Research facilities

 

My research group has 4 research labs located in the Biology Building at the University of Saskatchewan.  In addition, we have recently completed the construction of a $750,000 aquatic research center (The R.J.F. Smith Center for Aquatic Ecology). This facility consists of a wet lab and series of artificial ponds each of which is equipped with above water and underwater video cameras connected to a computer recorded behaviour analysis system (Ethovision). This facility is operational year round.

 

We also have various research equipment (boats, truck, nets, traps, etc.) for conducting field work.

R.J.F. Smith Center for Aquatic Ecology

Research

My research also addresses how human-induced environmental changes affect the ecology of freshwater ecosystems. Studies have examined the effects of metal contamination, turbidity, salinity, dissolved oxygen and UV radiation on antipredator responses and reproduction.

For more details, please see the description of current and past graduate student projects.  

To inquire about conducting graduate studies or post-doctoral work in my laboratory, please contact me by e-mail at: doug.chivers@usask.ca.

Research interests

The prime focus of my research program is to understand the behavioural and evolutionary ecology of predator/prey interactions. This research includes studies of behavioral, chemical and morphological predator defenses, as well as studies of the effects of predation on changes in life history characteristics of prey. We address fundamental questions in behaviour, ecology and evolution, combining both lab and field research. I make a special effort to incorporate a diversity of taxa into my research program; however, most research is conducted on local fishes and amphibians.