Elizabeth A. Gow
I'm a behavioural conservation ecologist. I study how animals use and move between habitats. I use cameras and tracking devices to learn about the lives of animals and how we can best conserve them.
Areas of Expertise:
Tracking animal migration
Movement Ecology Ornithology Habitat use Parental care Full annual cycle ecology Conservation Life History Trade-offs Employment and Education Current: Movement Ecologist, Birds Canada & Adjunct Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph Past: Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph Past: NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph Past: Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellow Department of Conservation and Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia PhD University of Saskatchewan MSc York University BHSc York University Contact: egow (at) uoguelph.ca Google Scholar Link |
About:I am interested in understanding why and how many animal populations are declining, and how we can stop the declines. I conduct interdisciplinary research that uses the field, laboratory, quantitative modelling, and innovative tracking technologies to get a better understanding of how we can help animals survive in the face of global change.
I firmly believe that for conservation to succeed scientists need to listen to stakeholder goals and engage them in research of mutual benefit. I use this approach to help solve complex problems using transdisciplinary frameworks and am always open to Overall my past and current research spans three broad research areas: 1. Birds in a changing world: annual cycles, habitat use and life history 2. Effects of domestic cats on Canada's environment 3. What is lurking in your yard: Urban animals Please check out the projects section to learn more. I am always open for potential collaborations, please contact me if you are interested. In the NewsCheck out my work on domestic cats featured in the documentary, "Running Wild: The Cats of Cornwall" premiering on TVO at 9pm on Nov 24, 2020.
Trailer: m.facebook.com/watch/?v=820577685413384&_rdr Online version of documentary As part of promotion for this documentary I also took part in a panel discussion on The Agenda with Steve Paikin. Check out recent media coverage of our Vancouver Cat Count, in partnership with the Stewardship Centre for British Columbia and Environment and Climate Change Canada. CBC British Columbia CBC Vancouver News Global News Radio CTV news |
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Announcements:
I am looking for a PhD student to study the behaviour of domestic cats and their impacts on wildlife. I currently hold an Adjunct Professorship, in the Department of Integrative Biology, at the University of Guelph. I have recently started a position with Birds Canada as a Movement Ecologist. I will be synthesizing animal movement data from the Motus Wildlife Telemetry System and other technologies to help identify conservation priorities.
Recently published papers:
Gow EA, P Arcese, D Dagenais, RJ Sardell, S Wilson, JM Reid. 2019. Testing predictions of inclusive fitness theory in inbreeding relatives with biparental care. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 286:20191933 PDF Gow EA, SM Knight, DW Bradley, RG Clark, DW Winkler, M Bélisle, L Berzins, T Blake, ES Bridge, L Burke, RD Dawson, PO Dunn, D Garant, G Holroyd, AG Horn, DJT Hussell, O Lansdorp, AJ Laughlin, ML Leonard, F Pelletier, D Shutler, L Siefferman, C Taylor, H Trefry, CM Vleck, D Vleck, LA Whittingham, DR Norris. 2019. Effects of spring migration distance on tree swallow reproductive success within and among flyways. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 7:380 PDF DeZwaan, D^. S Wilson, EA Gow, K Martin. Sex-specific spatiotemporal variation and carry-over effects in a migratory alpine songbird Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 7:285 PDF Knight SM^, DW Bradley, RG Clark, EA Gow, M Bélisle, L Berzins, T Blake, ES Bridge, RD Dawson, PO Dunn, D Garant, G Holroyd, AG Horn, DJT Hussell, O Lansdorp, AJ Laughlin, ML Leonard, F Pelletier, D Shutler, L Siefferman, C Taylor, H Trefry, CM Vleck, D Vleck, DW Winkler, LA Whittingham, DR Norris. Non-breeding season movements of a migratory songbird are related to declines in resource availability. The Auk: Ornithological Advances ukz028 PDF Gow EA, L Burke, DW Winkler, SM Knight, DW Bradley, RG Clark, M Bélisle, L Berzins, T Blake, ES Bridge, RD Dawson, PO Dunn, D Garant, G Holroyd, AG Horn, DJT Hussell, O Lansdorp, AJ Laughlin, ML Leonard, F Pelletier, D Shutler, L Siefferman, C Taylor, H Trefry, CM Vleck, D Vleck, LA Whittingham, DR Norris. 2019. A range-wide domino effect and resetting of the annual cycle in a migratory songbird. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 286: 20181916 PDF Knight SM^, DW Bradley, RG Clark, EA Gow, M Bélisle, L Berzins, T Blake, ES Bridge, RD Dawson, PO Dunn, D Garant, G Holroyd, AG Horn, DJT Hussell, O Lansdorp, AJ Laughlin, ML Leonard, F Pelletier, D Shutler, L Siefferman, C Taylor, H Trefry, CM Vleck, D Vleck, DW Winkler, LA Whittingham, DR Norris. 2018. Constructing and evaluating a continent-wide migratory songbird network across the annual cycle. Ecological Monographs 88:445–460 PDF Click Here for an infographic describing this paper ^ Student papers |
