Researchers at UBCO are investigating how sweet cherry flower buds survive freezing temperatures in winter orchards.

Researchers at UBC Okanagan are working to learn more about how sweet cherry trees naturally protect their buds from freezing during cold winter months.

Dr. Elizabeth Houghton recently graduated from the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science’s Department of Biology. Her latest paper, published in Plant Biology, examines how sweet cherries, like many fruit trees, use a natural survival strategy called supercooling to protect undeveloped flower buds during freezing temperatures.

This is critical for fruit trees because these flower buds must survive the winter to produce the following year’s crop.

In late January 2024, temperatures in the Okanagan dipped to –27°C, causing severe damage to many fruit trees. Estimates indicate that 90 per cent of the anticipated summer crop was destroyed.

While many trees have natural methods to survive harsh winters, a supercooling survival process in stone fruits still raises questions for researchers.

“Plants like sweet cherries can survive freezing temperatures in winter using supercooling. When in a supercooled state, the liquid in plant cells can avoid freezing, even at temperatures well below 0°C —we call this a metastable liquid. However, the liquid can freeze if triggered by an impurity or ice particle,” she says.

“We don’t fully understand how this works in some plant structures, and we wanted to learn more about how sweet cherry flower buds survive cold temperatures.”

While most research on stone fruit-bearing trees has focused on peaches, Dr. Houghton notes that little attention has been paid to sweet cherry flower buds containing multiple primordia. These cell structures develop into a flower and eventually produce fruit, rather than just a single one like those of a peach tree.

Dr. Houghton examined several factors to better understand supercooling, including how ice forms in the buds, how the outer layers freeze, and the internal changes buds undergo as the weather warms and spring approaches.

Dr. Houghton notes that cherry trees are especially vulnerable in early spring because they lose their ability to supercool as the buds grow. A sudden cold snap can be disastrous, she explains.

“In simple terms, cherry buds have a special way of protecting themselves from freezing in winter, but as buds grow in the spring, they lose some of that protection,” says Dr. Houghton.

“We are trying to understand better how these fruit buds survive extreme winter temperatures,” she adds. “And because there is some debate about what winters might look like in the future—we may experience more extreme cold snaps—it’s important that we learn from the cherry trees to work towards protecting fruit crops.”

The governments of Canada and British Columbia funded this project through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC delivered the program.

An anonymous private foundation, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the BC Cherry Association and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada provided additional funding.

The post Cherry trees protect buds from freezing by supercooling, but how? appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

New research shows that endangered caribou are migrating shorter distances due to habitat loss and environmental changes.

Decades of data following the migratory patterns of endangered caribou show that migration areas have decreased significantly. Researchers are concerned that resource extraction is disturbing caribou habitats.

Dr. Clayton Lamb, a researcher with UBC Okanagan’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, led a team that recently published a paper detailing the migration patterns of several threatened caribou herds.

Their study, published this week in Global Change Biology, showed the caribou herds changed their migratory duration, distance or elevation over 35 years of radio tag tracking using very high frequency and Global Positioning System collars.

“Western science and Indigenous knowledge recognize the critical role of migration in sustaining abundant wildlife populations, yet these movements are increasingly disrupted by human activity worldwide,” says Dr. Lamb. “We studied the extent and type of migration as well as changes through time, and determined if these changes correlated with landscape disturbance or shifts in weather.”

The research team, which included representatives from Environment and Climate Change Canada, BC’s Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, and Alberta Environment and Parks, analyzed telemetry data for southern mountain caribou from 1987 to 2022.

Study data was collected from 1,704,842 caribou relocations of more than 800 animals across 27 southern mountain caribou subpopulations.

“The data shows that most of these subpopulations remain migratory to some degree, but seasonal migrations appear to be shrinking in both duration and extent,” says Dr. Lamb.

“Though our study spanned just 35 years—a blink compared to millennia caribou have been migrating here—we found migration eroding, not due to weather shifts, but alongside expanding human disturbance and caribou population decline.”

Migrating ungulates, like caribou, follow seasonally available foods, tracking gradients in rainfall, snow depth and safety from predators. Barren-ground caribou in the North American Arctic are known to complete one of the most dramatic migrations, with herds numbering in the hundreds of thousands, including pregnant females, moving 200–500 km each year between seasonal ranges.

While not as dramatic, southern mountain caribou migrations historically occurred vertically, up and down mountains, and horizontally between mountainous areas and lowland forests. But this appears to be changing, says Lamb.

