a  vast  array  of  colours  and ornaments  and  while  much  work  has  focused  on understanding  the  function  and  evolution  of  carotenoid-based  colours  (red,  orange,  yellow), structural colouration (blue, green, purple, iridescent) can also play a key role in sexual signaling by acting as an indicator of individual quality. While several studies have examined how factors such as diet and age may influence structural  colour, few studies have looked at how structural colour may be influenced by variation in weather conditions experienced during the annual moult. In  this  study,  we  examine  variation  in  structural  colour  expression  in  relation  to  age  as  well  as rainfall and temperature during moult for a population of Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) breeding in Western Canada. We looked at feather colouration over a period of nine years by using reflectance spectrometry of rump and tail feathers from male and female Mountain Bluebirds and examined the relationship between feather colour and temperature and rainfall from the previous breeding season as well as age-related colour changes. At a population level, we found that feathers from males and females were more colourful (higher brightness and chroma, hue values shifted more towards UV) as birds aged from juveniles to adults. Within individuals, after they reached adulthood (second breeding season and beyond), male bluebird rump and tail feathers became less colourful.At  a  population  level,  male  Mountain  Bluebirds  exhibited more  colourful feathers following  years  with  higher  August  rainfall,  while  female  Mountain  Bluebirds  expressed more colourful tail feathers after years with higher July and August rainfall. However, these effects were dependent on age. Young female Mountain Bluebirds were most affected by weather conditions, exhibiting  more  colourful  structural  plumage  after  years  with  higher  rainfall  and  higher  August temperatures.  We  suggest  thathigher  rainfall  may  increase  insect  abundance  and  thus  improve food intake and overall condition of Mountain Bluebirds, and we suggest that males and females may be affected differently due to differences in behavior during the breeding and post breeding periods. This is one of the first studies to show how both age and weather conditions may affect structural colours in birds.


title: Is island life turning birds into giants?: An assessment of Foster's Rule across all birds.

contributor: Thompson Rivers Universy Department of Biological Sciences (Degree granting institution)

abstract: The  differences  in  the  body  sizes  observed in  island  birds  versus  their  closest  mainland relatives have puzzled biologists for decades. First noted in other vertebrate groups by Dr. Bristol Foster, the general trend is usually summarized as small mainland species evolving larger bodies on islands,while typically large mainland species shift towards dwarfism. With many examples in both living and extinct fauna, the overall phenomenon became known as Foster’s rule. Herein, we examine Foster’s rule as it applies to class Aves (the group that contains all  modern  birds).  We analyzed the body mass (n=9,316), body length (n=7,260) and wingspan (n=708) of avian species from around the world. To account for phylogeny, we employed the use of multiple independent phylogenetic generalized least squares analyses (PGLS). We first analyzed class Aves as a whole and  then  looked at  each individual order separately. We found support for Foster’s rule in class Aves overall, island  species  heavier  and  longer  than  mainland  species.  Wingspan  did  not  vary between island and mainland species for the class as a whole. Looking at each order, we found that body size varied between islands and mainland in Anseriformes, Accipitriformes, Charadriiformes, Galliformes, Piciformes, Pelecaniformes, and Strigiformes. Whereas body mass in Galliformes and Piciformes increased on islands, Anseriformes decreased. Similarly, body length in Piciformes and Pelecaniformes  increased,  while  Anseriformes  and  Strigiformes  length  decreased.  Wingspan increased  in  both  Accipitriformes  and  Charadriiformes. Although we found support for Foster’s rule,  the  direction  of  effects  varied  by  order,  and  by  body  size  metric,  indicating  that  the biogeographical pattern is not generalized across class Aves as has been previously suggested, and underscores  the  idea  that  body  size  evolution  may  be  driven  by  a combination  of  stochastic  and deterministic forces specific to bird orders.


title: Citizen science reveals recent shifts in migration routes and breeding latitude in North American Bluebirds

abstract: Both  spatial  and  temporal  shifts  to  the migratory  patterns of  birds  have  become  more common  as climate change and habitat alterations have continued to impact ecosystems and the species dependent on them. Our ability to track these changes for individual species is limited by costs  associated  with  current  tracking methods such  as  GPS  and geolocator  technology. In  this study,  we  used eBird  citizen  science  data  collected  over  ten  years on Eastern (Sialia.  sialis), Western  (S.  mexicana)  and  Mountain  (S.  currucoides)  bluebirds.  Using  a  Generalized  Additive Model, we produced smoothed migration paths for all three species over each season from 2009 to 2018. We asked whether there were changes over this ten-year period in the timing of spring and fall  migration, longitude  of  migration,  and maximum  breeding  ground  latitude.We  found  that Eastern Bluebirds shifted their migratory routes westward, whereas Western Bluebirds shifted their migratory routes eastwards; there was no significant change in the migratory patterns of Mountain Bluebirds over the same period. Based on our analysis there was no change in the migratory timing or  speed  of  any of  the species  from  2009  to 2018; however,there  were  interesting  interspecific differences  in  timing  and  speed  of  migration  that  may  be  the  result  of  divergent  migratory strategies. Our analysis is one of the first to compare shifts in the migratory timing and distributions of multiple closely related species of passerines. By comparing these shifts, we found that bluebirds are in fact altering many aspects of their migration in response to local and more broadly ranging geographical factors. Further work is needed to determine the cause of these shifts at these different scales.


title: Determination of the octanol:water partition coefficient of indolicidin and indolicidin45 using micellar electrokinetic chromatography

contributor: Huttunen-Hennelly, Heidi (hhuttunen) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Cheeptham, Naowarat (ncheeptham) (committee member)

contributor: Donkor, Kingsley (kdonkor) (committee member)

