"Botanists are more civilized than zoologists" - Humbled goose biologist, Akimiski Island, Nunavut Territory, 1998
 Churchill, Manitoba |
Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto |
3359 Mississauga Road Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1C6, Canada Office: 905-828-5365 Lab: 905-828-5304 FAX: 905-828-3792 e-mail: peter.kotanen  utoronto.ca
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Interests: I study the ecology of biological invasions. My current research focusses on factors limiting invasions by non-native plants at high latitudes. Other recent research has centred on the question of whether escape from natural enemies (herbivores and pathogens) promotes the survival and spread of exotic plants, and whether escape from these enemies is more likely in marginal populations. I also have a longstanding interest in the effects of grazing by northern populations of geese. Associate Editor, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Biological Invasions.
Graduate Student Opportunities
I am looking for new grad students interested in working on invasions; for details, see here, and then send me an e-mail.
Also, click here to check our graduate studies webpage.
| Research | ||
|---|---|---|
| Project | Progress | |
Butter-and-eggs in Churchill
| Non-native plants are rare in tundra and treeline habitats, but the town of Churchill, Manitoba is an exception: many non-native species have been recorded here as a result of Churchill's history as a transportation hub and grain port, though few have spread out of town. Do these species represent a potential threat to surrounding natural habitats? This work, based at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, currently is the major focus of my lab. | Vicki Zhang is investigating factors may affect the spread of invasive species, including dispersal, temperature, nutrients, and disturbance. Noam Harris is investigating the role of intact ground cover in resisting invasions. Francine Da Silva worked on the importance of buildings in providing warm microhabitats for the non-native dandelion, Taraxacum officinale. |
Canada Thistle
| How do interactions with pathogens and herbivores affect populations of non-native plants, and can these effects spill over to affect native species? We have been investigating this issues at the Koffler Scientific Reserve, using the European invader Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) as a model system. | Krystal Nunes described patterns of colonization of C. arvense by natural enemies, and the consequences for this plant's growth. Jason Verbeek investigated soil-mediated impacts of C. arvense on other species. |
Common Burdock
| Interactions between invaders and their natural enemies in marginal populations. Do invasive plants escape their enemies near their geographic range limits? We have investigated this along a transect from southern Ontario to as far north as Moosonee and Churchill. | Krystal Nunes investigated these and related issues with Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense). Daz Kambo and Kelvin Lee worked on this problem, using Burdock (Arctium minus) as a model species. |
Jokers Hill Forest
| Experimental studies of the influence of pathogens and predators (including earthworms) on seed mortality. This work has involved studies of both old field plants and forest trees. The principal study site has been the Koffler Scientific Reserve. | Colin Cassin studied impacts of invasive earthworms on seeds of forest plants. Michelle Schafer investigated whether different fungal communities make some habitats more dangerous to seeds. Deborah Manners considered influences of pathogens on survival of tree seeds. |
Beetles on St. Johnswort
| Testing the Enemy Release Hypothesis of plant invasions. This is the idea that non-native plants may have an advantage over natives because they lost their enemies (herbivores and pathogens) during the invasion process. This work was centred at the Koffler Scientific Reserve. | Steve Hill studied how phylogenetic isolation influences enemy release; Sean Blaney studied whether enemy release applies to pathogens and predators of seeds. |
Beetles on Ragweed
| Biology of Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). Ragweed is a North American native which has widely invaded Europe, Asia, and elsewhere. We have studied this plant both in its native range and in areas where it has been introduced. | James MacKay studied whether isolated populations experience less damage by natural enemies. Andrew MacDonald investigated whether natural enemies have a significant impact on fitness, both at the Koffler Scientific Reserve. |
Akimiski Island Saltmarsh
| Changes in arctic habitats used by nesting Snow Geese. Foraging by these birds and other geese has significant impacts on vegetation surrounding their breeding colonies. Study sites have included areas on the coasts of Hudson and James Bay, as well as Akimiski Island, Bylot Island and Southampton Island. | Pamela O studied effects of grazing by geese on the grass Festuca rubra. Jennie McLaren examined the effects of geese on soil. In 2008 I revisited transects I sampled 10 years earlier on Akimiski to determine how vegetation used by geese has changed. In 2010, I sampled vegetation in Snow Goose colonies on Southampton. |
mail.utoronto.ca) (M.Sc., starting 2024). Candace will be investigating the effects of a changing climate on germination of non-native seeds.
