Conservation Genetics Laboratory 

Our conservation genetics research addresses threats to cetaceans, fish, and coastal carnivores. 

The Conservation Genetics Lab is an integral part of Raincoast’s efforts to protect the land, waters and wildlife of coastal BC. The DNA and RNA analysis we perform provides our scientists with reliable insights into the population structure, health, diets, and resilience and genetic isolation of coastal species. The lab works closely with our Cetacean Conservation Research Program and also helps answer important questions for our other conservation initiatives. 

Two hands wearing blue gloves holding and organizing beakers.
Research scientist Adam Warner holding two small beakers while wearing a lab coat in a lab.

Cutting edge genetics and genomics analysis

The Raincoast Conservation Genetics Lab is equipped with a complete set of instrumentation to conduct molecular biology and genetics, including cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology. Our Research Scientist, Dr. Adam Warner, has extensive experience in genetics, genomics and DNA sequencing, has set up our lab space and has begun to carry out this research under the guidance of our Cetacean Research Program directors Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard and Dr. Valeria Vergara. The lab works alongside Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which is hosting our lab space at the Pacific Science Enterprise Centre.

Understanding killer whale diet

A lack of sufficient Chinook salmon in the diets of Southern and Northern Resident killer whales has been linked to declines in population health. Our lab has the ability to extract and analyze salmon DNA from Resident killer whales feces, to identify the salmon stocks of most importance to the whales. Since we can identify the individual whales that produced fecal material genetically, we can link other health metrics such as stress hormone levels (also found in the fecal material) to individual killer whales. 

Overhead photo of a pod of killer whales swimming in the ocean.
Photo by Raincoast Conservation Foundation, taken under SARA Research License XMMS-2-2022.
Two killer whales surfacing on the ocean.
Photo by John Kelsey.

Killer whale population health and dynamics

Killer whales live in small populations that from their size alone would appear to be vulnerable to negative effects of inbreeding.  We recently sequenced the entire genomes of 142 members of the Northern Resident population to directly  assess inbreeding, genetic diversity, and immune system strength. We are comparing this information in this dataset to one for Southern Residents compiled by NOAA in the United States. This will help us gain insight into the comparative health of these important fish-eating populations of killer whales. We are also finalizing a study of inbreeding in marine mammal-eating Bigg’s killer whales, which will inform our understanding of similarities and differences between North Pacific killer whale populations.

Environmental DNA to aid research focused on wild salmon and coastal wolves

Our research on wild salmon and coastal wolf populations has the potential to be expanded through the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring and analysis. Through eDNA, we can track and assess salmon populations and determine abundance and diversity. Using wolf scat samples we can identify specific individuals, their sex, and the prey consumed. By learning more about these important populations, we hope to drive policy change to protect biodiversity.

Research scientist Adam Warner holding two small beakers while wearing a lab coat in a lab.
Photo by Alex Harris / Raincoast Conservation Foundation.

Recent articles

The report cover of the Tree Protection Bylaws in BC report hovers over a tree and a blurry house.

Report: Tree Protection Bylaws in British Columbia

This report provides an overview of municipal tree bylaws in BC highlighting ways tree bylaw components impact tree protection.
An aerial view of J50 and a juvenile.

Save the whales, take action

Please send a letter to the three federal ministers with responsibility for different aspects of Southern Resident killer whale recovery measures. Please also consider adding a personal note within the letter to indicate the importance of this topic to you.
A close up of two salmon in the bright light of the Fraser River with a map of lost streams and flood plains hovering above.

Quantifying lost habitat for Pacific salmon in the Lower Fraser

Salmon have lost access to as much as 85 per cent of their historical floodplain habitat – the biologically rich wetlands next to a river or stream that typically harbour wildlife – due to dikes and similar infrastructure.
Riley Finn standing on a boardwalk in a forest looking out at a bog.

Revealing the true extent of lost salmon habitat in the Lower Fraser River

Most of this seasonally available habitat is no longer accessible.
Man on a boat throwing a net into the water on a cloudy day.

Reciprocity and Research – how Raincoast and the Wuikinuxv Nation collaborated on ecosystem-based fisheries management research

It became apparent quickly that any research we did with the Wuikinuxv Nation on grizzly bears would be premised in a deep respect for the well-being of bears. This meant asking questions about the bears’ population, habitat, and food sources. There is a cultural principle in Wuikinuxv of looking ahead over each other and the lands and waters. In the Wuikinuxv language, this practice of being a guardian or a protector is called n̓àn̓akila.
A grizzly bear sits in the water munching on a salmon in their hands.

Research: Fisheries management of the Wuikinuxv bear-salmon-human system guided by n̓àn̓akila and data

Guided by the Wuikinuxv principle of n̓àn̓akila (to keep an eye on something or someone; a protector or guardian), a new study shows how fisheries managers can allocate salmon for wildlife, while balancing the needs of local communities.
Bear Language groups spatial patterns overlaid on the Indigenous language families.

Spatial alignment between grizzly bear genetic groups and Indigenous language families in coastal BC

In the landscape on the central coast of what is now known as British Columbia, genetic analyses have identified three distinct genetic groups of grizzly bears.  The spatial areas of these groups align strikingly well with the geographies of three Indigenous language families (Tsimshian, Northern Wakashan, Salishan Nuxalk).  The explanation the research partnership favours is…
Killer whales surface in a small cluster on the coast of BC.

Dr. Peter S. Ross to lead a new water contaminants program

There is an urgent need for a more comprehensive approach to monitoring water pollution in British Columbia. For these reasons, and more, we are excited to announce that Dr. Ross is leading the new Healthy Waters Program at Raincoast. He will bring new focus, and new reach, to our efforts to safeguard salmon, whales, and people.