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

Projects

 

CURRENT PROJECTS

1) Participatory GeoWeb for Engaging the Public on Global Environmental Change: Geomatics and the GeoWeb. Funding by GEOIDE (2008-2012).

Web-based tools are the only future medium for individual and group participatory decisionmaking, and citizen outreach is the next stage of cyberinfrastructure. In this innovative project, we explore the use of the geoweb for citizen participation, particularly the act of volunteering information as a collective act of sensing.  This information source is expected to be one of the main sources of environmental models in the future, and will consist of variations in how the real world is perceived, measured and understood by citizens.  A series of case studies/projects will be used to explore this, and the theory behind it.  Our  lab's project will focus on invasive species mapping, public participation, and data vetting.  Visit our project web site. Rene Sieber (PI), Brian Klinkenberg, Claus Rinner, David J. Coleman, Yolanda Wiersma. Graduate Student:  Alan McConchie (Ph. D.).

2) Public reporting of wildlife occurrences versus expert reporting (2010-present)

Do expert reports of wildlife abundances match public perceptions?  VGI reports of wildlife are used to examine the coincidence of expert and public estimations.   Brian Klinkenberg.  Graduate student Ian Parfitt (M. Sc).

3) Using VGI to anlayze public perceptions of public places  (2010-present)

Brian Klinkenberg. Graduate student Brad Maguire (Ph. D.)

4) Predicting the cultural mosaic in Canada. Funding by Citizenship and Immigration Canada  (2011)

Dan Hiebert and Brian Klinkenberg

5) Evaluating resilience of complex coupled human and natural systems in Seregenti National Park.  Developing Sustainable Human-Natural Ecosystems:  The Greater Serengeti Ecosystem as a Case Study.     (2009-present)

This project will explore human/ecosystem interactions in the Serengeti National Park.   Our component will address the role of geospatial technologies in evaulating sustainability and resilience. Refer to the project web site for more details.  Collaborators:  Tony Sinclair (PI), Peter Arcese, Roy Turkington, Brian Klinkenberg and others.

SPECIAL PROJECTS:

Tthe Biogeographic Atlases of BC: E-Fauna BC and E-Flora BC (2004-ongoing). Funding by Shell Environmental Fund (Major Grant), BC Ministry of Forests and Range, Service Canada, and others. (2002-present).

The biogeographic atlases of British Columbia provide a detailed, centralized source of information on the distribution, ecology and identification of BC's flora and fauna. They represent a major collaborative effort on the part of many BC researchers, government agencies, and citizen scientists who aim to provide comprehensive biogeographic information on native and naturalized species in the province.  Interactive GIS mapping is a significant component and allows incorporation of volunteered geographic information (VGI) on species occurrences as an important data layer.  Brian Klinkenberg (PI). 

RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS

1) Spatial analysis of yellow-cedar die-back in BC:  Seeking insights.  Funded by BC Ministry of Forests (2008-2009) ($50,000)

In this research project we explore the dynamics behind the major decline of yellow cedar in British Columbia, incuding assessment of biophysical factors that influence mortality rates.  Brian Klinkenberg.  Graduate Student:  Claire Wooton.

2) GIS modeling for emergency planning:  Visualization and Analysis of Infrastructure Networks.  Funded by NSERC + Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. (2005-2008) ($1,020,000).

This multidisciplinary emergency planning research project is aimed at integrating the modeling of critical infrastructure interdependencies with the development of new techniques and approaches to analyze vulnerabilities in order to anticipate impacts of failures. Our component of this project focuses on visualization of interdependencies.  Collaborators:  Jose Marti (PI), Philippe Kruchten, Konstantin Beznosov, Jeffrey Joyce, Juri Jatskevich, KD Srivastava, Kellogg Booth, Brian Klinkenberg, Tamara Munzner, Richard Rosenberg, Carlos Ventura, Carson Woo, Gary Poole.  


3) Integrating climate, biology and epidemiology:  predicting West Nile Virus. Supported by the BC Centre for Disease Control and Environment Canada. (2005-2007).

In this project, we explore the biogeographic factors that drive the spread and prevalence of West Nile Virus.  By bringing biogeographic perspectives into play, we utilize both theoretical and applied approaches to predicting the spread of this human pathogen.  Specifically, we aim to correlate vector species biology (generational potency) with climatic factors (degree days and precipitation) using GIS and remote sensing techniques in order to facilitate outbreak prediction.  This combination of epidemiology, biogeography and landscape ecology will provide unique insights into disease emergence, spread and ecology. Collaborators: Brian Klinkenberg (PI), Kaoru Tachiiri and Jamil Kazmi.


4) Modelling and prediction of Mongolian dzud and drought: development of early warning systems (2006-2008).

In this project we worked towards early prediction and modeling of catastrophic weather occurrences in Mongolia that significantly impact on regional farmers, causing major livestock loss and increased poverty. Prediction and development of an early warning system will allow farmers to prepare in the face of severe winters, and develop strategies for livestock and human survival. Collaborators: Kaoru Tachiiri and Brian Klinkenberg.

5) The Geography of Ecosystem Services in British Columbia: Central BC Case Study. Funded by SSHRC RDIGrant. (2006 - 2008) ($40,000).

In this research project, we aim to develop models that illustrate 'ecosystem services' in a way that integrates scientific and social understandng of ecosystem value and promotes protection of biodiversity.  These models will facilitate land use planning decision-making. Collaborators: Kai Chan (PI) and Brian Klinkenberg. Graduate Student: Lara Hoshizaki.

6) Understanding Cryptococcus gattii:  biogeographic analyses of the distribution and occurrences of a human pathogen. Funded by the BC Centre for Disease Control.  (completed 2007). 

Brian Klinkenberg. Graduate Student: Sunny Mak  (M. Sc. completed August 2007)

7)  A Global Analysis of Marine Protected Areas.  Sea Around Us Project.  Funding by World Wildlife Fund (WWF International and Canada), and others. (completed 2007). 

Co-Supervisors: Daniel Pauly and Brian Klinkenberg. Graduate Student: Louisa Wood