My research project set out to investigate the seasonal variation in the thermal tolerance of an imperilled freshwater fish, the Lake Chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta). I conducted this research on the Old Ausable Channel in the Pinery Provincial Park in Southwestern Ontario. To measure the thermal tolerance of Lake Chubsucker, I carried out a series of trials in the field to identify their critical thermal maximum, otherwise known as CTmax, to assess the maximum temperature at which Lake Chubsucker can maintain thermal equilibrium. Additionally, I intend to measure Lake Chubsucker鈥檚 thermal safety margin (TSM) by comparing the CTmax values measured during my internship to local environmental temperatures to measure how closely they live to their thermal limit during a period with pronounced seasonal variation. Identifying when this period of heightened sensitivity occurs will provide an insight into how Lake Chubsucker will likely respond to temperature pulses throughout the year which could help predict the lethality of local temperature pulses or anomalies associated with climate change.
I was interested in doing an ARIA project because it provided me with an opportunity to work firsthand on a conservation project from a scientific research-based perspective. Furthermore, partaking in an ARIA project provided me with the necessary resources to dedicate an entire summer to this project which allowed me to explore my interests within the field of environmental sciences outside of a classroom setting. This project was also an excellent way to gain experience working in the field as a research assistant and to also learn valuable techniques for assessing the vulnerability of fishes to climate change.
I was motivated to participate in this project for many reasons. Firstly, as an undergraduate in the Arts/Sci Environment program, I had been very keen to gain research experience in the field, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions there were limited opportunities to do so, therefore this project was a timely opportunity. Another learning objective of mine going into the internship was to learn how to conduct CTmax trials, a sub-lethal and widely used technique for identifying temperature thresholds that can be used in conservation efforts. Moreover, I wanted to gain more experience processing and analysing data using the R Code software. I also wanted to learn how to handle endangered species and to improve my communication and teamwork skills by working alongside a postgraduate student and supervisor. Last but not least, I wanted to improve my ability to work outdoors in a remote area for a long period of time.
There were many highlights during my internship, mostly being in nature every day and being able to work alongside lots of different animal species in the Pinery Provincial Park such as baby geese, vultures, deer, turtles, etc. I also really enjoyed being able to explore a new part of Canada outside of Montreal. However, the highlight of the whole internship had to be when a beautiful fully grown deer came up to the research trailer (situated streamside to the Old Ausable Channel) where my colleague and I were running CTmax trials. She stayed very close to the trailer, and we were able to be close enough to watch her as she went about her day. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed assisting my colleague with her camera traps that she set up to investigate the fish species present in the channel since it involved canoeing up and down the channel for many hours. I really liked the physical aspect of the internship.
I became quite unwell during the internship which was particularly challenging as it really impacted my ability to work outside daily in physical conditions, however, I was able to overcome this limitation due to the support and kindness presented to me by my post-graduate mentor and my supervisor who collectively made it possible for me to conduct my research remotely during these periods. I am sure that ARIA will be instrumental in shaping my future career and education path. Through the experience, I was made more aware of my skills and interests which gave me further insight into the types of career avenues I hope to pursue post-undergraduate studies.
I am grateful to Mr. Harry Samuel for making this opportunity a possibility and for providing me with the support necessary to take part in an extremely enriching experience that I am sure will be instrumental in shaping my future prospects.