“Due to their southern distribution, these caribou are exposed to higher levels of human-caused landscape disturbance and associated habitat change and loss. Observations from Indigenous communities, local people, scientists and government biologists indicate that southern mountain caribou migrations are changing or not happening at all.”

Dr. Adam Ford, Director of UBC’s Wildlife Restoration Ecology Lab and UBCO’s Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience and Ecosystem Services, is part of the research team and says habitat loss for the caribou is a definite threat to the survival of the species.

“Southern mountain caribou migration, including the distance and elevation change, has declined significantly over the past 40 years, and we believe these changes are correlated with human-caused disturbances, including change and loss to habitat,” he adds.

Dr. Ford noted in 1983, the average per cent of the landscape disturbed by human causes, including logging, reservoirs and oil and gas drilling activity, was about five per cent, while natural disturbance from fire and pests was 0.3 per cent.

By 2020, however, more than 30 per cent of that landscape was disturbed by human behaviour.

“Within the last 35 years, human-caused disturbance increased nearly sixfold within the ranges of the caribou subpopulations. Beyond impacts to migration, habitat disturbance—which has disrupted predator-prey dynamics—is a primary cause of caribou population declines,” says Dr. Ford. “It’s important to note the southern mountain caribou population declined by more than 50 per cent over the period of our investigation.”

Shrinking caribou populations and loss of their migratory behaviour indicate a landscape that isn’t sustaining caribou or their formerly adaptive migratory habits. During the observation period, researchers noted the near collapse of elevational migration for five southern caribou subpopulations.

“Sustaining caribou populations and their migratory behaviour into the future will require a rapid change in managing the landscape that facilitates extensive habitat conservation, restoration and a reduction in ongoing human-caused disturbance,” adds Dr. Lamb.

“Creating a landscape with suitable caribou habitats and lower predator densities that can once again sustain caribou is imperative to preserve their migratory behaviour and support recovery efforts.”

The post Researchers find caribou migration patterns are shrinking appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Dr. Joshua Brinkerhoff speaks to attendees during a tour of UBCO’s H2LAB on Thursday, highlighting the lab’s cutting-edge hydrogen research and its potential for low-carbon energy innovation.

With its doors now officially open, UBC Okanagan’s new hydrogen research laboratory (H2LAB) is set to become a key hub for clean energy innovation in British Columbia.

The facility will support work around hydrogen blending, storage and real-world applications, researchers from both organizations said during the official opening on Thursday.

UBCO’s Vice-Principal of Research and Innovation, Dr. Suzie Currie, said the lab is a key step in fulfilling the university’s commitment to sustainable energy innovation and fostering industry-academic collaboration.

“H2LAB represents the future of clean energy research in British Columbia,” said Dr. Currie. “This facility is not just a research space—it’s a hub where academia and industry can work together to advance the real-world application of hydrogen technologies. With FortisBC’s generous support, we can help move this critical research forward and drive low-carbon energy solutions for the province and beyond.”

The 2,000-square-foot H2LAB, located in UBCO’s Innovation Precinct, will explore how hydrogen can be safely blended into natural gas supply systems and utilized across multiple industries, including aerospace, automotive and marine transport. The facility was established with $2.3 million in funding from UBC, supplemented by $500,000 from FortisBC and $800,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Dawn Mehrer, FortisBC’s Vice President of Corporate Services and Technology, reinforced the company’s commitment to hydrogen as a low-carbon energy source.

“Through innovation, FortisBC is taking steps to help reduce emissions while meeting the energy needs of homes and businesses across our province,” she said.

Following the opening remarks, attendees toured the H2LAB, where UBCO researchers showcased their ongoing work in hydrogen testing and material compatibility. UBCO researcher Dr. Dimitry Sediako highlighted the lab’s advanced testing capabilities, which include hydrogen permeability testing, fatigue crack growth analysis and other industry-critical assessments.

“Before H2LAB, this kind of hydrogen research wasn’t happening at this scale in Western Canada,” said Dr. Sediako. “Now, we have a facility that can conduct world-class testing and collaborate with industry partners to develop the materials and technologies needed for a hydrogen-powered future.”

UBCO’s hydrogen research is expected to have wide-ranging implications, from supporting clean transportation initiatives to enhancing the safety and efficiency of hydrogen energy infrastructure. With FortisBC’s support, the university is poised to become a key player in Canada’s hydrogen research landscape.

As the event concluded, Dr. Will Hughes, Director of UBCO’s School of Engineering, emphasized the lab’s role as an open, collaborative space for industry engagement.

