Expert Details

Ian Walker

Contact Information
Ian Walker
Phone Number:(250) 721-7347
Email: 
 Languages: English
Website:
www.geog.uvic.ca/walker
Departments:
Geography

Research Information

Research Description

Research Description



Beach and dune geomorphology

Sedimentary processes

Coastal erosion

Wind (aeolian) processes

Expertise profile



Professor Walker is a geomorphologist with expertise in beach and sand dune geomorphology, sedimentary processes, wind (aeolian) processes, and the impacts coastal erosion and sea level changes. Dr. Walker's research takes place on beaches and dunes across north America in Prince Edward Island National Park, Haida Gwaii, Pacific Rim National Park, and Cape Cod National Seashore. This work involves close collaboration with Parks Canada, BC Parks, US National Park Service, the Geological Survey of Canada, and many international colleagues. Dr. Walker directs the Coastal Erosion & Dune Dynamics (CEDD) Laboratory, which studies the erosion, dynamics, and restoration of sandy beach-dune systems and explores linkages to land use changes and climatic change impacts using leading-edge technology and collaborative training opportunities.

Related Links



http://cedd.geog.uvic.ca/

Interdisciplinary Research

Co-lead author of the British Columbia Chapter (8) in a federal Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation Directorate (CCIAD) report entitled, "From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007" (http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/climate-change/community-adaptation/assessments/132)

Founding member of BC Coastal Sand Ecosystem Recovery Team (CSERT) with BC-MOE, Parks Canada, Raincoast Applied Ecology, who produced a collaborative provincial assessment report on the extent and status of coastal sand ecosystems and threatened species (http://www.raincoastappliedecology.ca/coastal-sand-ecosystem-status-report/). This report and related CSERT activities have laid the foundation for regional response strategies to protect and restore these valuable ecosystems with local First Nations and municipalities in British Columbia.
Sponsor of several research internship placements of graduate students with Parks Canada on coastal erosion and climate change impacts in coastal BC. Involved development of coastal erosion assessment and monitoring protocols and educational outreach activities with Clayoquot Biosphere Trust.
Team member of SSHRC Strategic Research Clusters project to assess "Vulnerability of resource-dependent communities to climate change" with CRC Barry Smit (Guelph).
Project leader: Vulnerability to climate change and sea-level rise impacts, NE Graham Island, Haida Gwaii, BC. Project examines both environmental and community socio-economic and cultural vulnerabilities to climate change and sea-level rise impacts on one of Canada's most sensitive coasts.

Research Keywords

Community Interaction

Community Collaborations

Founding member: BC Coastal Sand Ecosystem Recovery Team (CSERT) with BC-MOE, Parks Canada, Raincoast Applied Ecology (http://www.raincoastappliedecology.ca/coastal-sand-ecosystem-status-report/). Status report and related activities have laid the foundation for regional response strategies to protect and restore valuable sandy ecosystems with local First Nations and municipalities in British Columbia.

Member of Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative (ELSI) committee with members from the CRD, City of Colwood and Colwood residents.

UVic Speakers Bureau

Walker takes part in the UVic Speakers Bureau.
More information about the Speakers Bureau can be found here.

International Involvement

International Research

Co-investigator: US-National Science Foundation Collaborative Research Program, “Dune dynamics at Cape Cod National Seashore” with US National Parks Service, Louisiana State University and East Carolina University, 2010-14.

General International Activities

Collaborative research on airflow dynamics over sand dunes using Computational Fluid Dynamics computer simulations with colleagues from Leeds University and Sheffield University.

Countries lived/worked in

United States