Program details – four illustrated talks:

Sable Island, A Geological Perspective.

Jack MacDonald, Consulting Petroleum Geologist, presently with the Nova Scotia Department of Energy. 

Following his graduation from Acadia University, Jack MacDonald worked as a geologist in the Alberta “oil patch” in a variety of exploration roles before returning to Nova Scotia to teach high school geology, physical science and mathematics. After three years of teaching, Jack moved on to work as a wellsite geological consultant with the offshore energy industries of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Returning to the safety of the onshore he began a career with the provincial government as they were establishing the framework to monitor and regulate the oil and gas industry. He served in a variety of roles, ending with management duties for several years prior to his retirement. Retirement was a brief interlude—Jack is now working again on oil and gas related files for the Nova Scotia Department of Energy.

Talk subject: “Oh whither comest and goest little grain of sand?” Jack will discuss the geological attributes of the island, providing some facts (and speculation) regarding its origin—a glacial remnant, a global oddity, or merely a stoke of good luck? He will meander through some geological concepts and explore a story of true grit; resistance and persistence, and will share some historical (geological) observations and musings about the island's uniqueness.

Lichens on Sable Island, Past, Present and Future

David Richardson, Dean Emeritus, Saint Mary's University.

David Richardson is the former Dean of Science and Professor at Saint Mary’s University. His research interests include all aspects of lichen biology. He has published several books on the subject and over 100 research papers and book chapters. His books include The Vanishing Lichens 1974, The Biology of Mosses 1982, Biological Indicators of Pollution 1987, and Pollution Monitoring with Lichens 1992.

Talk subject: David will present the findings of a recent study of lichens on Sable Island. Lichens are a feature of most sand dune systems, and can be important in stabilizing sand, and some species provide additional inputs of nitrogen. The lichens of Sable Island were first studied in summer 1899 by John Macoun. Since then, several other visiting botanists—e.g. Erskine (1953), Wilson (1976) and Catling et al. (1984)—have collected a few of the more conspicuous lichens. Between 1988 and 1991, Zoe collected 192 lichen specimens and photographed lichens in situ at a range of sites on the island, however the specimens remained unidentified until late 2006 when David Richardson had the opportunity to examine them. The collection—which included some unexpected species—indicated that a survey of the island’s lichens would be worthwhile. In August 2007, David conducted a ten-day study of lichen species and habitats on Sable Island.

Sable Island Horses and the Importance of Long-term, Individual-based Research in Ecology.

Philip McLoughlin, Biology Department, University of Saskatchewan.

Philip McLoughlin is an ecologist at the University of Saskatchewan. His work brings together aspects of behavioural, population, and evolutionary ecology using large mammals as model species. His questions have been primarily directed at the ecology of European and North American mammals, including populations of red deer, caribou, wolves, grizzly bears, and polar bears. Now, in collaboration with Zoe Lucas, Phil is further developing the existing long-term, individual-based program of research and monitoring of the Sable Island horses. He will expand the program to include additional information on behaviour, and will work with Zoe to process and report on more than 20 years of data on locations, habitat use, band structure, life history, and biological samples. Their collaboration will cover a variety of topics, from questions of genetics and population dynamics to how life histories of individual horses might be shaped through interactions with habitat, other horses, and other animals that make Sable Island their home.

Talk subject:  Phil will discuss the importance of individual-based research to ecologists and why the horses of Sable Island offer an unparalleled opportunity to answer some key questions in ecology that can't be asked elsewhere. He will briefly talk about the history of the research program on the Sable Island horses, present some recent results coming out of the program, and outline plans for upcoming field work and analyses.

Sable Island – Year in Review 2007

Zoe Lucas Sable Island

Zoe Lucas first visited Sable Island in 1971, and during the last three decades has been involved in numerous research and environmental monitoring programs, including long-term study of the Sable horses, and beach surveys. Results of her Sable programs—e.g study of marine litter, beached cetaceans, pregnancy rates in horses, extralimital occurrences of northern seals, sources of oil contamination on seabirds—have been published in various scientific journals. Since 2002 Zoe has managed and prepared text and images for the Sable Island website www.GreenHorseSociety.com, and in 2004 became a Research Associate with the Nova Scotia Museum.

Talk subject: Zoe will provide a review of Sable Island highlights for year 2007, including horse news, results of beach surveys, visitors, and new sampling programs at the Station.