“Today is all about celebrating the collaboration between FortisBC and UBCO—where we are, and where we are going, with hydrogen research,” said Dr. Hughes. “We’re proud to showcase this space and let industry and community know that it stands at the ready. Come and work with us. Bring us your challenges and opportunities. Be part of hydrogen innovation in the region. Our doors are open.”

The post UBCO, FortisBC celebrate launch of Hydrogen Research Lab appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

BARK volunteer Sam Levin, left, and Nava greet students at UBC Okanagan. A new study from UBCO’s School of Education found therapy dogs can ease feelings of loneliness. (Freya Green photo)

Therapy dogs not only help reduce student stress but also ease feelings of loneliness—an effect that appears to be particularly pronounced for international students, new research from UBC Okanagan says.

The research was led by Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, professor, UBCO’s School of Education and director of the Building Academic Retention Through K-9s (B.A.R.K.) program. In the study, researchers examined the impact of a drop-in canine-assisted intervention on more than 1,000 students.

Participants reported lower stress and loneliness levels after spending time with therapy dogs and their handlers, with international students experiencing slightly greater reductions in both measures compared to their domestic peers.

“This research reinforces what we already know about the benefits of therapy dogs on stress, but it also highlights their ability to combat loneliness — a growing concern among university students,” says Dr. Binfet. “Drop-in dog therapy programs offer an accessible way to create meaningful opportunities for students to connect and improve their wellbeing.”

Co-authors include BARK coordinator Freya Green, and student researchers Rebecca Godard, Madisyn Szypula and Amelia Willcox.

Unlike previous studies that set specific interaction times, this research allowed students to determine the length of their visit, with most staying around 32 minutes. The study also included both undergraduate and graduate students, providing a broader look at how different student populations respond to canine-assisted interactions.

While the findings support existing research on stress reduction, Dr. Binfet notes that loneliness has been less studied in this context. “The connection between stress and loneliness is well-documented, but our study adds to the understanding of how brief, informal interactions with therapy dogs can address both.”

“As a graduate student, I see firsthand how loneliness affects my colleagues,” says Szypula, a student researcher in the School of Engineering. “The 16% representation of graduate students in this study shows that we are equally in need of low-barrier mental health resources. Research like this is crucial in showing the importance of initiatives that encourage social connection and provide the support necessary for students to thrive.”

The research was conducted as part of UBCO’s long-running B.A.R.K. program, which has provided on-campus therapy dog sessions and conducted canine-assisted intervention studies for over a decade.

The full study, Keeping Loneliness on a Short Leash: Reducing University Student Stress and Loneliness through a Canine-Assisted Intervention, is published in Human-Animal Interactions.

The post Feeling lonely? Campus therapy dogs may be the fix, study says appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

An investment from Fortis BC will provide even more opportunities for K–12 students to participate in UBCO’s Geering Up programs.

An investment from FortisBC is helping UBC Okanagan inspire more of tomorrow’s engineers, scientists, critical thinkers, change-makers and problem-solvers.

FortisBC is investing more than $150,000 over three years to support UBC Okanagan’s Geering Up program. This initiative is designed to inspire and engage youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

The funding will allow Geering Up to increase its outreach and programming, providing more opportunities for students to explore STEM through workshops, camps and special events.

“Geering Up is all about connecting, inspiring and nurturing the engineers of tomorrow,” says Adam Cornford, Manager of Geering Up Okanagan. “FortisBC’s support will be instrumental in broadening the program’s reach to communities outside Kelowna—namely Penticton, Revelstoke and Kamloops to start. It will also help us develop and deliver new programming in conservation and sustainability. We will be simultaneously opening doors for more students and broadening the pathways for learning into some relevant areas, which is very exciting.”

UBC’s Geering Up program, which aims to spark curiosity and develop essential skills, offers students engaging, hands-on STEM experiences. The program reaches youths in nearly 50 communities annually, providing almost 5,000 K-12 students with opportunities to participate in STEM programs at UBC’s Okanagan and Vancouver campuses.

Juan Rincon, Program Manager of Community Programs for FortisBC, says the investment reflects the company’s commitment to fostering innovation locally and supporting the next generation of thinkers and leaders, particularly around energy efficiency and conservation.

As both the electricity and gas provider for the region, FortisBC—FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc.—sees advancing skills in this area as vital to meeting the province’s energy needs into the future as well as driving forward the overall emissions reductions required to achieve a lower-carbon energy future.