abstract: Antimicrobial peptides are a potential new generation of drugs that are extremely diverse and could help to fight the imminent threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In this study, we attempt to determine the octanol:water partition coefficient for the antimicrobial peptides indolicidin (amino acid sequence: ILPWKWPWWPWRR-NH2) and its derivative indolicidin45 to better understand their potential mechanisms of action when attacking pathogens. The partition coefficient is defined as the ratio of concentrations of a solute in two immiscible liquids at equilibrium. It helps determine the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of an analyte. Indolicidin45 has its fourth and fifth highly hydrophobic tryptophan residues relative to the N-terminus swapped with less hydrophobic alanines. This reduced the cytotoxicity while increasing the bioactivity of the derived molecule. Capillary electrophoresis is the instrument that separates analytes based on their relative electrophoretic mobilities and was used for this study. Micellar electrokinetic chromatography is a technique done with capillary electrophoresis which can help to determine the capacity factors and partition coefficients of the peptides for this study. This technique utilizes micelles as a pseudo-stationary phase; the analyte can then partition between the micelles and the aqueous buffer running through the capillary. The capacity factor of the peptides was first needed in order to determine the partition coefficients. The capacity factors of indolicidin and indolicidin45 were  determined to be 0.21 +/- 0.04 and 0.23 +/- 0.04, respectively. From these values the partition coefficients were estimated based off a Log P vs. Log k’ calibration curve of known values. The log of the partition coefficients for indolicidin and indolicidin45 were determined to be 1.55 ± 0.04  and 1.62 ± 0.04, respectively. Since these Log P values seen are greater than 1, they suggest that both peptides are hydrophobic. As a result, a potential mode of action for these AMPs to kill pathogens may be to bind and disrupt/lyse the microbial membrane leading to cell death. As potential drugs, this is also promising as it is important that they would be able to cross the bacterial cell membrane to attack pathogens which more hydrophilic molecules cannot do. Some future directions would be to determine the partition coefficient but with the vesicular electrokinetic chromatography method as well as looking into other derivatives of indolicidin for better potential to one day be used as drugs to fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria.


title: Characterization of the antimicrobial secondary metabolites produced by the cave-dwelling Streptomyces sp. ICC1 strain

abstract: The desolate environment of the Iron Curtain Cave in Chilliwack, British Columbia, houses the Streptomyces sp. ICC1 strain shown to secrete antimicrobial secondary metabolite(s). Effective against both laboratory and multi-drug resistant strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcusaureus, the bioactivity has been thought to arise from the resilient physiology and specialized metabolic pathways that are known to exist within extreme-condition microbial species. Following optimization methods through liquid organic solvent extractions and both analytical and preparative reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography techniques, the bioactive secondary metabolite(s) have been reasoned to exhibit both polar and non-polar substituents. Continued structural elucidation via one-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic spectroscopy suggested an unlikely peptidic nature to the antimicrobial compound(s) produced by the cave-dwelling Streptomyces sp. ICC1 strain. Therefore, further instrumental analysis on pure samples must be performed to reveal the true molecular nature of the bioactive metabolite(s), as well as mode-of-action analyses.


title: Reconciliatory Action Research: Building Foundations of Allyship Behaviour in a Science 10 Classroom

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Education and Social Work (Degree granting institution)

abstract: The purpose of this research was to build and implement curriculum that aims to support grade 10 science high school students with building empathy as a foundation of Reconciliation towards allyship behavior. This study hoped to answer the questions: In what ways does a curriculum that aims to foster empathy as a  foundation for allyship behaviour impact the developing empathy of science 10 students? Specifically: Is empathy developing? What kinds of empathy are developing? What are the conditions that allow empathy to develop? This qualitative study analyzed data through coding, identifying emergent codes, and thematic analysis. Students appeared to be developing in the four types of empathy considered in the study: cognitive empathy, intercultural cognitive empathy, affective   empathy, and intercultural affective empathy through the opportunities offered in the course. Four pillars (identity development, building relationships, safety, and intercultural opportunities) emerged as important conditions to foster empathy development along what the researcher called an empathy arc-the students’ empathy (cognitive and affective), and intercultural empathy (cognitive and affective) developmental journey.

abstract: interculturally sensitive learning environments

abstract: cognitive empathy

abstract: affective empathy

abstract: intercultural empathy,

abstract: First Peoples’ Principles of Learning

abstract: Reconciliation

abstract: Reconciliatory action

abstract: interculturally sensitive teaching environments


title: Exploring Multicultural Poetry in British Columbia’s and Ontario’s Secondary School Curricula

contributor: Handford, Victoria (vhandford) (committee member)

contributor: Latremouille, Jodi (jlatremouille) (committee member)

contributor: Ramirez, Gloria (gramirez) (committee member)

abstract: By adopting a critical pedagogy lens, and conducting a Textual Analysis, this thesis examined the literatures on secondary school English Language Arts curricula of British Columbia (BC), and English curricula of Ontario (ON). With the research question –how (if at all) are the English Language Arts curricula of BC and the English curricula of ON that focus on poetry, influenced by multiculturalism? – I studied the strengths and weaknesses of both the curriculums, particularly with their focus on multiculturalism and presented the implications of the limitations that emerged. The strengths of secondary school BC English Language Arts curricula focused on multicultural poetry are;core competencies fostering intercultural communication skills, big ideas nurturing empathy, collectivism, Freirean critical consciousness and praxis, appreciation of First Peoples’ traditions, promotion of social justice, flexibility and interdisciplinary space for teachers and students. The strengths of secondary school ON Englis hcurricula focused on multicultural poetry are; student autonomy, critical classroom discussions, and fostering of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. The study also assessed the implications of three major limitations: 1. lack of teacher prompts and vagueness around the implementation of BC curricula, 2. Overcrowding of ON curricula, and 3. Dearth of specific multicultural contents such as textbooks or resources for classroom perusal.This study found that poetry within the curricula of BC and ON, is only minimally influenced by multiculturalism. My thesis contributes to the English Language Arts/English curricula of BC and ON, teacher education programs and to the larger discourse of Canadian multiculturalism by providing suggestions for curriculum developers, policy makers and teacher educators.

abstract: curricula

abstract: Multiculturalism

abstract: poetry

abstract: secondary school


title: Xqéntwecw – Learning a Language Together: Secwepemctsín Mentor Apprenticeship Immersion

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Education and Social Work (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Indigenous language revitalization is a growing movement in Canada, specifically in British Columbia which has 34 distinct Indigenous languages (FPCC, 2018). Secwepemctsín, the language of the Secwépemc peoples in the Interior of British Columbia, is one such language that is considered critically endangered (April 18, 2021, retrieved from http://endangeredlanguages.com/lang/1472). Current established methods of language revitalization within Secwepemcúl̓ecw, the land of the Secwépemc, focus on community language programming, K-12 public and Band school language classes, and the Chief Atahm immersion school. Other than the immersion school, new language speakers are not emerging from these language programs. To enhance the growth of new speakers, and support Secwepemctsín revitalization efforts, new methods of language revitalization, including the Mentor Apprentice Program and the piloting of the Direct Acquisition Model developed by the Salish School of Spokane, are being implemented to augment the dearth of adult speakers. This study aims to explore the effects of the Mentor Apprentice Program model on the development of language and cultural fluency, the methods of language instruction within that model, and a brief exploration of how morphological analysis fits into this picture. Relationality and cultural immersive environments were found to be the most effective means of enhancing language development. As this research examined only successful participants within the Mentor Apprentice Program, further exploration into those dyads that did not continue within the language program would be beneficial, as well as further examining the nature of morphological analysis in the training of future mentors and how traditional storytelling (legends and relayed experiences) complements this research area.

