Facilities

Methods and Techniques

Our team uses a variety of methods and techniques to address research questions, including:

• Dendrochronology (tree ring analysis)
• Observational and experimental field ecology
• Geographical information systems (GIS)
• Remote sensing and air photo interpretation
• Analysis of long-term monitoring data
• Historical ecology

Lab Facilities and Equipment

We have dedicated laboratory space in the physical geography area of Macintosh-Corry Hall (room D107). It’s casually referred to as the “Danby Café” because many Q-LEG members are often known to be coffee or tea aficionados! A variety of tools and instruments are housed in the Café, including:

• Dendrochronology equipment for measurement and analysis of tree rings including three stereo-microscopes, two Velmex sliding stages, a sliding microtome, a compound microscope, and digital measurement system, and a semi-automated WinDendro image analysis system with large format flat-bed scanner;
• A contained room for preparing wood samples for analysis with a 4”x24” benchtop belt sander and a free-standing 6”x48” belt sander, both connected to a 2hp dust collection system;
• A range of basic laboratory equipment for sample processing and measurement, including analytical balance and drying oven;
• Dedicated computer workstations for GIS, remote sensing, and statistical applications (supported software includes ArcGIS, IDRISI, ENVI, MapInfo, SPSS, PC-Ord, Hyperniche);
• Fume hood for safe work with chemicals;
• Kettle and French press!

Field Equipment

We have a broad range of field equipment for vegetation sampling, environmental instrumentation, and general work in the outdoors, including:

• Vegetation sampling equipment including increment borers, saws, tape measures, clinometers, etc.;
• Portable TDR for in situ volumetric soil moisture measurements;
• Two full-scale Onset meteorological stations (currently in operation in Yukon)
• Micro-environmental monitoring equipment and data loggers (Onset Hobos and Maxim iButtons);
• Trimble GeoExplorer 6000 field computer with differential GPS (sub-metre accuracy)
• Semi-rugged Dell laptop and Lenovo Thinkpad
• Handheld WAAS-enabled Garmin GPS units;
• Two-way radios, SPOT emergency transponder, satellite phone;
• Tents and other camping equipment
• Collapsible 17’ freighter canoes