“We appreciate the work UBCO’s Geering Up team is doing to incorporate energy efficiency and conservation into its STEM programming which is an intrinsic part of sound engineering practices,” says Rincon. “We’re pleased to provide funding for this effort and hope it inspires local youths to become future leaders in this field.”

Building on its successful model in Kelowna, Geering Up will now look to partner with local school districts, libraries and communities to help bring its program to more students, teachers and parents. Geering Up is working toward rolling out the expanded programming in communities by mid-2025.

“Our goal is to build long-term relationships and pathways for students and educators in the communities we are working in,” says Cornford. “STEM topics can feel intimidating for many, and we want to help dismantle the misconceptions for students and also equip educators with new and exciting ways to integrate STEM into their classrooms and other community spaces.”

Geering Up offers:
• Summer camps for participants entering grades 1 to 12 at UBC’s Okanagan campus. Last summer, more than 325 youths participated in 36 camps in topics from aerospace to coding and robotics.
• Saturday clubs from January to April. Each session features new curriculum and hands-on activities led by UBCO undergraduate students.
• Professional development programming to help teachers bolster their STEM skills and knowledge.

“We are deeply grateful to FortisBC for its generous support of Geering Up,” says Dr. Will Hughes, Director of UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering. “This funding will help us deliver innovative programming and inspire even more students to explore STEM learning and career paths. We want students to know that they can do this—that with the right support and empowerment, they can thrive in STEM programs from very early on in their education all the way through post-secondary.”

For more information about the Geering Up program, visit geeringupokanagan.ca.

The post UBCO will help more youth explore engineering careers with Geering Up expansion appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

UBC Okanagan Drs. Michelle St. Pierre and Zach Walsh have created an index of cannabis equivalency to standardize dosing.

UBC Okanagan researchers Drs. Zach Walsh and Michelle St. Pierre have created an Index of Cannabis Equivalence (ICE), a unique approach to standardized cannabis dosing across different consumption methods.

Published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, this study represents a significant step towards establishing cannabis dosing guidelines comparable to the standard drink for alcohol.

“Different cannabis consumption methods can produce varied psychoactive effects, which makes it difficult to establish comparable doses across products,” explains Dr. St. Pierre, a member of the Therapeutic, Recreational and Problematic Substance Use Lab.

“The ICE addresses this challenge by providing user-informed equivalencies grounded in psychoactive effects, offering a practical framework to help individuals make informed decisions and better manage their cannabis use.”

The ICE proposes equivalencies for “low-dose” cannabis consumption based on user-reported experiences. An analysis of data from more than 1,300 participants aged 18 to 93 revealed these low-dose equivalents:

• Two puffs from a joint, pipe, or vaporizer.

• One 5 mg THC edible.

• A quarter dab of concentrate.

• One bong hit.

These equivalencies are based on data from individuals with low tolerance for cannabis, ensuring the guidelines prioritize safety and accessibility, particularly for new or infrequent users.

“By creating practical and user-centred guidelines, the ICE can support harm reduction, public health initiatives and consumer education while improving consistency in research and policy,” says Dr. Walsh of UBCO’s Department of Psychology.

The post Do two puffs equal a bong hit? Research aims to find out appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Medical advice, help and doctors with a tablet for healthcare, research and medicine planning. Communication, collaboration and men working in cardiology talking about surgery results on technology.

UBC Okanagan’s School of Nursing is now accepting applications for its newest professional development opportunity, a micro-credential in case management and care coordination.

Designed for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, this two-course program addresses the complexities of primary care nursing in today’s health-care environment.

“Evidence shows that having access to primary care improves patient outcomes,” said Sheila Epp, Associate Professor of Teaching at UBC Okanagan.

“UBC Okanagan is committed to developing nursing education to support nurses in building their competencies to be leaders and high-functioning members of interdisciplinary primary care teams.”

This micro-credential program equips students with the expertise to develop, implement and evaluate patient-centred care plans.

Participants will master case management and care coordination principles to collaborate within interprofessional teams and address client needs, including those with chronic diseases or complex social determinants of health.

The program supports nurses in meeting the increasing demand for skilled care coordinators in primary health-care settings, such as clinics and community centres.

Key competencies include applying chronic disease management strategies and fostering health behaviour change, making graduates invaluable in improving client outcomes.

“We know that nurses play a key role in team-based primary care, and specific education in the care area, like these micro-credentials, is important for success,” says Shannon Moore, an adjunct professor at UBCO and primary care nurse with Interior Health.

