Contact Info

Department of Geography
University of British Columbia
1984 West Mall
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V6T 1Z2

Phone: (604) 822-3534
Fax: (604) 822-6150

bri...@geog.ubc.ca

Learn about the biodiversity of BC

Three electronic books, including two atlases, have been produced that document the biodiversity of British Columbia. These cover everything from the wildlife species and flora of the province to the ecosystems it supports.

E-Flora BC

E-Fauna BC

Biodiversity of BC

Home Page

My research interests lie in spatial analysis, in both theoretical and spatially grounded applications.  I have three main foci of interest:

  • Theoretical investigations in spatial concepts. That is, exploring the theoretical underpinnings of spatial analysis, including issues related to scale, error and accuracy, visualization, fractals and data mining. 
  • The application of spatial analytical theory in subject areas where space and place are considered important explanatory elements. This includes a particular focus on biogeography  (including health geography/medical biogeography and conservation biology), and, in particular, the distributions and occurrences of species (e.g. landform correlations). It also includes a focus on aspects of human geography, such as immigration, VGI, and land use applications.
  • The social impacts of spatial technologies.  That is, exploration of the social aspects of GIScience and geospatial technologies--the reflexivities between technology and society (e.g.public participation and the geoweb).

Spatial analysis is an area of study that lies at the core of geography yet is inherently interdisciplinary and has relevance in the physical, health and social sciences.   The thread that unifies my research is the understanding  and insight that advanced spatial analysis brings to theoretical  and applied research problems--often unveiling subleties that would otherwise have been overlooked.

Example research topics in my lab include:

  • Spatial analysis of yellow cedar decline in British Columbia
  • Predictive mapping of endangered plant species in BC
  • Exploring ecosystem services
  • Understanding Cryptococcus gattii:  Biogeographic analyses of the distribution and occurrences of a human pathogen
  • Integrating climate, biology and epidemiology:  predicting West Nile Virus
  • Modelling and prediction of Mongolian dzud and drought: early warning can save lives and livestock
  • GIS modelling for emergency planning
  • Predicting the cultural mosaic in Canada
  • Participatory GeoWeb for engaging the public on global environmental change: geomatics and the geoWeb
  • Community engagement and the geoweb
  • The role of citizen science in biodiversity studies
  • Using VGI to anlayze public perceptions of public places
  • Public reporting of wildlife occurrences versus expert reporting

Visit my research page for more details.

Special Projects: The Biodiversity of British Columbia

Three special initiatives are currently underway. Through the Biodiversity of British Columbia website and the biogeographic atlases of British Columbia,  E-Flora BC and E-Fauna BC, we provide insights into our provincial biodiversity, what influences it, and how it is studied.  The atlases contain a significant VGI or citizen science component . VGI has recently become the focus of research for several of my graduate students.