Dr. David A. Galbraith |
|
Royal Botanical Gardens Science Head of ScienceAppointed: 2006 University of Guelph College of Biological Science Integrative Biology Adjunct ProfessorAppointed: 2004 Trent University Biology Biology Watershed Ecosystems Graduate Program Conjoint ProfessorAppointed: 2001 McGill University Redpath Museum Adjunct ProfessorAppointed: 1996 McMaster University Science Biology Adjunct Associate ProfessorAppointed: 1996 |  |
Mailing AddressRoyal Botanical Gardens P.O. Box 399 Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3H8Canada | Contact InformationPhone: (905) 527-1158, ext. 309 Fax: (905) 577-0375 dr_d_a_galbraith@hotmail.com http://www.rbg.ca/cbcn/en |
Qualifications
Ph.D., Queen's University at Kingston, Wildlife Biology, 1991.
M.Sc., University of Guelph, Wildlife Biology, 1986.
B.Sc., University of Guelph, Biological Sciences, 1982.
Expertise and Research Interests
I am interested in the ecology, conservation biology and population biology of reptiles and plants, which have some important practical and theoretical similarities. Both plants and reptiles are relatively sedentary compared to mammals, birds, and even many insects, and both groups contain some members, which are very long-lived. Both reptiles and plants have been systematically under represented in public perception of conservation priorities. Plants are often viewed either as a source of raw materials or as habitat for more interesting animals. Reptiles have suffered at best from benign ignorance and at worst from terror and fear, especially of snakes.
Both reptiles and plants offer opportunities to study the structuring of population genetic information at varying scales, especially as it relates to conservation issues. Development of genetic models of populations which have been drastically reduced in effective size (genetic 'bottlenecks') are now better understood than situations where species areintrinsically rare, or where numbers have declined over considerable intervals.
I am also interested in the development of organizations with conservation objectives, and their utilization of scientific information and concepts. Biologists who become concerned about conservation quickly reach the conclusion that societal constraints, rather than limits of biological knowledge, most affect our potential for effective conservation results. Catalyzing social change while remaining true to the spirit of objective science is therefore a considerable challenge. I have also recently become active in studying the ethics of environmental valuation and biodiversity issues.
Both reptiles and plants offer opportunities to study the structuring of population genetic information at varying scales, especially as it relates to conservation issues. Development of genetic models of populations which have been drastically reduced in effective size (genetic 'bottlenecks') are now better understood than situations where species areintrinsically rare, or where numbers have declined over considerable intervals.
I am also interested in the development of organizations with conservation objectives, and their utilization of scientific information and concepts. Biologists who become concerned about conservation quickly reach the conclusion that societal constraints, rather than limits of biological knowledge, most affect our potential for effective conservation results. Catalyzing social change while remaining true to the spirit of objective science is therefore a considerable challenge. I have also recently become active in studying the ethics of environmental valuation and biodiversity issues.
Other Expertise
I have extensive experience in computer science and statistics, and am involved in such projects as the development of academic and institutional Web sites. I am an avid photographer and writer.
Future Research
I am working with several universities and non-university researchers on the population genetics of rare plants in Canada, including 'landscape genetics,' the use of GIS and GIP to place genetic diversity information into a spacial framework. I also hope to return to some aspects of environmental sex determination and ecology of turtle populations.
Industrial Relevance
The use of genetic resources is the foundation upon which the 'biotech century' is being built. Without a thorough understanding of the basis of biodiversity those resources cannot be either conserved or used sustainably. My work with the institutional relevance of the Convention on Biological Diversity has highlighted the need for researchers and organizations to understand the meaning of this critical international treaty and the ways it can support the goals of conservation and sustainable use.
