Understanding the life aquatic
Aquatic ecologist and biology professor Frances Pick has spent a career studying the effects of climate change and human activities on the health of lakes and rivers. Her research has made her keenly aware of the need for increased awareness of and action on water-quality issues in Canada.
From her laboratory at the University's state-of-the-art Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics (CAREG), Pick is doing her part by examining the impacts of the widespread use of agricultural nutrients on aquatic ecosystems, sharing her findings with fellow researchers, environmental organizations, government agencies and concerned community groups.
"We're seeing the negative impact of nutrients on the health of regional rivers," notes Pick. "My hope is that research in this area will promote greater environmental awareness and concrete action on the part of government to establish acceptable nutrient levels in our waterways."
Another key research interest for Pick is determining the causes and consequences of cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) blooms in lakes, in particular those that produce toxins dangerous to human health.
"My research centres on why these blooms are occurring in otherwise healthy lakes," says Pick. "It appears that nutrients cause algal blooms, while climate change may be lowering the nutrient threshold or change point where the incidence of algal blooms starts to increase."
A natural optimist, Pick says she's confident that her efforts, and those of fellow environmental researchers and advocates, will result in positive measures to protect Canada's fragile aquatic ecosystems.
"When we protect water quality, we're not only protecting water for human consumption," she observes. "We're protecting biodiversity and the health of vital resources such as fisheries in Canada."
By Greg Higgins