“As a primary care nurse of over a decade and now an instructor, I am passionate about educating nurses to maximize their role and scope to bring primary care to all.”

Open to registered nurses and psychiatric nurses in Canada, as well as nursing students in their final year, the program provides flexibility with its non-credit format, making it an accessible option for continuing education.

Learners who complete the micro-credential will also receive a UBC Okanagan digital badge, a recognized symbol of achievement and competency. This program is part of a series of stackable micro-credentials targeted at primary care nurses.

The first intake starts in February.

For more information, visit cpe.ok.ubc.ca/programs/case-management-and-care-coordination-for-primary-care-nursing.

The post Case management focus of new nursing micro-credential appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Artist Taylor Baptiste with her piece, How Turtle Set the Animal People Free.

Who: Taylor Baptiste exhibition q̓ayisxn—Off the Rocks exhibition
What: Artist talk and opening reception
Where: FINA Gallery, Creative and Critical Studies Building, UBC Okanagan, 1148 Research Rd., Kelowna
When: Artist talk, Friday, January 10 at 4 pm; opening reception begins at 5 pm
Exhibition Dates: January 9–22, weekdays from 10 am–4 pm

UBC Okanagan Gallery hosts the contemporary sculptures of emerging Syilx artist Taylor Baptiste as her work q̓ayisxn—Off the Rocks is installed on campus.

This exhibition, Baptiste’s second in the Okanagan, features two large contemporary sculptures: How Turtle Set the Animal People Free and Flight of Union.

Her work combines the traditional practice of pictograph making with contemporary sculpture to bring the cultural teachings of her ancestors off the rock and into three-dimensional space,” says Okanagan Gallery Curator Dr. Stacey Koosel.

These larger-than-life installations, like much of Baptiste’s artistic practice, draw from the surrounding landscape, cultures and materials and use a red ochre pigment to honour the sites and stories of her ancestors, explains Dr. Koosel, who along with Curatorial Assistant Ryan Trafananko curated the exhibition.

“Taylor Baptiste is a talented, exciting young artist,” says Dr. Koosel. “We are so honoured to be the first to show her artwork in Kelowna.”

Baptiste is an interdisciplinary artist from the Osoyoos Indian Band of the Okanagan Nation. She draws upon her upbringing in Nk’mip—a field of sagebrush and wild roses nestled between the mountains and Osoyoos Lake on the Osoyoos Indian Band reserve.

Her art practice, rooted in her family, community and ancestral history, incorporates elements of Syilx storytelling and epistemologies and reflects a connection to the land and waters of the Okanagan, explains Dr. Koosel.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design last spring and was an Artist in Residence and speaker at UBCO’s 2024 Indigenous Art Intensive program, an initiative in collaboration with UBC Okanagan Gallery.

Baptiste’s exhibition q̓ayisxn—Off the Rocks is open for viewing from January 9 to 22 at UBC Okanagan’s FINA Gallery located in the Creative and Critical Studies Building. The gallery is open weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm.

On Friday, January 10 at 4 pm Baptiste will host an artist talk that will be followed by an opening reception for the exhibition. These events are free and open to all. The exhibition was made possible by a grant from the British Columbia Arts Council.

For more information about the UBCO Gallery, visit gallery.ok.ubc.ca.

The post Larger-than-life art installations honour elements of Syilx storytelling appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

UBC Okanagan professor Dr. Kasun Hewage stands in the Engineering, Management and Education Building.

Electric vehicles and smart buildings are realities, but can technology be improved as researchers work to keep BC ahead of the curve in energy efficiency?

A renewed research collaboration between FortisBC and UBC Okanagan seeks to do this and more as a grown-in-the-Okanagan smart-energy success story begins a new chapter.

Five years ago, FortisBC, Mitacs and UBC created the Smart Energy Research Chair position to help optimize provincial energy and reduce BC’s greenhouse gas footprint.

Professor Kasun Hewage, with UBCO’s School of Engineering, was appointed to this role, which has just been renewed for another five years.

The research has focused on four theme areas: building energy performance enhancement, clean technologies for climate change mitigation, BC Energy Step Code implementation and demand side management.

“As a society, we cannot make informed and sustainable energy choices if we don’t understand the environmental, financial and social implications—what we call the complete lifecycle—of each of those choices,” says Dr. Hewage. “Over the past five years, we have made a significant contribution to the smart energy knowledge base, and our researchers are making an impact in municipalities, government and industries across BC, Canada and internationally.”

