Allison Dennert, PhD
Quantitative Salmon Ecologist

Dr. Allison Dennert is the Quantitative Salmon Ecologist on Raincoast’s Wild Salmon Program team. She conducts scientific research and applied conservation initiatives to advance ecologically sustainable salmon management in BC and support the recovery of at-risk populations.

She completed her Doctorate in Biology at Simon Fraser University in the Earth2Ocean Research Group. Her research examines the role of nutrients from spawning Pacific salmon in terrestrial ecosystems, and she is passionate about coastal wildflowers and their pollinators. As a part of her doctoral work she spent several years living and working in Haíɫzaqv Territory in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, boating to salmon watersheds and whale watching on the way to work. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia in Biology, with a specialization in Marine Biology. 

Prior to her work on Pacific salmon, Allison conducted research on the ecology and speciation of other freshwater fishes in the salmon family. She has worked in eelgrass meadows, inland lakes, behind the microscope, and in a herbarium caring for species of marine algae new to science.

She is also passionate about science education, museums, and science fairs. She is a member of the board of directors of the Evans Lake Forest Education Society, a charitable organization that has provided forest education programs to children and youth since 1960.

In her spare time, Allison enjoys gardening, running, hiking, skiing, and camping. She is often distracted on her adventures and spends much of this time excitedly crouched over interesting insects and plants she finds on the ground.

Publications

A.M. Dennert, E. Elle, and J.D. Reynolds. 2023. Experimental addition of marine-derived nutrients affects wildflower traits in a coastal meta-ecosystem. Royal Society Open Science, 10: 221008. DOI

N.F. Rammell*, A.M. Dennert1, C.M. Ernst, and J.D. Reynolds. 2021. Effects of spawning Pacific salmon on terrestrial invertebrates: Insects near spawning habitat are isotopically enriched with nitrogen‐15 but display no differences in body size. Ecology and Evolution​, 11(18): 12728-12738. DOI

L.D. Siemens, A.M. Dennert2, D.S. Obrist, and J.D. Reynolds. 2020. Spawning salmon density influences fruit production of salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis). Ecosphere, 11: e03282. DOI

A.M. Dennert, S.L. May-McNally, M.H. Bond, T.P. Quinn, and E.B. Taylor. 2016. Trophic biology and migratory patterns of sympatric Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 94: 529-539. DOI

In the news

Stefan Labbé. ‘Smelly work’: B.C. study finds dead salmon make plants grow bigger, Times Colonist, 2023.

SFU Com.s, How salmon feed flowers & flourishing ecosystems: study, SFU News, 2023.

GrrlScientist. How Salmon Feed Wildflowers And Transform Entire Landscapes. Forbes. 2023.

Molly Campbell. Nutrients From Salmon Carcass Feed Flowers. Technology Network Applied Sciences. 2023.

Nancy MacDonald, Months-long drought on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast prompts water ban, climate anxiety, Globe and Mail, 2022.

Recent articles

Three heads of Southern resident killer whales emerge from the ocean surface, water splashing as they breathe.

Turning the tide for Southern Resident killer whales

At 73 individuals, the southern resident killer whales’ decline since…

A group of youth gather at the bow of a sailboat and admire the dorsal fin of a whale in the distance.

Building a culture of marine-mammal safe boating on the coast

This free course can help keep you and wildlife safe…

A man smiles at the camera, standing in front of a calm body of water, wearing a deep blue jacket.

How science can lead to tangible options that improve everyday outcomes

An interview with the newest selection committee member for the…

A beaver swims in a calm body of water, surrounded by green wetland with a forest in the background.

Beaver-based restoration

In a time when catastrophic conflagrations are becoming a new…

Two scientists stand at the edge of a body of water, one standing up, wearing a red raincoat and writing notes, the other crouching and deploying a tool into the water on a long cord.

A watershed based approach to assessing water quality in Cheakamus/Green River watersheds

Read our reports from working with Whistler Lakes Conservation Foundation…

A black bear standing in belly deep flowing water sinks teeth into a large salmon, splashing.

New research highlights important routes to spawning salmon for coastal bears

Hey Siri – what’s the best route to a seafood…

Notes and references

  1. Shared joint first-authorship.
  2. Cover image © Allison M. Dennert, Ecosphere (Volume 11, Issue 12)

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