Habitat Selection
Canopy cover over aquatic mesocosms limited the arrival of adult dragonflies but did not affect larval survival (French and McCauley 2018). This limited attraction during reproductive habitat selection is likely the cause of previously observed patterns of low larval dragonfly diversity in closed habitats (McCauley et al. 2008).
Aquatic mesocosms under artificial shading ("open" and "closed") at Koffler Scientific Reserve (KSR). The white netting was removed before experiments. © S. French (2013).
The proximity of forest edges around a pond, as potential roosting habitat, did not affect adult dragonfly arrival in relatively open landscapes (Leite et al. 2021).
Proximity of forest edges at 360 degrees around a central pond. Research conducted at KSR. © S. French (2021).
Movement Behaviour
When released at forest edges, more dragonflies flew towards fields than forests, suggesting forests impede dragonfly movement at small scales. Responses to forests in terms of movement and flight times were species-specific. Open environments such as fields likely facilitate the movement of dragonflies at small and large scales (French and McCauley 2019).
When released at a forest edge, Leucorrhinia intacta individuals (black abdomen and thorax) were less likely to take flight than a Sympetrum species (red abdomen and thorax). Across species, dragonflies flew more towards fields than forests when released at a forest edge. Research conducted at KSR. © S. French (2019) and published online by John Wiley and Sons.
Populations and Landscapes
Honey bee colonies are exposed to multiple stressors all at once. Exposure to crops during pollination increases the complexity of stressor networks, which vary among crops and regions (French et al. In Press). In collaboration with researchers from BeeCSI.
Determining how hive-level and landscape-level stressors including pests, pathogens, and pesticides, interact to influence honey bee health in Canadian agricultural regions.
Communities and Landscapes
The influence of modern local conditions versus historical and modern landscape conditions on modern larval dragonfly communities (French et al. In Preparation). In collaboration with researchers through the Edwin S. George Reserve (ESGR).
The recovery of larval dragonfly communities following a drought in response to local versus landscape conditions (French et al. In Preparation). In collaboration with researchers through the ESGR.
The effects of local and landscape conditions on aquatic communities and the health of restored agricultural wetlands (French et al. In Preparation). In collaboration with researchers at Ducks Unlimited Canada.