abstract: language revitalization

abstract: mentor apprentice program

abstract: immersion

abstract: Indigenous

abstract: Secwépemc

abstract: Secwepemctsín


title: The influence of prolonged sitting with brief hourly stair climbing on postprandial circulating microvesicles

contributor: Rakobowchuk, Mark (mrakobowchuk) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Van Hamme, Jonathan (jvanhamme) (committee member)

contributor: Little, Jonathan (jlittle) (committee member)

abstract: Sedentary behaviour is a major risk factor for chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, including impairments in vascular function. Physical inactivity such as prolonged sitting alters concentrations of circulating microvesicles. Vascular function is partially regulated by microvesicles (MVs), as the molecules they transport facilitate cell-to-cell communication leading to structural and functional changes of blood vessels and their component  cells. Along with inactivity impairments, high  carbohydrate diet transiently impedes postprandial vascular function. However, regular and acute aerobic exercise counteracts this dysfunction. Further, interrupting prolonged sitting with short bouts of exercise improves cardiorespiratory fitness and postprandial markers of cardiometabolic health, particularly in overweight individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of hourly stair snack interruptions to prolonged sitting and high or low carbohydrate  diets on postprandial circulating MVs in two populations. Individuals of healthy weight (n = 11; males) and elevated waist circumference (n = 3/5; males/females) completed three experimental trials in a randomized crossover design: i) sedentary with low carbohydrate meals, ii) sedentary with high carbohydrate meals, and iii) hourly stair snacks (ascending 55 steps in 15-30s) with high carbohydrate meals. MVs of leukocyte, granulocyte, platelet, activated-, and apoptotic-endothelial cell derivations were quantified using a Cytoflex flow cytometer. Linear mixed model analysis demonstrated that neither diet (high or low carbohydrate) nor incorporation of hourly stair snacks altered concentrations of postprandial circulating MVs from pre-prandial baseline state throughout a five-hour bout of sitting. An absence of influence was observed in both healthy weight individuals and those with elevated waist circumference. Minor differences were observed in select MV populations with diet or condition; however, the transient changes are likely not physiologically significant given the natural variability of MV populations in circulation. This result is consistent with the limited volume and intensity of the stair snack intervention and complexity of factors influencing MV release that extend beyond the scope of the study. The results of this study suggest that an acute bout of prolonged sitting does not alter concentrations of circulating MVs and this influence is not changed by carbohydrate consumption. These findings are an important step in beginning to understand how sedentary behaviour alters vascular function and for establishing practical and accessible exercise interventions.

abstract: Microvesicles

abstract: Prolonged sitting

abstract: Flow Cytometry

abstract: Postprandial microvesicles

abstract: Stair Climbing

abstract: Brief intense exercise


title: The Value of Ecosystem Services in British Columbia’s Parks and Protected Areas

type: StillImage thesis


title: Pain in the Bass: Diet and Distribution of Invasive Smallmouth Bass (micropterus Dolomieu) in Cultus Lake, British Columbia

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Department of Natural Resource Sciences (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Invasive species are widely recognized as the second greatest threat to biodiversity loss. With rapid international trade, unpredictable human activity, and a lack of preventative action, these introduced species are spreading more each year. Invasive predatory fish can have devastating consequences on native species and are near impossible to eradicate from a water body without the use of chemicals. As a result, effective measures for fish suppression needs to be creative, sustainable, and well-planned. Since their illegal introduction in 2017, small mouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) have proliferated in Cultus Lake, British Columbia and impacts on two species-at-risk, Cultus Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and Cultus pygmy sculpin (Cottus aleuticus) are unknown. By completing a diet analysis and monitoring bass movement, we documented their impacts and laid the groundwork for a sustainable suppression plan. For the diet analysis, bass (n = 204) were sampled in spring/summer 2020-2021 in Cultus Lake. DNA barcoding (n = 145) and a visual analysis (n = 204) of diet was completed. Diet composition, factors influencing the predation of species-at-risk, and dietary shifts were analyzed using R. DNA analysis identified 32 more taxa at the family level than morphological analysis. Multiple logistic regression showed that bass were more likely to predate on salmon within the spawning grounds, and over 90% of bass had sculpinin their diets. Diet composition did not shift as bass size changed, demonstrating a strong predation on fish from 100 mm to > 300 mm total length. Then, to monitor bass movement, 43 bass were tagged with acoustic transmitters, and a receiver array was constructed in the lake. The bass were tracked for 16 months, and snorkel surveys supplemented the movement data. Bass are spawning in a 1 km stretch along the north shore of Cultus Lake, starting in early May until mid-June. They remain above the thermocline throughout the summer until water temperature drops, and they migrate offshore to deeper water for a less active winter period, eventually resurfacing in April for spawning. The ideal timing for suppression is during this congregated spawning period when adult male bass remain on the nests in 0.5 – 2.5 m of water for 6 weeks. We recommend trialing spearfishing and nest destruction in a controlled setting to suppress the population for the following reasons (1) bass are congregated in a 1 km stretch, and nests are not deeper than 2.5 m (an easy depth for snorkeling) (2) after snorkel surveys in 2021, we know that male bass guarding the nests do not move until snorkelers are closer than 1 – 2 m (3) adult spawning males are large enough for spearfishing (4) nests with eggs/fry can then be destroyed via burial, electrofishing, or natural predation from white suckers. We also recommend continuing outreach programs to aid in a preventative approach to further reduce the spread of invasive species.

abstract: British Columbia

abstract: Invasive

abstract: Micropterus dolomieu

abstract: Acoustic Telemetry

abstract: Species-at-Risk

abstract: Diet


title: Benchmarking penalized regression methods in machine learning for single-cell RNA sequencing data