Dr. Hewage says the renewed funding will allow UBC to continue its independent research to address BC’s growing energy needs and improve the sustainable use of energy sources.

An Associate Director with UBC’s Clean Energy Research Centre, Dr. Hewage takes a holistic approach to investigating smart energy strategies, including cost-effective, sustainable and renewable energy production systems coordinated by cutting-edge technologies.

By evaluating the implications and cost-benefits of a diverse variety of smart energy solutions, Dr. Hewage says UBC researchers can continue to provide policymakers with invaluable data.

“In this next phase, we will be looking at topics such as the practical realities of implementing hydrogen gas and enhancing electric vehicle charging networks with considerations for wider EV use in public transit,” says Dr. Hewage.

“The renewal of this chair means we can continue to grow UBC Okanagan’s expertise in sustainable technologies and work with stakeholders like FortisBC to advance current tools and strategies—and suggest new ones—to improve energy sustainability throughout the province.”

Dr. Hewage is also part of a multidisciplinary network of UBC researchers—the Cluster of Research Excellence in Green Infrastructure—who develop new tools, techniques, policies and best management practices to address municipal infrastructure challenges, including climate resiliency and the environment.

The cluster integrates the expertise of researchers in engineering, economics, geography and the social sciences.

“We’re thrilled FortisBC is continuing to work with UBCO to pursue greener, more efficient energy solutions that will lead to a more sustainable future,” says Dr. Suzie Currie, Associate Vice-President and Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation.

“At UBCO, we’re committed to pursuing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Partnerships such as this that help investigate cleaner energy alternatives are a key part of advancing that work and achieving success.”

In addition to the funding from FortisBC, the renewed appointment will continue to be supported by matching internship funding from Mitacs. This will allow students to engage with FortisBC, whenever necessary, throughout this five-year collaboration.

Training students and providing research opportunities for them is an important aspect of this partnership, explains Danielle Wensink, Director of Conservation and Energy Management for FortisBC.

“With energy efficiency and conservation being key to transitioning to a lower-carbon energy future, we’re pleased to continue our support of UBC Okanagan through the Smart Energy Chair,” Wensink says. “We look forward to seeing more UBCO students become leaders in the field as well as finding opportunities to apply their research in ways that lower energy use, reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions and ensure affordable, resilient energy systems for our customers.”

The post UBC Okanagan partnerships fuel energy efficiency research for BC and beyond appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

Grizzly bears are excellent gardeners, dispersing digested huckleberry seeds near and far, new research from UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver shows.

Grizzly bears are doing more than building fat reserves as they feast on huckleberries each summer in the Canadian Rocky Mountains—they’re playing a vital role in plant ecology.

A study led by researchers from the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, published in PLOS ONE, reveals the ecological importance of bears as long-distance seed dispersers.

“Bears don’t just eat huckleberries—they help them grow in new places,” says lead researcher Aza Fynley Kuijt, from UBC’s Faculty of Forestry.

“Our findings show that this mutual relationship is crucial for both species, especially as climate change shifts suitable habitats for huckleberries.”

The study focuses on how bear digestion enhances huckleberry germination and spreads seeds across vast areas, a process called endozoochory.

Researchers found that seeds consumed and defecated by bears had significantly higher germination rates (up to 28.5 per cent) compared to seeds left inside intact berries (0.2 per cent). The key factor is the removal of germination inhibitors in the berry pulp during digestion.

Using GPS data from 74 collared grizzly bears, the study estimated that bears disperse 50 per cent of consumed seeds at least one kilometre away from their feeding sites, with potential maximum distances of up to seven kilometres.

This movement creates a “seed shadow” covering areas as large as 149 square kilometres, enabling huckleberries to expand into new territories.

The implications are significant. Huckleberries are a key food source for bears, providing essential energy during late summer.

In turn, bears help huckleberries adapt to changing climates by dispersing seeds into new, potentially more suitable habitats. However, human activities such as urban development, resource extraction and increased recreation in bear habitats can affect this critical ecological partnership.

The study underscores the intricate relationship between large mobile mammals and the food they eat. Disrupting the bear-huckleberry relationship could have knock-on effects on both species and the broader ecosystem.

“Wildlife conservation is not just about protecting certain species, but about looking after ecological processes and relationships. As we show here, looking after grizzly bears and movement corridors can also help huckleberries, which people and bears both adore,” adds Clayton Lamb, co-author and UBC Okanagan biologist.

The post Bears and berries: Researchers highlight critical role of grizzlies in huckleberry health appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.