Keywords
COS Keywords:
Biodiversity, Botany, Conservation Biology, Demography, Ecology, Genetics, Herpetology, Zoology.Additional Terms:
Biodiversity, Botany, Conservation Biology, Conservation Genetics, Demography, Herpetology, Landscape Genetics.Languages
(Reading, Writing, Speaking)
English: (Fluent, Fluent, Fluent)
French: (Basic, None, None)
Memberships
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Society for Conservation Biology
Honors and Awards
2002-2002,
Professional Citation Award,
American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta,
Conservation and Biodiversity Education, Research, and Public Understanding
1991-1993,
Angus Bellairs Fellow in Herpetology,
University of Kent (Canterbury, UK),
Zoology
1991-1993,
NSERC Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship,
Natural Sciences and Research Council of Canada,
University of Kent (Canterbury, UK),
Conservation Genetics
Previous Positions
2001-2004, Manager of Biodiversity Projects,
Royal Botanical Gardens,
Science
1995-2001, Coordinator,
Royal Botanical Gardens,
Science,
Canadian Botanical Conservation Network
1993-1995, Curator,
Centre for Endangered Reptiles
1993-1995, Executive Director,
Centre for Endangered Reptiles
1991-1993, NSERC Postdoctoral Research Fellow,
University of Kent,
Science,
Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology
Funding Received
- W. Garfield Weston Foundation: Development of Plant Conservation Progams at Canadian Botanical Gardens, $80,000 (CAN), 2002 to 2003.
- Endangered Species Recovery Fund (Canada): Ecological Genetics of Wood Poppies (Stylophorum diphyllum), $12,000 (CAN), 2002 to 2003.
- Loblaws Group of Companies: RBG Seed Gene Bank Pilot Project, $20,000 (CAN), 2002 to 2003.
- Endangered Species Recovery Fund (Canada): Ecological Genetics of Wood Poppies (Stylophorum diphyllum), $10,000 (CAN), 2001 to 2001.
- W. Garfield Weston Foundation: Seed Gene Bank Pilot Project at Royal Botanical Gardens, $80,000 (CAN), 2000 to 2001.
- Loblaws Group of Companies (Canada): Seed Gene Bank for Rare Plants of Canada, $20,000 (CAN), 2000 to 2001.
- W. Garfield Weston Foundation: Development of Seed Gene Bank Project at Royal Botanical Gardens, $70,000 (CAN), 1998 to 2000.
- Care for the Wild: Conservation Genetics, $5,000 (US), 1991 to 1993.
- American Museum of Natural History: Paternity Analysis in Turtle Populations, $4,000 (US), 1988 to 1990.
Publications
- Galbraith, D. A., Royal Botanical Gardens (Hamilton, Canada), Encyclopedia of Gardens: History and Design, 2001
- Galbraith, D. A., Demographics, Encyclopedia of the World's Zoos, 2001
- Galbraith, D. A., Arboreal courtship behavior by Eastern Garter Snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis, in September in Bruce County, Ontario, Canadian Field-Naturalist, 115, 2001
- Galbraith, D. A., Turtle and Tortoise, Encyclopedia of the World's Zoos. Fitzroy and Dearborn, Publishers, 2001
- Galbraith, D. A., Population Management: Metapopulations, Encyclopedia of the World's Zoos, 2001
- Galbraith, D. A., The Convention on Biological Diversity: articles pertinent to botanic gardens, Proceedings, Fifth International Botanic Gardens Conservation Congress. Cape Town, South Africa, 1998, 1999
- Galbraith, D. A. (Ed.), Partnerships for Plants: Conservation, Biodiversity and Botanical Gardens in Canada. Proceedings of the First Workshop of the Canadian Botanical Conservation Network, September 6-8, 1998, Technical Report, Botanical Conservation Office, Royal Botanical Gardens. Hamilton, Ontario, 1998
- Galbraith, D. A., Biodiversity ethics: a challenge to botanical gardens for the next Millennium, The Public Garden: the Journal of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, 13(3), 16-19, 1998
- Galbraith, D. A., The role of molecular genetics in the conservation of amphibians, Herpetological Conservation, 1, 282-296, 1997
- Galbraith, D. A., Brooks, R. J. and Brown, G. P., (Ed). Van Abbema, Can management intervention achieve sustainable exploitation of turtles?, J. Proceedings: Conservation, restoration, and management of tortoises and turtles: an international conference (1993)., 186-194, 1997
- Galbraith, D. A., White, B. N., Brooks, R. J., Kaufmann, J. H., and Boag, P. T., DNA fingerprinting of turtles, Journal of Herpetology, 29, 285-291, 1995