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Science (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Single-Cell RNA Sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology has enabled the biological research community to explore gene expression at a single-cell resolution. By studying differences in gene expression, it is possible to differentiate cell clusters and types within tissues. One of the major challenges in a scRNA-seq study is feature selection from high dimensional data. There are several statistical and machine learning methods available to solve this problem but their performances across data sets lack systematic comparison. In this research, we benchmark different penalized regression methods which are suitable for scRNA-seq data.  Results on four different scRNA-seq datasets show that Sparse Group Lasso (SGL) implemented by the SGL R pack-age performs better than other methods in terms of area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). The computation time for different methods varies between data sets with SGL having the least average  computation time. Based on our findings, we propose a new method for scRNA-seq clustering which applied SGL on a preselected subset of genes. These selected genes are the union of top important genes from the ridge, lasso, elastic net, and droplasso methods.  The proposed method demonstrates an improvement in AUC compared to SGL and other methods as well.

abstract: R Programming Language

abstract: Single-Cell RNA Sequencing

abstract: Machine Learning

abstract: LASSO

abstract: Feature Selection

abstract: High Dimensional Data


identifier: u2: Department of Natural Resource Sciences

title: Examining the effects of mowing, irrigation, and fertilization on plant productivity and soil carbon levels of perennial cropping systems

contributor: Gardnef, Wendy (wgardner) (committee member)

abstract: With the growing concern of climate change, there is increasing pressure on the agricultural industry to alter management techniques to become more environmentally sustainable while still maintaining production of quality crop yields. Three commonly used management techniques, mowing, irrigation, and fertilization, were tested on plant and soil characteristics to determine the best practices for managing land to be both productive and sustainable. Two enclosures were established on a perennial cropping system in the interior of British Columbia. One enclosure was constructed on active cropland that was irrigated and fertilized. A second enclosure was located on abandoned cropland which had not been irrigated or fertilized for over twenty years. Within the active  enclosure,  different mowing heights were implemented, ranging from zero to thirty centimetres at five-centimetre intervals. Treatments were applied twice throughout both 2020 and 2021 growing seasons. Measures of plant community dynamics, plant productivity, forage quality, and soil properties were taken from within both enclosures throughout the duration of the study. Results showed that each of these three management techniques effected plant productivity and soil carbon. Mowing height altered forage species composition, plant productivity, forage quality, and soil properties. Use of a 10 cm cutting height produced highest levels of plant productivity and soil carbon. The abandonment of irrigation and fertilization was shown to cause unfavourable plant community changes along with decreases in plant productivity, forage quality, and soil carbon. These results provide insight on the use of these three management techniques within perennial cropping systems and their effects on levels of plant productivity and soil carbon. The implications of this study allow producers throughout interior British Columbia to make informed decisions on how to manage their land for optimum productivity and environmental sustainability.

abstract: mowing

abstract: sustainable agriculture

abstract: compensatory growth

abstract: soil carbon

abstract: forage production


title: Utilizing indigenous prescribed burning methods to reclaim a tailings storage facility in the Southern Interior of British Columbia

contributor: Fraser, Lauchlan (lfraser) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Cohen-Fernández, Anayansi (committee member)

abstract: Mine reclamation and closure plans have historically focused on returning disturbed lands to a vegetative community, often without consideration of the pre-existing natural vegetation. The resulting plant communities are often dominated by non-desirable, long-lived, sod-forming wheat grasses often utilized for agronomic purposes due to their heartiness and ability to grow anywhere. Once established, these plant communities often dominate, restricting native species, and enter a state with little successional advancement. As mining regulatory standards and local community engagement between stake holders have increased, the closure objective of mines have also changed.Community-engaged closure,which places more value on ecosystem function and native biodiversity,are now often the standard in Canada.Highland Valley Copper Minehas committed to working with Indigenous communities, specifically the Nlaka’pamux peoples to improve their cultural awareness and inclusion with the objective of creating sustainable benefits for Indigenous communities while also securing social license with the community to maintain business operations. Prescribed burning was traditionally used by the Nlaka’pamux people to manage their landscapes and there was interest to reintegrate fire as a management technique. A unique industry/Indigenous relationship formed to collaborate on the use of fire to reintroduce native species on a formerly reclaimed tailings storage facility. As large-scale disturbances, notably fire, have historically structured grasslands both naturally and through Indigenous cultural use, and can alter successional trajectory, I tested the effects of prescribed burning in a 24-year-old mine-reclaimed, non-desirable,grass dominated,closed tailings storage facility. Prescribed burning was applied as a means of shifting the existing plant community towards a native grassland.The objectives of this thesis were to:1) investigate if prescribed burning can successfully act as a disturbance to transition a non-desirable, low-diversity, agronomic vegetative community to a native grassland;2) examine the role fire intensity plays in the vegetative community when trying to establish native species under controlled conditions and;3) investigate the level of involvement that the Nlaka’pamux peoples played in the prescribed fire project and examine the practices that industry professionals employed to connect with this community. Fire severity was modified within the greenhouse trial at three levels (high, moderate, low) and held constant (low) in the field. Fire severity adjustments were made via modifying the fuel load and time of burning per treatment. Plant community composition shifted significantly within the greenhouse because of the burning treatment. Greater effects were found in the greenhouse trial, likely due to better control of the burn, such that native species colonization was observed.These results indicate that prescribed burning can play a significant role in structuring ecosystems and allowing the re-establishment of native plant species. My results also suggest that the level of Indigenous involvement represents a relationship formed out of necessity that was demonstrated by the role that the Nlaka’pamux fulfilled throughout the implementation of the project. The findings of this study provide important considerations for both mine reclamation practices and industry/ Indigenous relationships.

abstract: Indigenous engagement

abstract: Mine Reclamation

abstract: grassland restoration

abstract: prescribed fire

abstract: traditional ecological knowledge

abstract: semiarid grasslands

abstract: native species


title: Vertical Farming: A Viable Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture

contributor: Mehta, Michael (mmehta) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Clark, F. G. Paul (fclark) (committee member)

contributor: Dominik, Annette (adominik) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Interdisciplinary studies (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Although vertical farming requires further research regarding the potential effects on employment and food security in rural, agriculturally based communities, it can be a sustainable, technology-rich approach that can mitigate adverse environmental impacts caused by the agriculture industry while providing secure food options for a growing urban population. Food products are grown in an indoor, vertical stacking system independent of climate and weather patterns. It is sustainable because it uses significantly less land and water than open-field farms, and it does not require pesticides or herbicides. Vertical farming is an innovative system that uses technology to control factors such as light, temperature, CO2concentration, and nutrients to produce higher yields and nutritious, fresh products. Because of these factors, there is a substantially reduced risk of losing crops due to climate change, no soil erosion or surface run-off, and the distance for transporting products to consumers may be less. Thus, the agriculture industry can implement vertical farming to shift food production to become more sustainable for the environment and protect the biodiversity of our ecosystems. This thesis analyzes several critical dimensions of the vertical farming system, including the production, technology, opportunities, implementation into urban economies, and the factors requiring improvement or further research. The thesis also compares vertical farming to traditional open-field farming practices.

