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This thesis analyses the current solid waste management situation in Canada to determine the most effective methods of managing solid waste. To arrive at best practices for sustainable waste management, the relationships between waste composition, diversion efforts, management methods and landfill characteristics were explored for 97 Canadian landfills. Municipal solid waste undergoes biological decomposition to generate landfill gas, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. In addition I developed: (1) a statistical analysis of operations and their impact on methane generation, and (2) waste management guidance to reduce emissions from the solid waste sector. Landfill space is in short supply...
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Cladonia pyxidata and Cladonia pocillum are commonly referred to as "pixie cup" lichens. The species are mainly delimited by the morphology of the basal squamules, which are upright and separate or form a rosette-like pattern, respectively. Cladonia pyxidata is reported to prefer acidic soils, whereas C. pocillum grows exclusively on basic soils. By examining the morphological and genetic variation of C. pyxidata and C. pocillum , we assess their species status. We also examine whether the variation in morphology correlates with a change in soil pH. Samples from the Cladonia pyxidata group were collected from across Canada. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses were conducted using 15 morphological characters...
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Allozyme diversity in the subarctic-boreal plant species Tofieldia pusilla (Michaux)Persoon (Liliaceae) was analyzed in populations across northern Canada to determine whether the present-day geographical distribution of this diversity could be explained by glacial history. Only five of the fourteen loci surveyed were polymorphic (0.95 criterion) at more than one population. Relative to other monocots, members of the Liliaceae and its close relative Triantha racemosa, T. pusilla exhibited low allozyme variation across all populations (Ht=0.109). Weak trends show populations from southwest Yukon (a potential contact zone between multiple refugia and southern populations) were the most variable. Only one genotype...
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This study looked at the efficacy of using woodland caribou fecal pellets as a source of DNA to identify sampled animals and estimate population demographics. Fecal pellet samples were collected using systematic surveys of woodland caribou ranges in Jasper National Park, Alberta and the North Interlake region, Manitoba. Collection of pellet samples took place when snow was present to allow for tracking and location of caribou cratering areas and to obtain good quality DNA. DNA was amplified at ten polymorphic loci and one sex-specific primer. To estimate population size ( N ) and population growth rate (λ), mark-recapture models were used. Model assumptions were evaluated and tested by stratifying available samples...
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Many indigenous peoples have developed knowledge and practices for living with ecological complexity. Indicators and systems of monitoring based on the local and traditional knowledge of the Denesoline and Gwich'in of northern Canada were investigated. Through collaborative case study research we identified indicators of community health, ecosystem health, social-ecological health and ecological variability. Denesoline health indicators are framed around the Dene way of life and the journeys of self-government, healing and cultural preservation. Many different kinds of ecosystem health indicators are used by the Denesoline for understanding and communicating about variability and change in wildlife body condition,...
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