Dr. Klinkenberg has retired as of Dec 31, 2022


Using spatial analysis to explore environment and sustainability

My work focused on advanced spatial analysis in the physical, health and social sciences, and in the intersection of these areas. This included a focus on GIScience, both theoretical and applications, in subject areas where space and place are considered important explanatory elements, including biogeography, medical geography, conservation biology, and the social aspects of GIS. My students and I explored theoretical concepts in neighbourhood theory, error and accuracy in GIS, modeling, and visualization. Our particullar focus was how spatial analysis and theory can improve on research results and provide additional insights into research problems.

 

Graduate student work explored various aspects of these areas and their intersection and has included:

 

  • eDemocracy and democracy
  • pulic participation and the GEOWEB
  • volunteered geographic information (VGI)
  • land use influences on endangered species (Salish Sucker)
  • movement ecology, GIS, and African elephants
  • ecology and distribution of pathogenic species (Cryptococcus gattii)
  • citizen science and fine-scale monitoring of trees using an object-based framework, data validation
  • climate change and the decline of yellow-cedar in BC

 

In many areas, our research is transformative and sits at the leading edge of GIScience research. See, for example, Jake Wall's work on the conservation of African elephants and Colleen Hardwick's work on eDemocracy. 

 

Past research projects:

 

1) medical geography and GIS: GIS analysis of emergency response and cardiac arrest; Spatial analysis of the opioid crisis in British Columbia

 

2) medical geography, GIS and pathogenic species:  Cryptococcus gattii

 

3) GIS analysis of land use and species at risk in BC.