- Galbraith, D. A., Multiple paternity and sperm storage in turtles, The Herpetological Journal, 3, 117-124, 1993
- Galbraith, D. A., White, B. N., Brooks, R. J., and Boag, P. T., Multiple paternity in clutches of snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) detected using DNA fingerprints, Canadian Journal of Zoology, 71, 318-324, 1993
- Galbraith DA, Boag PT, Gibbs HL, White BN, Sizing bands on autoradiograms: a study of precision for scoring DNA fingerprints, Electrophoresis, 12(2-3), 210-20, 1991
- Brooks, R. J., Bobyn, M. L., Galbraith, D. A., Layfield, J. A., and Nancekivell, E. G., Maternal and environmental influences on growth and survival of embryonic and hatchling snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), Canadian Journal of Zoology, 69, 2667-2676, 1991
- Brooks, R. J., Brown, G. P., and Galbraith, D. A., Effects of a sudden increase in natural mortality of adults on a population of the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Canadian Journal of Zoology, 69, 1314-1320, 1991
- Galbraith, D. A., Boag, P. T., Gibbs, H. L., and White, B. N., Sizing bands on autoradiograms: a study of precision for scoring DNA fingerprints, Electrophoresis, 12, 210-220, 1991
- Brooks, R. J., Galbraith, D. A., and Layfield, J. A., Occurrence of Placobdella parasitica (Hirudinea) on snapping turtles, Chelydra serpentina, in southeastern Ontario, Journal of Parasitology, 76, 190-195, 1990
- Lavigne, D. M., Brooks, R. J., Rosen, D. A., and Galbraith, D. A., Animal adaptation to cold, Advances in Comparative and Environmental Physiology, 4, 403-432, 1989
- Galbraith, D. A., and Brooks, R. J., Age estimates for snapping turtles, Journal of Wildlife Management, 52, 502-508, 1989
- Galbraith, D. A., Brooks, R. J., and Obbard, M. E., The influence of growth on age and body size at maturity in female snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), Copeia, 1989, 896-904, 1989
- Galbraith, D. A., Graesser, C. J., and Brooks, R. J., Egg retention by a common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in north-central Ontario, Canadian Field-Naturalist, 102, 734, 1988
- Layfield, J. A., Galbraith, D. A., and Brooks, R. J., A simple method to mark hatchling turtles, Herpetological Review, 19(4), 78-79, 1988
- Galbraith, D. A., Bishop, C. A., Brooks, R. J., Simser, W. L., and Lampman, K., Factors affecting density of populations of common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina serpentina), Canadian Journal of Zoology, 66, 1233-1240, 1988
- Galbraith, D. A., and Brooks, R. J., Addition of annual growth lines in adult snapping turtles Chelydra serpentina, Journal of Herpetology, 21, 359-363, 1988
- Galbraith, D. A., Chandler, M., and Brooks, R. J., The fine structure of home ranges of male Chelydra serpentina: are snapping turtles territorial?, Canadian Journal of Zoology, 65, 2623-2629, 1988
- Brooks, R. J., Galbraith, D. A., Nancekivell, E. G., and Bishop, C. A., R. C. Szaro, K. E. Severson, and D. R. Patton, Developing management guidelines for snapping turtles, (Technical coordinators): Management of Amphibians, Reptiles, and Small Mammals in North America. Proceedings of the Symposium. USDA Forest Service. General Technical Report RM -166., 174-179, 1988
- Galbraith, D. A., and Brooks, R. J., Photographs and dental casts as permanent records for age estimates and growth studies of turtles, Herpetological Review, 18, 69-71, 1987
- Galbraith, D. A., and Brooks, R. J., Survivorship of adult females in a northern population of snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), Canadian Journal of Zoology, 65, 1581-1586, 1987
- Galbraith, D. A., Mills, A. M., and Brooks, R. J., A critical review of 'Speciation or irruption: the significance of the Darwin finches', the results of classroom use, Journal of Biological Education, 18, 72-76, 1984
- Galbraith, D. A., and Brooks, R. J., A tagging technique for use in hatchling turtles, Herpetological Review, 15, 73-75, 1984
- Galbraith, D. A., and Brooks, R. J., A simple restraining device for large turtles, Herpetological Review, 14, 115, 1983
Profile Details
Last Updated: 2/11/2009
COS Expertise ID #313030
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/proteus
Individual Expertise profile of David A. Galbraith, Copyright David A. Galbraith.
© COS ExpertiseTM, 2009, ProQuest LLC All rights reserved.