trentu.ca) (M.Sc., starting 2024 - primary supervisor: Glen Brown, Trent University). Charlotte will be investigating long-term responses of coastal ecosystems to impacts of Lesser Snow Geese.
mail.utoronto.ca) (M.Sc., started 2023). Noam is investigating the role of lichens, mosses, and other ground cover in preventing the establishment of invasive plants.
mail.utoronto.ca) (Ph.D., started 2020). Thesis title: The risk of non-native plant invasions in the subarctic.
mail.utoronto.ca) (M.Sc. 2023). Thesis title: The influence of shelter on the establishment of the invasive dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, at its northern range limit.
gmail.com) (M.Sc. 2018). Thesis title: Shared enemies and the competitive ability of native plants in populations of an invasive plant (Cirsium arvense). Jason is now Staff Scientist in Applied Cultivation at MedReleaf.
ryerson.ca) (Ph.D. 2017). Thesis title: Impacts of aboveground and belowground interactions on the performance of an invasive thistle, Cirsium arvense. Krystal is an Assistant Professor position in the Dept. of Chemistry and
Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University.
invasivespeciescentre.ca) (M.Sc. 2015). Thesis title: The importance of invasive earthworms as seed predators of common forest flora of Ontario. Colin is now working as Policy & Program Analyst for the Invasive Species Centre, Sault Ste. Marie.
alum.utoronto.ca) (M.Sc. 2013). Thesis title: Sources of spatial variation in herbivory and performance of an invasive non-native plant, Common Burdock (Arctium minus). Kelvin is now Program Instructor at Downsview Park.
gov.ab.ca) (M.Sc. 2012). Thesis title: Differences in performance and herbivory along a latitudinal gradient for common burdock (Arctium minus). Daz completed a Ph.D. with Ryan Danby at Queen's University, and is now Tree Physiologist for the Government of Alberta.
dougan.ca) (Ph.D. 2009). Thesis title: Biotic resistance to non-indigenous plants: are phylogenetically novel invaders more likely to escape enemies? Steve is now a Director at Dougan & Associates (environmental assessment).
zoology.ubc.ca) (M.Sc. 2009). Thesis title: The effects of biotic interactions on Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Andrew is pursuing a Ph.D. with Diane Srivastava at the University of British Columbia.
london.ca) (M.Sc. 2008). Thesis title: Local escape of Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) from above- and below-ground natural enemies. James is Ecologist for the City of London, Ontario.
geog.ubc.ca) (M.Sc. 2003 - primary supervisor; co-supervised with Ken Abraham, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources). Thesis title: Responses of Festuca rubra to natural and simulated foraging by geese on Akimiski Island, Nunavut Territory. Pam is now pursuing a Ph.D. with Greg Henry at the University of British Columbia.
bristol.ac.uk) (M.Sc. 2002). Thesis title: The influence of habitat type on losses of tree seeds to fungal pathogens. Deb is now working in the Department of Chemistry, University of Bristol.
gmail.com) (M.Sc. 2002 - primary supervisor: Bob Jefferies, University of Toronto). Thesis title: Vegetation mosaics, patch dynamics and alternate stable states in an arctic intertidal marsh. Jennie is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso.
yahoo.ca) (M.Sc. 2001). Thesis title: Impacts of fungal pathogens on seeds of old-field species in meadow and forest habitats. Michelle is now working at Ontario's Centre of Forensic Sciences.
accdc.ca) (M.Sc. 1999). Thesis title: Seed bank dynamics of native and exotic plants in open uplands of southern Ontario. Sean is now Executive Director & Senior Scientist at the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre.
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Botany From Above!
(Akimiski Island)
On The Web since 1995
These pages were last updated 27 September 2024.