abstract: Vertical farming

abstract: agriculture

abstract: environment

abstract: sustainability

abstract: consumers


title: Exploring the lived experiences of providing pediatric palliative care on registered nurses working outside of children’s hospitals

contributor: Fehr, Florriann (ffehr) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Nursing (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Pediatric palliative care (PPC) is a unique component of palliative care. While palliation is an integral part of adult nursing, the palliation of a child is uncommon. Some research has been published on the effects of providing PPC on nurses, patients, and families. There is an evidence gap on the effects of providing PPC on nurses working outside of children’s hospitals. This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study within a humanistic nursing theory context focused on identifying the personal effects of providing PPC on nurses working with the pediatric population in the Interior of British Columbia. Data collection included a semi-structured in-depth interview with 14 participants. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify four themes to describe participants stories of education, experience, debriefing, and resilience. Each theme contained several subthemes. This study highlights the need for increased education and institutional supports for Registered Nurses providing PPC outside of children’s hospitals in the Interior of British Columbia.

abstract: Pediatric Palliative Care

abstract: Nurse

abstract: Qualitative

abstract: Descriptive Phenomenology

abstract: Humanistic Nursing

abstract: Reflexive Thematic Analysis

abstract: Nursing Education

abstract: Occupational Stress

abstract: Debriefing

abstract: Resilience

abstract: Loss and Grief

abstract: Parent as Expert


title: Examining the soil legacy effects of spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)

contributor: Baldwin, Lyn (lbaldwin) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers Universy Faculty of Science (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) is the most aggressive invasive forb in North American grasslands. Since its arrival, it has spread from the west coast of North America and reached far east. It has been able to accomplish this via the production of many small seeds per plant, and by altering soil conditions making it difficult for native plants to grow in. Control efforts have been extensive.Broadcast chemical controls have been applied, as well as biological and physical controls; however, despite these interventions, spotted knapweed continues to have negative effects on ecosystems and their functions. Spotted knapweed may have a negative legacy effect in the soils they inhabit, which perpetuates even after removal of this plant. To test for potential soil legacy effects, a greenhouse experiment was devised in which C. stoebe and rough fescue (Festuca campestris) were grown in different soil types. Activated carbon and pulp mill fly ash were used as soil amendments in each soil type in an attempt to return soils to a pristine state, and we found that F. campestris grew best in unamended invaded soils during a 90-day growing period. Pre-growing conditions of this soil displayed lower levels of both carbon and nitrogen compared to other soil types, indicating that F. campestris grew best in less hospitable conditions. As this was an unexpected result, a field experiment was designed in which different concentrations of ash were applied to transplanted rough fescue plugs; however, plug viability tapered off quickly after transplanting. Conclusions drawn from this study indicate ash as a potential soil amendment for knapweed-affected soils with directions for use in future research. Further investigation into the use of ash as a broadscale solution to negative soil legacy effects is warranted. Ash, an industrial waste product, could be potentially useful in areas heavily invaded by spotted knapweed in order to deter the spread of these noxious weeds.

abstract: invasive

abstract: spotted knapweed

abstract: fly ash

abstract: activated carbon

abstract: rough fescue

abstract: greenhouse


contributor: Dewan, Hasnat (hdewan) (committee member)

contributor: Kimmel, Randall (rkimmel) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers Universy School of Business and Economics (Degree granting institution)

abstract: This study provides deeper insight into the relationship between First Nation government investing policy and community wellbeing in Canada, and evaluates how geographic remoteness and population level influence this relationship. Community wellbeing is measured by Census data and investing policy is measured by First Nation government financial statements. This study utilizes descriptive statistics, Pearson correlational analysis, and linear regression. The findings demonstrate that own-source revenue maintain positive associations with most community wellbeing measures. A negative association is identified between most community wellbeing measures and higher ratios of both trust fund assets and tangible capital assets. Transfer revenue from Indigenous organizations have greater community wellbeing outcomes compared to direct transfers from the federal/provincial governments. Geographic remoteness is associated with lower education levels, lower housing conditions, and higher Indigenous language knowledge. These new insights can inform Indigenous leaders as they shape policy development for the benefit of First Nations people.

abstract: financial

abstract: First Nation

abstract: Indigenous

abstract: community wellbeing

abstract: investing

abstract: policy

abstract: regression

abstract: correlation


title: Primer development methodology for RT-qPCR genetic studies of Lodgepole Pine Dwarf Mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum)

contributor: Urban, Joanna (jurban) (committee member)

contributor: Donkor, Kingsley (kdonkor) (committee member)

abstract: The genus Arceuthobium (Dwarf Mistletoe) of the family Santalaceae, is a group of dioecious parasitic flowering plants with a unique, explosive, seed dispersal system. Arceuthobium americanum infects Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta var.latifolia) in North Western America and is considered as a pest in the forestry industry. Mistletoe is also an ecologically important organism, promoting wildlife habitat, and biodiversity. Current literature on Arceuthobium shows incomplete understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying explosive seed dispersal, and critical mechanisms linking parasitic infection and mortality of the Lodgepole Pinehost. Experimentation using Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) measures the expression of genes, giving insight into the molecular mechanisms.Determination of stably expressed genes, known as reference genes, is an important step for conducting reproducible experiments and to obtain reliable RT-qPCR expression data. The objective of this thesis is to create an in silico methodology to develop primer pairs to target reference genes as a basis to study Dwarf Mistletoe using RT-qPCR. Highly conserved genes, such as Ubiquitin, Actin, EF-a, and GAPDH, are targeted using sequences from same family Santalaceae plant Viscum album, model organism Arabidopsis thaliana, as well as Solanum lycopersicum, Coffea canephora, Paeonia suffruticosa, Zea mays, Kalanchoe dalgremontiana, Triticum aestiyum, and Nicotiana benthamiana. Algorithms designed to develop primer pairs, Primer-3, Beacon Designer 8, and Primer-BLAST, were used to determine primers in published sequence sof the Arceuthobium oxycedriaquaporin gene, a gene of interest in seed dispersal in A. americanum. In experimental validation, the primer pair candidates taken from literature produced no significant results in RT-qPCR. A primer pair produced from primer development algorithm Primer-BLAST using the Arceuthobium oxycedriaquaporin gene sequence provided consistent and reliable RT-qPCR data. Although a reliable reference gene was not developed, the research presented in this thesis establishes methodological steps for insilico RT-qPCR primer design, it demonstrates that genetic sequences from organisms within the same genus can be used for RT-qPCR primer design, and it provides a primer pair for future studies of the A. americanum aquaporin gene using RT-qPCR.

