Historical ecology provides a window into ecosystems past, which can provide key insights for natural resource conservation and management. In marine systems, historical ecology research has been especially valuable in reconstructing ecological baselines and providing evidence for cultural connections to ecosystems before intensive and destructive human impact. Drawing on a range of examples from BC and beyond, this talk will describe the approaches of historical marine ecology and the use of historical insights for conservation. In particular it will highlight the application of historical ecology to endangered species recovery,  fisheries management, climate resilience, and Indigenous resource management.

I am an interdisciplinary scholar engaged with ocean history, historical ecology and marine conservation. My research integrates natural science, social science and humanities to quantify and describe ecological change and human drivers over centuries and across large areas. This applied historical research has had direct present-day conservation benefits, providing information needed to halt declines and promote recovery of marine fisheries and ocean animals.

The Natural Resources & Environmental Studies Institute (NRESi) at UNBC hosts a weekly lecture series at the Prince George campus. Anyone from the university or wider community with interest in the topic area is welcome to attend. Presentations are also made available to remote participants through Zoom Webinar. Go to http://www.unbc.ca/nres-institute/colloquium-webcasts to view the presentation remotely.

Past NRESi colloquium presentations and special lectures can be viewed on our video archive, available here.