1. Home>
2. Research & Collections>
3. Our Research>
4. Life Sciences Research

Life Sciences Research

The Life Sciences Section of our Research Services division conducts field- and collection-based systematics and ecological research on a variety of animal and plant groups. Directed toward increasing understanding of environmental change, our research focuses mainly on describing the diversity of life on Earth, and is complemented by studies in ecology, evolution and biogeography.

Our Life Sciences research staff, associates and collaborators:

• describe (identify and classify) new species
• propose new classifications
• map species distributions
• trace evolutionary histories and attempt to understand historical relationships
• seek to understand how organisms interact with the habitats in which they live in an effort to understand ecological relationships
• develop strategies to ensure species conservation and the stability of the habitats in which they live.

Environmental Change

The Canadian Museum of Nature has determined that environmental change is an issue of widespread concern to Canadians. A broad, multidisciplinary and multi-institutional programme of research has been developed by the Life Sciences Section as a means of monitoring environmental change in various habitats, throughout Canada and internationally.

The results of our research facilitate the recognition and the interpretation of environmental change. Systematics and ecological research in particular provide the baseline data that is crucial to understanding the history of species and habitat distributions, as well as the critical factors underlying and affecting environmental change. Research results also lead to the formulation of recommendations for environmental monitoring, management and conservation activities.

Diverse Partners

The Canadian Museum of Nature's life-scientists work in multidisciplinary teams, linking dozens of individual researchers and institutions throughout Canada and the world in partnerships and networks. Our scientists work closely with Canadian universities in teaching and in training students, and with federal government agencies and scientific organizations in developing policy and in promoting respect for the natural world.

Within the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Life Sciences team works closely with its counterparts in Collections, and our research builds on the strengths of the collections themselves. In addition to assisting with identification and organization of the collections, our researchers contribute specimens and data from fieldwork that form the basis of their research. The combined efforts of our Research and Collections staff support a well-documented record of natural history knowledge that is accessible to all Canadians and concerned public throughout the world.

The Life Sciences team also works directly with other museum staff in the planning and delivery of public programmes and educational events, and in the conception, development and specimen selection for permanent and temporary exhibitions at the museum.

Cooperative effort is also required to ensure our research is shared with diverse audiences. Our researchers contribute to nature.ca, author popular and scientific books, are involved in film projects, and provide knowledgeable and accessible information to print, broadcast and electronic media.

The Canadian Centre for Biodiversity of the Canadian Museum of Nature is an active conduit for members of the Life Sciences Section to inform federal policy and programmes on natural history issues. This renders the advice and knowledge of researchers relevant and effective to national policy and working groups relating to sustainable use, conservation issues, species at risk and other environmental concerns.