abstract: Parasitic Plant

abstract: Dwarf Mistletoe

abstract: Real Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction

abstract: Primer Development

abstract: Gene Expression


title: Credit risk modeling: A comparative analysis of artificial and deep neural networks

contributor: Mahbobi, Mohammad (mmahbobi) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Kimiagari, Salman (skimiagari) (committee member)

contributor: Tomal, Jabed (jtomal) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University School of Business and Economics (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
x, 86 pages

subject: Credit -- Risk assessment

abstract: Credit risk assessment plays a major role in the banks and financial institutions to prevent counterparty risk failure. One of the primary capabilities of a robust risk management system must be detecting the risks earlier, though many of the bank systems today lack this key capability which leads to further losses (MGI, 2017). In searching for an improved methodology to detect such credit risk and increasing the lacking capabilities earlier, a comparative analysis between Deep Neural Network (DNN) and machine learning techniques such as Support Vector Machines (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) were conducted. The Deep Neural Network used in this study consists of six layers of neurons. Further, sampling techniques such as SMOTE, SVM-SMOTE, RUS, and All-KNN to make the imbalanced dataset a balanced one were also applied. Using supervised learning techniques, the proposed DNN model was able to achieve an accuracy of 82.18% with a ROC score of 0.706 using the RUS sampling technique. The All KNN sampling technique was capable of achieving the maximum true positives in two different models. Using the proposed approach, banks and credit check institutions can help prevent major losses occurring due to counterparty risk failure.

abstract: credit risk

abstract: deep neural network

abstract: artificial neural network

abstract: support vector machines

abstract: sampling techniques


title: A multi-scale investigation of species richness, productivity and nutrient relationships in herbaceous plant communities of the grasslands of Southern Interior British Columbia

contributor: Fraser, Lauchlan (lfraser) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Science (Degree granting institution)

contributor: Gardner, Wendy (wgardner) (committee member)

contributor: Van Hamme, Jonathan (jvanhamme) (committee member)

format: electronic 178p electronic

subject: Soils -- Carbon content -- British Columbia

subject: Soils -- Nitrogen content -- British Columbia

subject: Soils -- Phosphorus -- British Columbia

subject: Soils -- Potassium -- British Columbia

subject: Nutrient cycles -- British Columbia

abstract: Philip Grime's humped-back model predicts that species richness reaches a maximum at intermediate productivity and drops off at low and high productivities. Soil nutrient availability is known to influence primary productivity and plant species richness. In general, productivity increases with increasing soil nutrient availability, and experiments that increase soil nutrients often show increases in biomass with corresponding decreases in species richness; as such, certain patterns in soil nutrients are expected to coincide with the humped-back model. Scale is also an important factor, as the relationship between species richness and productivity may vary with scale. Objectives of this work were (1) to test the explicit humped-back model prediction that the relationship between species richness and productivity is unimodal; (2) to test implicit humped-back model predictions that species richness is related to nutrients that are tightly associated with productivity, such as carbon and nitrogen, by a unimodal relationship and identify patterns between soil nutrients, leaf nutrients, productivity and species richness; and (3) to evaluate the influence of increasing scales from 1 m2 to 64 m2 on relationships found between species richness, productivity and nutrients. This was done using biomass and litter collections and species richness counts from 14 multi-scale grids (8 m × 8 m grids containing 64, 1 m2 plots), soil samples from a subset of four of the 14 multi-scale grids, and leaf samples from a subset of nine adjacent plots in each of the four multi-scale grids that were sampled for soil nutrients. Total carbon and nitrogen contents in soil and leaf samples were analyzed with a CE-440 Elemental Analyzer. Total aluminum, boron, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, and zinc were quantified in soil samples prepared by very high-pressure closed vessel microwave acid digestion in a Milestone “Ultrawave” single reaction chamber followed by analysis with a Teledyne/Leeman Labs “Prodigy” dual view inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. In principal component analyses of soil nutrient data, the first and second principal components appeared to represent productivity and species richness, respectively; and carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, boron, iron, magnesium and manganese were identified as important soil nutrients. Bivariate regressions of the first principal component with total biomass (R2 = 0.76) and the second principal component with species richness (R2 = 0.35) returned strong R2 values. Species richness was related to total biomass (R2 = 0.11), soil carbon (R2 = 0.15), soil nitrogen (R2 = 0.14) and iron (R2 = 0.29) by concave down relationships, to boron (R2 = 0.17) and magnesium (R2 = 0.49) by concave up relationships, to phosphorus (R2 = 0.27) and manganese (R2 = 0.25) by positive linear relationships and to potassium (R2 = 0.14) by a negative linear relationship. Scaling results were inconclusive but suggested that patterns in the literature may be partly due to sample size. Results generally support the humped-back model and that nutrient availability is an important factor correlated with herbaceous plant productivity and species richness. Nutrient availability is likely an important driver of plant productivity and herbaceous plant diversity.

abstract: nitrogen

abstract: phosphorus

abstract: potassium

abstract: soil nutrients

abstract: carbon

abstract: humped-back model

abstract: productivity-diversity relationship


title: Sustainable management of backcountry trail networks in British Columbia: Tourism, technology and climate change

contributor: Mason, Courtney (cmason) (thesis advisor)

format:
electronic
vi, 104 pages

subject: Trails -- Environmental aspects -- British Columbia

subject: Trails -- British Columbia -- Management

abstract: Sensitive backcountry environments are more accessible than ever before due to technological innovation, the effects of climate change, continued resource extraction and a growing tourism sector in Western Canada. Current regulations and management practices must be adapted to protect these ecologically sensitive areas. While existing academic literature discusses the ecological impacts of nature based tourism, there are limited resources available that provide insight into holistic land management solutions specific to remote backcountry trails in British Columbia (B.C.). This research examines the relevance of current industry standards, best practices and policies of trail management, design, construction and access and in their application to backcountry environments. A community-based participatory research (CPBR) methodology provided the foundation for this study. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were completed between September 1st and December 13th, 2018 with key industry stakeholders who currently use or manage trails in backcountry environments. The interviews identified gaps in existing knowledge and assisted in the creation of an online survey tool used to gain insight from trail user communities. The survey was sent out using Survey Monkey to various social media platforms, primarily targeting backcountry recreation media outlets. In total, there were 400 survey respondents from across B.C. This research provides insight into the contemporary challenges trail managers face related to technological innovation and shifting environmental conditions. This study identifies opportunities for further trail user education and encourages a more collaborative land management strategy for summer use of sensitive backcountry environments. The multiple overlapping interests that compete for control of public land in B.C. adds a layer of complexity that is a critical aspect in discussions of backcountry recreation management. While focusing on sustainable management of a growing industry, this research provides additional insight to better understand the effects that climate change is having on tourism economies in Western Canada.

