University of Toronto
and
Department of Biology
University of Toronto Mississauga
Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6, Canada
Office: 905-828-5365
Lab: 905-828-5304
FAX: 905-828-3792
e-mail: peter.kotanen
utoronto.ca
"Botanists are more civilized than zoologists" - Humbled goose biologist, Akimiski Island, Nunavut Territory, 1998
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Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto and Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga |
3359 Mississauga Road North Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6, Canada Office: 905-828-5365 Lab: 905-828-5304 FAX: 905-828-3792 e-mail: peter.kotanen utoronto.ca
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Interests: Ecology of plant populations and communities. Emphasis is on biological invasions, seed biology, and herbivory by vertebrates and invertebrates. Recent projects focus on the question of whether escape from natural enemies (diseases, insect herbivores) promotes the survival and spread of exotic plants. Most of my work is currently in southern Ontario, Canada (invasions, seed ecology), but I also have worked extensively in the central Canadian Arctic and Subarctic (herbivory by geese), and in California (disturbance by wild pigs). Member, Global Invasions Network.
--> Simon <--
--> Click here for a list of recent publications. <--
Recent Research | |||
| Project | Progress | ||
Helleborine 
| Testing the Enemy Release Hypothesis of plant invasions. This is the idea that non-native plants may have an advantage over natives because they lost their enemies (herbivores and pathogens) during the invasion process. This work is centred at the Koffler Scientific Reserve at Jokers Hill. | My student Steve Hill worked on this problem. Previous work includes research on seed pathogens and predators by my student, Sean Blaney. | |
Beetles on Ragweed
| Biology of Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). Ragweed is a North American native which has widely invaded Europe, Asia, and elsewhere. I'm studying this plant both in its native range and where it has been introduced. | Two of my students, James MacKay and Andrew MacDonald, have worked on interactions between ragweed and its natural enemies. | |
Akimiski Island
| Changes in arctic habitats used by nesting Snow and Canada Geese. Foraging by these birds has significant impacts on vegetation surrounding their breeding colonies. | In 2008, I revisited transects I sampled 10 years ago on Akimiski Island, Nunavut Territory, to determine how vegetation in areas used by geese has changed over the last decade. | |
Other Research | |||
| Project | Progress | ||
Jokers Hill old field
| Experimental studies of the influence of pathogens and predators on seed mortality. This work has involved studies of both old field plants and forest trees. My study site is the Koffler Scientific Reserve at Jokers Hill. | Michelle Schafer investigated whether different fungal communities render some habitats more dangerous to seeds than others. Deborah Manners considered influences of pathogens on survival of seeds of forest trees. | |
Snow Geese
| Responses of arctic vegetation to damage by Snow Geese. My principal study areas are Akimiski Island, Nunavut Territory, and adjacent parts of Ontario's Hudson-James Bay coastline. This research is part of the Hudson Bay Project. | Research by Pamela O asked whether grazing by geese converts Festuca rubra pastures to grazing lawns, and ultimately mudflats. A co-supervised project by Jennie McLaren examined the effects of geese on soil characteristics. | |
Student Opportunities: I am always looking for grad students. See the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology's graduate studies page for application information.
utoronto.ca) (Ph.D. 2009). Thesis title: Biotic resistance to non-indigenous plants: are phylogenetically novel invaders more likely to escape enemies? Steve is now working as an ecologist for Dougan & Associates.
utoronto.ca) (M.Sc. 2009). Thesis title: The effects of biotic interactions on Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Andrew shortly is starting a Ph.D. with Diane Srivastava at the University of British Columbia.
aecom.com) (M.Sc. 2008). Thesis title: Local escape of Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) from above- and below-ground natural enemies. James is now working as an ecologist for AECOM.
utm.utoronto.ca) (M.Sc. 2003 - co-supervised with K.F. Abraham). Thesis title: Responses of Festuca rubra to natural and simulated foraging by geese on Akimiski Island, Nunavut Territory. Pam is now pursuing a Ph.D. with Greg Henry at the University of British Columbia.
utm.utoronto.ca) (M.Sc. 2002). Thesis title: The influence of habitat type on losses of tree seeds to fungal pathogens. Deb is now working for the Department of Chemistry, University of Bristol.
interchange.ubc.ca) (M.Sc. 2002 - primary supervisor: R.L. Jefferies). Thesis title: Vegetation mosaics, patch dynamics and alternate stable states in an arctic intertidal marsh. Jennie is now pursuing a Ph.D. with Roy Turkington at the University of British Columbia.
yahoo.com) (M.Sc. 2001). Thesis title: Impacts of fungal pathogens on seeds of old-field species in meadow and forest habitats. Michelle is now working at Ontario's Centre of Forensic Sciences.
mta.ca) (M.Sc. 1999). Thesis title: Seed bank dynamics of native and exotic plants in open uplands of southern Ontario. Sean is now working for the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre.
Images:
Biological invasions:
Some birding links:
Travel and weather:
Other:
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These pages were last updated 9 February 2010. © Peter M. Kotanen, 2010. All rights reserved.