A time of ecological change in the Pacific Northwest - Dr Regan Early

The unifying theme of Dr Regan Early's research is using patterns of species distributions to understand ecological processes such as climate tolerances, range shifts, biotic interactions, population dynamics and the timing of life history events (phenology). Working at large scales, using models to study hundreds of species across countries and continents, Dr Regan Early actively uses this research to inform conservation policy in our changing world, evaluating the effectiveness of current and proposed conservation strategies.

The last two and a half centuries have seen countless changes to the northwest of Canada and the USA: an explosion in mechanised hunting and fishing, the stripping and restoration of rights to indigenous peoples, gold and silver mining, warfare, and of course climate change. Dr Regan Early will explore the exquisite balance of nature in the region, including the waxing and waning of the iconic lynx and snowshoe hare, the bloody fight between red squirrels and the spruce trees in which they live, and the Mexican stand-off between sea otters, kelp forests, and abalone fishers. 

This event is organised by the Cheshire and North Wales regional committee and Chester Cathedral.