Bjorkman, Anne
Research
The evolutionary consequences of climate change in natural populations
I am conducting experiments to determine whether evolutionary adaptation has occurred in arctic plant communities as a result of long-term warming experiment put in place in 1992. A second experiment will investigate whether plants from more southerly latitudes will be able to migrate northward and establish in new environments as temperatures increase. The results of this research will increase our understanding of the likely effects of future changes in climate throughout the world.
It sounds cliched, but I really do hope my research will help make the world a better place, both for people and for the amazing variety of life on our planet. The two are certainly interconnected, and my research can contribute to our knowledge of ecological patterns and processes, which can in turn be extrapolated to improving our understanding of the interactions between humans and natural systems.
I had been planning to be an ecologist of some sort since elementary school. I started working as a research assistant during my undergraduate career and I loved it. Continuing on to graduate school was never a hard decision.
I came to UBC originally to complete my Master's degree in the Botany department. My decision was based primarily on my interest in the research being conducted by my supervisor, and also somewhat on my desire to live close to the mountains and the ocean.
Canada is beautiful. I find it is not very different from the United States, but people are generally open and friendly. And Canada has universal health care.
By default, my most memorable experience was the Botany grad student orientation meeting three years ago, where I met my now-fiancee.
My other favorite Vancouver moments have been browsing the amazing display of fresh produce at Granville Island, watching fireworks from the beach, hiking in the North Shore mountains, taking weekend trips to the Gulf Islands, and having tea at the restaurant in Queen Elizabeth Park.
Natural history, hiking, skiing, reading, music
I hope to continue conducting research in ecology and conservation biology.
