Michael Paulauskas

Master of Science

Concordia University

Carly Ziter

michael.paulauskas@mail.mcgill.ca mail_outline

Interests and Expertise

Short description of Project

Human land-use alters soil properties and biodiversity differently depending on the intensity and type of use, often resulting in persistent temporal effects known as legacy effects. Cities are expected to be rich in legacy effects due to their development histories and complex socio-ecological landscapes. However, few urban ecological studies consider the role of history in shaping contemporary patterns. Therefore, we asked: do soil properties and biodiversity of our present-day urban greenspaces differ due to varied historical land-use? Implications are that soils most affected by legacy effects may remain modified longer, which may change the underlying functioning of the ecosystem. Understanding the extent to which past land use influences our current-day soils can help improve a city’s sustainability in relation to urban greenspace construction and management since our land-uses of today will create tomorrow’s legacies.

Short description of internship with partner

I worked as a patroller for Les amis de la montagne at Mount Royal Park. There, I assisted in sensitizing parkgoers to the various conservation threats that Montreal’s busiest park faces and the efforts put in place to protect the environment. This also included monitoring programs for endangered species (plants and otherwise) as well as invasive exotic species.

New position:

Responsibilities: