MARIE-LOU COULOMBE




	MARIE-LOU COULOMBE Program achieved: M. Sc. in Biology Affiliation : Department of Biology and Centre d'études nordiques, Université Laval Director : Jean Huot Steeve Côté (February 2004-January 2005) Co-director : Steeve D. Côté E-Mail : marie-lou.coulombe@bio.ulaval.ca

	Research project : Our objective was to study the influence of population density on foraging behaviour and activity budget of white-tailed deer on Anticosti Island. We used three sites composed each of 2 experimentally-controlled densities (7,5 deer/km², 15 deer/km²) and a natural site where density was estimated at about 25 deer/km². At each site, three deer were equiped with VHF collars and positioned by radio-tracking. Vegetation sampling allowed us to compare how deer use space available in relation to density and plant biomass. Activity budgets were continuously obtained using activity sensors and an automatic receiver-datalogger. Master's thesis (PDF 2139 Ko) Academic training and work experience : Marie-Lou Coulombe holds a B. Sc. degree in Biology from Université Laval (1999-2002). She worked for two years as a research assistant on Anticosti Island and conducted a honor's project examining the possibility of using a road count census on Anticosti Island to estimate relative deer densities. Marie-Lou has completed her M.Sc. degree in February 2006 and now works as a biologist for Roche ltd consulting engineers. Research interests : Wildlife conservation and management, behavioral ecology, plant-herbivore relationships.