Published scientific literature

Raincoast is a team of scientists and conservationists that undertake primary research and publishes peer-reviewed science to inform our conservation objectives. As an evidence-based, conservation science organisation (science ENGO), that operates a research lab, research field station and a research/sailing vessel, we are unique in Canada.

Two people looking in a viewfinder at a salmon smolt while doing monitoring on the North Arm Jetty — Photo by Alex Harris / Raincoast Conservation Foundation.

Two people analyzing bear hair. — Photo by Grant Callegari, Hakai Magazine

Investigate. Inform. Inspire.

Raincoast’s in-house scientists, collaborating graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors make us unique among conservation groups. We work with First Nations, academic institutions, government and other NGOs to gather information and build support for decisions that protect marine and terrestrial ecosystems, their components and processes. We conduct applied, process-oriented, and hypothesis-driven research that has immediate and relevant utility for the conservation debate and the collective body of scientific knowledge.

Peer-reviewed science publications

Two sea otters float hugging each other and looking into the camera, with a figure of data floating over the scene.

The return of sea otters can increase the genetic diversity of eelgrass

2021 November 15

Scientific literature

Contrary to how it may appear, it turns out that sea otters ripping up eelgrass actually does the plant – and the nearshore ecosystem – a favour.

On ensuring animal welfare in research using live capture

2021 October 26

Scientific literature

A recent journal article, published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution, draws attention to the need for consistent and high standards for animal welfare in research, and the important role…

An eagle rests on a log with a map in the background.

New research shows the influence of salmon abundance on the movement of bald eagles

2021 September 13

Scientific literature

The effect of salmon carcass availability on eagle distribution across multiple rivers was previously not well understood.

Kelp lays in a tangle in the Salish Sea.

They’re everywhere: research finds polyester fibres throughout the Arctic Ocean

2021 August 31

Scientific literature

The presence of microplastics raises concerns that textiles, laundry and municipal wastewater may be an important source of these emerging pollutants.

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

2021 August 12

Scientific literature

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…

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

2021 August 7

Scientific literature

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…

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

2021 August 3

Scientific literature

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…

A wolf prances across the ice with all four feet frozen in time floating above the ice, a chart floating in the distance.

Recommendations towards greater transparency in the science, science communication, and values-driven processes of natural resource management

2021 June 21

Scientific literature

A new paper, published by a team of researchers including Raincoast scientists, dives into the tangle of cognitive bias, institutional agendas, human interests, and pays special attention to the role…

A map and a science figure from Christina Service's paper hover in the foreground with a Spirit bear scratching their ear in the background.

Research: Dietary differences among individuals with different genes and coat colours gives insight into the maintenance of the Spirit bears among black bear populations

2021 May 6

Scientific literature

The paper, “Intrapopulation foraging niche variation between phenotypes and genotypes of Spirit bear populations,” was published in the open-access journal Ecology and Evolution.

A snapshot of the Conservation Biology research article floats in front of a giant grizzly bear in the mist.

Research: The eroding social license to hunt carnivores

2021 February 11

Scientific literature

A new study suggests killing predators like wolves, grizzly bears, and cougars for trophy is a potential threat not only to these sensitive animals, but also to other hunters…

A tiny juvenile Chinook salmon in a viewfinder in the Lower Fraser River.

Chinook salmon exhibit long-term rearing and early marine growth in the Fraser River, B.C., a large urban estuary

2021 January 20

Scientific literature

Using tiny salmon ear bones, or otoliths, Raincoast researchers and partners were able to demonstrate that Chinook salmon from Harrison River rely on the Fraser estuary for one to two…

An infographic about the Fraser Estuary overlayed on top of an underwater photo of some salmon.

Research: Conservation in heavily urbanized biodiverse regions requires urgent management action and attention to governance

2020 December 15

Scientific literature

A new open access research paper led by Dr. Tara Martin at the UBC Conservation Decisions Lab applied a novel conservation decision making tool called Priority Threat Management to identify…