abstract: Backcountry recreation

abstract: Sustainability

abstract: Environmental practices

abstract: Community-based research

abstract: Land use management

abstract: Parks and protected areas

abstract: Policy development

abstract: Conflict resolution


title: Health Literacy of Healthcare Providers andMental Health Needs of Immigrant Perinatal Women

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Nursing (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Providing equitable and quality healthcare to all is a fundamental principle within all healthcare systems. Immigrant perinatal women are at greater risk for mental health problems yet face a myriad of challenges to access mental health services. Health literacy, which is the ability to access, understand, and apply basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions, has become a public health concern with immigrants having significantly low health literacy levels compared to Canadian-born citizens. Healthcare providers are in a unique position to limit or build their clients’ health literacy. They are expected to provide effective communication and ensure that health information is delivered and understood by their clients. The primary purpose of this study was to explore how healthcare providers negotiate the mental health needs of immigrant women during the perinatal period. In-depth interviews were used to obtain information about the perspectives of healthcare providers working with immigrant women and the contextual factors that influence immigrant women’s mental health and their engagement. The study’s findings will inform effective and culturally safe health literacy practices and development of future healthy public policy.

abstract: mental health

abstract: immigrant women

abstract: healthcare providers

abstract: health literacy

abstract: perinatal period


title: The role of energy reserves on mortality and stress-tolerance thresholds during the early benthic phase in intertidal invertebrates

contributor: HIggins, Robert (rhiggins) (committee member)

contributor: Rakobowchuk, Mark (mrakobowchuk) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Department of Biological Sciences (Degree granting institution)

abstract:
For many intertidal marine invertebrate species, mortality rates during the early benthic phase are often very high and highly variable, which can lead to fluctuations in the abundance and distribution of adult invertebrate populations and the structure of the intertidal community. One of the major factors hypothesized to contribute to this mortality is insufficient energy reserves at the onset of the early benthic phase. Yet the role of energy reserves in regulating early survivorship has not been directly tested, and so remains speculative. This thesis explores both the direct and indirect impacts of energy reserves on mortality during the early benthic phase. Recently settled or hatched individuals of six invertebrate species were collected from natural populations, maintained without food, and their survivorship was monitored. Contrary to expectations, starved individuals of all six species had high survivorship through the critical first 10 d of the early benthic phase, with half of the species experiencing <2% mortality, and the remaining three species experiencing only 6 – 12% mortality, and no difference in short-term survivorship was detected among starved individuals of three different size classes (a proxy for energy reserves) of Nucella. ostrina hatchlings. This study is the first to reveal that depleted energy reserves are not a primary direct cause of high mortality at the start of the early benthic phase, as had previously been hypothesized. Indirect impacts of initial energy reserves were then examined by determining the extent to which energy reserves affect acute tolerance thresholds of early benthic phase individuals to two of the most challenging intertidal environmental stressors: desiccation and high emersion temperature. Levels of energy reserve were controlled by maintaining early benthic phase individuals of two invertebrate species without food. These were then exposed to an experimental range of emersion temperatures and desiccation periods. Duration of starvation, an indirect measure of energy levels, had no effect on tolerance to emersion temperature but did significantly impact tolerance to desiccation. This suggests that desiccation is likely a more important selective pressure on intertidal invertebrates and could favor the evolution of greater energy reserves at the onset of the early benthic phase.
iii Interestingly, acute tolerance thresholds to both stressors were significantly reduced for smaller individuals relative to those with greater body mass, suggesting that body size – and particularly the surface area: volume ratio may be a better indicator of vulnerability to abiotic stressors than energy content. Together, these findings reveal that depleted energy reserves at the onset of the early benthic phase can affect rates of early benthic phase mortality through indirect effects, by making individuals more vulnerable to certain stressors encountered in early benthic life. These findings are important because they reveal that although insufficient energy reserves are not a major source of early mortality, they can still impact recruitment and community structure in the intertidal zone.

abstract: desiccation

abstract: Early benthic phase

abstract: mortality factors

abstract: recruitment

abstract: tolerance thresholds

abstract: starvation

abstract: energy reserves

abstract: emersion temperature


title: Conservation, tourism and sustainability at the Adams River salmon run in Tsútswecw Provincial Park, British Columbia

contributor: Heise, Brian (bheise) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Sockeye salmon have been returning to the Adams River in South Central British Columbia for thousands of years. They are an ecological and cultural keystone species and a significant contributor to the economy. However, salmon populations are in decline throughout the Pacific Northwest, putting communities, economies and ecosystems at risk. The Salute to the Sockeye is a nature-based tourism experience celebrating the return of wild salmon to the Adams River. This research examines how nature-based tourism can contribute to the sustainability of a species and be a driver for change. Using a community-based participatory research methodology and interviews, this research identifies the network of actors connected to the Adams River salmon run, examines actor relationships, and considers the impacts these relations have on socio-economic and environmental sustainability. There is strong evidence to suggest that collaboration among actors, guided by local experience and knowledge, is crucial to sustaining wild Pacific salmon.

