Seed Research Grant Projects
The purpose of this grant is to initiate new research opportunities by helping the Centre members leverage funding for new research initiatives related to environment, water and climate and graduate student recruitment. This grant was possible thanks to support from McMaster’s VP-Research. The Centre offered two research grants (each $7,000 per year for two years over 2025-2016 period) under Seed Grant Program to associated faculty members. Details of these projects are given below:
(1) Effect of projected climate change on the hibernation habitat of species at risk (Emydoidea blandingii, Sistrurus catenatus): Implications for conservation management
Alanna Smolarz and Mike Waddington (PI)The objective of this project is to assess the vulnerability of reptile species at risk habitat to projected climate change. The unique set of conditions required by the Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus), is key to their winter survival. This North American species is listed as threatened. In Canada, it is only found in Ontario with populations concentrated around the Great Lakes. This species is threatened by human persecution, road mortality and habitat loss of critical hibernation sites. Therefore, it is important we understand how vulnerable their current habitat is to climate disturbance to minimize impacts on their habitat.
(2) Will Southern Ontario fish adapt to climate change?
Graham Scott (PI)
The primary objective of this project is to evaluate the capacity of Southern Ontario fish to adapt to two major stressors associated with climate change in aquatic ecosystems – warming temperature and oxygen deprivation.
