Large diversity in new keystones list challenges predominant belief
A team of scientists reveals a wide diversity of the planet’s keystone species in terms of their size, shape, and functional role.
Scientific Literature
Read the published scientific peer-reviewed papers by Raincoast team members and affiliations.
Letter in Science identifies the contradiction between protecting economic growth and biodiversity in Canada’s Fraser River Estuary
The letter, asking whether Canada will permit killer whale extinction, identifies Canada’s conflicting aspirations and obligations to protect biodiversity while continuing to permit megaprojects that destroy the critical habitat of threatened and endangered species.
A ‘supersized’ ecological niche for humans
New research examining the ecological niche of humans shows that over one third of all vertebrate species on Earth are now being used by people.
Southern Resident killer whales not getting enough to eat since 2018
The endangered Southern Resident killer whale population isn’t getting enough to eat, and hasn’t been since 2018, a new study has determined.
New research proves that nutrients from the sea can increase terrestrial plant growth and reproduction
Newly published research from Simon Fraser University shows that salmon and marine plants increase both growth and reproduction in terrestrial plants.
Fly with care: avoiding disturbance when using drones to study cetaceans
Can drones disturb the animals that we strive to understand?
Nearly 40 years of predator reduction efforts have not enhanced moose harvests, study says
The scientific article, published in November 2022 in the peer-reviewed journal Diversity, concluded that there was no correlation between brown and black bear harvest and subsequent moose hunts.
Bold, sustained action can revitalize wild Pacific salmon in the lower Fraser River
New research shows that Wild Salmon populations in the Fraser can recover if action is taken now.
New research on ecotypes clarifies how they can illuminate our understanding of adaptation and evolution
This article systematically reviews the literature on ecotype designations and reflects on recent advances in genetic science to show that genetic analyses can provide concrete evidence for the designation of ecotypes, which has implications for conservation decision making.
Vanishing goats? Not on the watch of the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation
The first signs happened decades ago. KXN community members began to report a decline in sightings of goats once frequently seen from river valleys and the ocean. These patterns were alarming, given the immense cultural value of goats to the Kitasoo Xai’xais people.
Contributions of Indigenous Knowledge to ecological and evolutionary understanding
New research synthesizes the many contributions of Indigenous knowledge and its importance as a distinct but complementary way of knowing to Western science.
The return of sea otters can increase the genetic diversity of eelgrass
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.