Mantises up Sleeves & Phylogenetic Trees: 5 Minutes with a Future Wildlife Biologist
5 MINUTES IN THE FIELD is a recurring segment featuring people making environmental change across Canada in all different fields.
While making small talk as a student, every once in a while you find out that someone you just met is studying something that actually interests you. Reply with say, Wildlife Biology and you’ve got my full attention.
With Canadian students receiving their post-secondary acceptance letters soon, there was no better time to sit down with Wildlife Biology student Lauren Davies to find out exactly what being the coolest scientist in training around is all about and why it matters. Part explanation to an Arts student who thought a phylogenetic tree had leaves (me), part promo for this incredible field. Let’s go.
Q: What exactly is Wildlife Biology & what made you choose to study it?
A: Simply put, Wildlife Biology studies the relationships between plants and animals and how they interact. It requires both an understanding and passion for the natural world as well as the ability to be analytical. For example, I’ve used software like Mesquite to build phylogenetic trees and interpret their evolutionary histories.
I chose Wildlife Biology and Conservation because I’ve always been interested in understanding complex relationships in nature and wanted to apply them to conservation practices. Some of my favourite courses have been Aquatic Environments, Conservation Biology, and Insect Diversity.
“Wildlife Biology students are lucky—your lab is everywhere,” says Davies, pictured here hiking in Whistler, B.C.
Q: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve done in your program?
A: I love any chance to be “in the field” so I’d definitely say being a research assistant for the MacDougall Ecology Lab. I helped research how pest insects impact soybean crops and spent the whole day studying insects. I even came home with a Praying Mantis in my shirt once, which was quite the happy surprise.Another highlight was conducting my own field work at the Guelph Arboretum studying how forest species are impacted by edge effects. It was exciting to have hands-on experience creating my own research.
Davies is especially interested in amphibian conservation and shared this adorable photo of an American Toad taken during field work.
Q: Any advice for prospective Wildlife Bio students?
A: My best advice would be to fully immerse yourself in this program. Wildlife Biology students are lucky—your lab is everywhere. You can conduct experiments in your own backyard.
With so many resources and interesting people to learn from, you’re part of a great community of like-minded people. It’s an important program. You get to participate in impactful conservation work and make change—that’s why I love it the most.
Lauren Davies is in her final year in Wildlife Biology and Conservation at the University of Guelph. She hopes to conduct her own research in aquatic ecosystems one day and participate in national conservation initiatives. For now, you can find her turning over logs in search of salamanders and insects in Muskoka.