abstract: Wild  salmon

abstract: Conservation

abstract: Actor networks

abstract: Nature-based  tourism

abstract: Indigenous communities

abstract: Parks and protected areas


title: Mine reclamation and nitrogen cycling: Application of mine subsoil, soil amendments and native vegetation as tools for effective ecosystem reclamation

contributor: Karakatsoulis, John (jkarakatsoulis) (committee member)

contributor: Bottos, Eric (ebottos) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Department of Natural Resource Sciences (Degree granting institution)

abstract:
Mining is a strong contributor to Canadian and British Columbian economies. Mining yields raw materials without which human society would not be able to function. Also, this industry is a source of income for thousands of households. However, because of the large scale of operation, mining has an impact on landscapes and ecosystems including fragile and unique ones such as grasslands. This highlights the need for an effective and ecologically-based reclamation strategy. The reclamation of mine lands is a challenge because mine soils following mining activity are often deprived of organic matter, nutrient-poor, possess adverse physicochemical properties, and can be contaminated by heavy metals. Due to the large size, the capping of reclaimed land by topsoil is often not possible, the attention of reclamation practitioners has focused towards subsoil which is generated as a waste product and often stockpiled in large quantities. It is an open question whether mine subsoil can play a role of starting substrate for mine lands ecological reclamation. This is the overarching question of this thesis: can subsoil be transformed into operational topsoil? It is hypothesized that this process will not be successful if the proper nitrogen cycling is not fully restored as nitrogen is one of six elements called biogenic and is intrinsic to all living organisms. The objectives of this thesis were to investigate (1) whether subsoils collected from New Afton New Gold and Teck Highland Valley Copper mines were suitable to sustain a viable vegetation cover, (2) whether an application of biochar, woodchips, biosolids (nitrogen-rich) and a mixture thereof ameliorate subsoil futures and help in subsoil transformation, (3) whether nitrogen influences revegetation and what transformation this element passes on the way of its cycling during the early stages of reclamation. Two potting experiments were conducted to address the research objectives. The first one took place in the controlled conditions of a greenhouse and worked with native in BC graminoids and legume (nitrogen fixer). The second one was conducted in open-air conditions and worked with three native shrubby species including one non-leguminous nitrogen fixer.  The results indicated that none of the analyzed mine subsoils, due to their low fertility and adverse physicochemical properties, was capable of sustaining viable vegetation when unamended. The situation changed when subsoils were amended by biosolids or a mixture. An addition of 25% of woodchips or 5% of biochar did not help. The vegetation response to nutrient input related to biosolids application was positive in the case of both mines, however, productivity on Teck Highland Valley Copper mine subsoil was significantly larger than productivity on New Afton New Gold mine subsoil in both experiments (experiment 1
ii Kruskal-Wallis p < 2.2e-16; experiment 2 Kruskal-Wallis, p = 1.7e-08). Physicochemical tests revealed that New Afton New Gold mine subsoil’s high pH and salinity posed a hindrance to overcome for vegetation growth. Additionally, throughout both experiments, the contents of total nitrogen, mineralizable nitrogen, and ammonium decreased, while the nitrate content increased. That in turn might indicate that in the early stage of reclamation, when biosolids are applied as a source of nitrogen, the nitrification step of the nitrogen cycle takes prevalence. Seven native plant species were used in this research and all demonstrated that they can cope with harsh growing conditions created by two mines’ subsoils, however, they need to be provided with initial nutrient sources. This research provided valuable information about subsoil, soil amendments, and native vegetation (including nitrogen fixers) to consider when undertaking mine lands reclamation.

abstract: mine reclamation

abstract: subsoil

abstract: soil amendments

abstract: native plant species

abstract: nitrogen cycling

abstract: nitrogen fixers


title: Response of soil geochemical properties and microbial communities to long-term storage in two mine operations in the Interior of British Columbia: Implications for restoration practices

contributor: Fraser, Lauchlan (Lauchlan Fraser (lfraser)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: van Hamme, Jonathan (Jonathan van Hamme (jvanhamme)) (committee member)

contributor: Gardner, Wendy (Wendy Gardner (wgardner)) (committee member)

abstract:
Mining activities are often severely disruptive to the landscape and a major barrier to reclamation after mining is lack of quality topsoil. This project addresses knowledge gaps in the industry by exploring the compositional nature of topsoil stockpiles and their ability to facilitate post-mining revegetation after long-term storage. To do this, we conducted an extensive profile characterization of two topsoil stockpiles in the interior of British Columbia, where soil
geochemical properties and microbial communities with high-throughput sequencing were investigated. Both stockpiles show depleted soil quality and significant changes compared to reference soils. Importantly, there were declines in microbial diversity, major shifts in
community structure, and a reduction in soil nutrients with increasing stockpile depths in one of the stockpiles. These results highlight the important influence of topsoil-stockpile height on geochemical properties and microbial communities in the soil, which ultimately influences the
success of restoration. This research can help industry to optimize restoration and expediate
recovery in their mine-closure practices and provides insights into the general structure of the microbiome existing across a gradient in severely disturbed mining soils.

abstract: mine reclamation

abstract: soil microbial ecology

abstract: ecosystem restoration

abstract: soil response to disturbance

abstract: high-throughput sequencing


title: Arthropod recovery in post-mine reclaimed sites: The effects of reclamation age and biosolids as a soil amendment on arthropods

format:
electronic
75 pages

subject: Biodiversity Arthropoda

abstract:
Mining is a significant disturbance on natural ecosystems and mining companies are required to reclaim disturbed lands post mine-closure. This observational study addressed three research questions based on the foundation of using DNA barcoding of arthropods as a new tool for assessing reclamation. First, this study evaluated if differences in arthropod assemblage and biodiversity are visible between sites representative of reclamation ages (‘new,’ ‘old’ and ‘reference’) and soil amendments (‘biosolids,’ ‘no biosolids’ and ‘reference’). Second, this study assessed species richness in relation to reclamation age and soil amendment. Third, this study assessed if any taxa can be used as indicators of reclamation age and soil amendments.
Arthropod samples were obtained in 2018 from Teck Resources Highland Valley and New Gold Inc. New Afton. Arthropods from pitfall traps were processed by extracting DNA and identifying taxa through DNA metabarcoding. Based on the results, the dissimilarity of arthropod assemblage between the reclamation age and amendment sites implied another external factor is a stronger driver. Second, despite treatment correlations with order-level taxa, there was not a
statistically significant relationship of the overall richness between the sites. Third, indicator species analyses identified several taxa uniquely associated with age and amendment sites. It is also interesting that there were no invasive taxa representative of the study sites. Using novel methods (high-throughput DNA metabarcoding), this project contributes to the improvement of planning and management practices, leading to more effective post-mining ecosystem-recovery outcomes, as they relate to the sustainable health of ecosystems, which are vital to the continued growth of BC’s communities and economy.

abstract: biodiversity

abstract: ecosystem reclamation

abstract: arthropods

abstract: environmental DNA barcoding