Germain, Ryan
Research
Separating the effects of habitat vs. individual quality on fitness in song sparrows
The goal of my research is to understand the effects of habitat quality on female nest-site selection and ultimately on reproductive success in songbirds. Using environmental attributes of nest-sites such as micro-climate, I will partition components of variance in territory and both individual genetic and phenotypic quality as they affect timing of breeding and reproduction in a long-term study population of song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), and clarify the contributions of each to population growth and persistence.
I hope to contribute to our understanding of how the specific attributes of breeding habitat directly influence fitness in songbirds. Knowledge gained from my research on a relatively simple and isolated system may provide insights which can be applied to a wide range of studies focusing on breeding animals in heterogeneous landscapes.
I'm curious almost to a fault. When I observe something I easily become obsessed with understanding exactly what is going on beneath the surface, and the reasons why things work the way they do. A graduate degree in ecology seems like the perfect way to combine my love of the outdoors with this determination to better understand the natural world.
UBC seemed to offer the perfect combination of outstanding research in a vibrant city that was surrounded by stunning scenery. By the time my plane landed, I was sold.
It's a huge campus with a lot of opportunities to learn outside of your specific research area. Take advantage of lectures and classes in other departments to gain a well-rounded research experience.
