People Involved
Dr. Yolanda Wiersma
Dr. Yolanda Wiersma is a professor in the Biology Department at Memorial University, St. John’s, NL. She runs the Landscape Ecology and Spatial Analysis (LESA) Lab. Her esearch interests are in landscape ecology and conservation biology with a focus on the distribution and ecology of boreal species. Current research projects in the LESA Lab include: - understanding distribution and ecology of eastern coyote (Canis latrans) - understanding distribution and ecology of boreal felt lichen (Erioderma pedecellatum) - investigating the relationship between moose density and forest regeneration on the island of Newfoundland - quantifying the effects of ATV trails on ecosystem connectivity on the island of Newfoundland - development and testing of tools to measure aquatic connectivityThis Geoweb project is part of a larger GEOIDE-funded project being led by Dr. Renee Sieber at McGill, entitled “The Participatory Geoweb for Engaging the Public on Global Environmental Change”.
Yolanda's favourite natural spots in Newfoundland: Sandy Cove Beach, Eastport Peninsula; Ferryland Head, Avalon Peninsla
Yolanda's favourite outdoor activities: hiking with her kids, canoeing, kayaking, c-country skiing
Yolanda's favourite quote about nature: "Find your place on the planet. Dig in, and take responsibility from there" -Gary Snyder
Roman Lukyanenko
Roman Lukyanenko (student at Memorial University of Newfoundland) is responsible for the technical development of the website and technical support.
Roman's research interests include database management, domain modeling, human-computer interaction, similarity theories, instance-based database design, cognitive aspects of information systems, classification theories, citizen science, increasing quality of information collected from non-experts.
Roman's favourite quotes: "Today is your day, your mountain is waiting, so get on your way" "Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." - Anne Frank
Great music that has a lot of meaning to me: Siberian Frosts (Kuzmin), Evenings in Russia (Beliy Orel), Clear Ponds (Talkov), Summer Rain (Talkov), Dasha : ) (Leonidov)
Other favourite: Hey You , Chi Mai, Russian Wedding Waltz, After the Ball (malikov), Vladimirskiy Central (Krug), Crows in the Sky (Shevchuk), Peterburg (Shevchuk). Full Playist here.
Randy Skinner
Randy Skinner is an MSc (Env) student in the LESA lab who has helped with the conceptualization of the website, as well as development of supporting materials. Randy's thesis involves using known occurrences of the Boreal Felt lichen to develop a predictive habitat model to predict where else on the island there might be suitable habitat for this globally rare species. Observations from the public posted to this site will help him test and refine his model.
Randy's favourite natural spots in Newfoundland: Blow Me Down Mountain, York Harbour; Dragon Bay and Facheux Bay, South Coast.
Randy's favourite outdoor activities: bridwatching, geocaching
Randy's favourite quote about nature:
'The magic of fog and wind and sea and ice,
boggy ponds and peat lined gullies,
barrens and marshes and gnarled woods,
shapes and clours, changing in the dusk and dawn....'
Take a look at Randy's lichen observations: http://www.nlnature.com/Wildlife-Observations-Sightings/25.aspx
Unkown lichen: http://www.nlnature.com/Newfoundland-Canada-Nature/65.aspx
Another unknown lichen: http://www.nlnature.com/Newfoundland-Canada-Nature/66.aspx
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