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Mapping the health of kelp forests

January 5, 2023 - The Ring

Canopy-forming kelp forests are a vital lifeline for spawning herring and juvenile salmon, but a raft of environmental stressors make the future of those underwater forests uncertain. A new research alliance is examining the resilience and decline of bull kelp along the BC central coast due to warming ocean temperatures, in hopes of identifying areas of potential protection and possible restoration.

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Clean energy future

October 28, 2022 - knowlEDGE

Rural and Indigenous communities are poised to play a central role in Canada’s low-carbon energy future, according to one of Canada’s top energy transition researchers. UVic geographer and civil engineer Christina Hoicka explains that as the impacts of climate change grow, a massive upscaling of renewable energies will be required.

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Artificial reefs: junk or habitat?

December 28, 2018 - knowlEDGE

Over the last 27 years, eight ships and one airplane have been intentionally sunk off the BC coast for the enjoyment of recreational divers—and to enhance habitat for local marine life. Yet artificial reefs remain controversial. Desiree Bulger, a master’s student in UVic's School of Environmental Studies, set out to find some answers.

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Sacred places

January 1, 2018 - knowlEDGE

UVic anthropologist Brian Thom has long worked with Coast Salish First Nations and Parks Canada on cooperative management in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Recently, Thom saw an opportunity to more fully integrate Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices into co-management efforts.

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