ÉTIENNE CARDINAL

Research project: Indirect effects of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on songbird communities on Anticosti Island. We study how the simplification of the forest understory caused by heavy browsing of deer can affect songbird abundance and diversity. We are also interested in the fundamental mechanisms explaining these eventual changes in abundance and diversity. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the relations between overabundant large herbivores and ecosystem functions and components.

Master's thesis (PDF 1424 Ko)

Academic training and work experience : Étienne Cardinal holds a B.Sc. degree in biology from Université Laval (2002-2005). He worked on a study on the effectiveness of partial cutting with protection of small merchantable trees (CPPTM) for the conservation of wildlife biodiversity. He also worked for a year on a long-term project studying mountain goat and hoary marmot ecology in Alberta. Etienne owns a scholarship in wildlife management for graduate studies from the Fondation Héritage Faune. Étienne has completed her M.Sc. degree in November 2010 and is now a biologist intern under a Science and Technology Internship Program of Natural Resources Canada.

Research interests: Wildlife management and conservation, landscape management, behavioural ecology.