Roy Vera-Velez (PDF)
PDF 2020-2023. Currently with Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange.
PhD 2020. Biology, University of Saskatchewan. Plant Systematics Lab.
MSc. Conservation and Sustainable Use of Forest Systems. University of Valladolid, Spain.
BSc. Agriculture. Army Polytechnic School, Ecuador.
My research interest focuses on the analysis of the structure and composition of plant communities and their interaction with natural and anthropogenic disturbances. I am particularly interested in the study of the ecological benefits of plant diversity and its relationship with the productivity of forests and agroecosystems in the context of ecosystem services. Most of my research applies field observations, experiments, and analysis of large data sets to assess the sustainability of agricultural practices.
Katherine Standen (PDF)
PDF 2021-2024. Currently Senior Park Landscape Ecologist, Landscape Protection Unit, Parks Division, Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.
PhD. 2021. Biological and Chemical Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, ON, Canada.
MSc. 2016. Biology, University of New Brunswick, NB, Canada
BSc. 2013. Honours Biology, University of New Brunswick, NB, Canada
My research interests focus on changes in vascular plant and biological soil crust (soil surface communities of bryophytes, lichens, bacteria, and fungi) community processes with natural and anthropogenic disturbance, particularly in high latitude systems. Specifically, I’m interested in understanding changes in community composition and function (i.e., gas flux, plant functional traits) following disturbance and how this may influence overall ecosystem function. My research includes field observations and experiments, as well as Illumina amplicon sequencing datasets.
Dale Gross (PhD.)
PhD. 2023. University of Saskatchewan, Dept. of Plant Sciences: Thesis: Applications of and barriers to prescribed fire for grassland management in Saskatchewan.
MSc (2005) University of Saskatchewan, Dept. of Plant Sciences: Thesis: Spatial and temporal effects of burning on plant community characteristics and composition in a Fescue Prairie
BSc (2002) University of Saskatchewan: Land Use and Environmental Studies
Dale's research involves various aspects of prescribed fire as a land management tool in northern mixed grass prairie including 1) Evaluating risk of grassland fire at different scales of observation using remote sensing; 2) Examining ungulate grazing selectively in response to prescribed burning and impacts to heterogeneity of grassland habitat; and 3) Comparative analysis of strategies to reintroduce prescribed fire, a natural ecosystem process and Indigenous cultural practice, as a land management tool in Saskatchewan.