Environment professor renewed as Canada Research Chair
Estimated reading time: 1:30 | Photo credits: Alexandra Leadbetter and Meg Schmidt
The Government of Canada announced the recipients of one of the country’s highest academic honours — the new Canada Research Chairs. We are pleased to share that Dr. Maria Strack was renewed for her work in wetland climate solutions and advances to become a Tier 1 researcher.
Maria Strack
CRC in Wetland Climate Solutions
Tier 1 NSERC
$1,400,000
Wetland ecosystems store a globally significant amount of carbon in their soils and sediment, and they exchange greenhouse gases (GHGs) with the atmosphere, including methane. Actions that protect this stored carbon or restore degraded wetlands can result in GHG emission reductions, contributing to climate action strategies. Canada is home to 20 per cent of the world’s wetlands, creating an opportunity for effective stewardship of this critical carbon stock. As the Canada Research Chair in Wetland Climate Solutions, Dr. Strack seeks to quantify the potential GHG emissions reductions from improved wetland management.
Building on her multisectoral research network, Dr. Strack and her team will improve estimates of GHG emissions arising from agricultural and industrial impact to wetlands to determine potential emission reductions from avoiding future wetland disturbance. Her team will also assess best management practices to reduce GHG emissions during wetland disturbance and quantify the benefits of wetland restoration. Results will create the knowledge and tools needed for climate-friendly wetland management.
Dr. Strack is among eight current chairholders in the Faculty of Environment. Listed in alphabetical order by last name, they are:
- Sarah Burch - Sustainability Governance and Innovation
- Jennifer Clapp - Global Food Security and Sustainability
- Brian Doucet - Urban Change and Social Inclusion
- Christine Dow - Glacier Hydrology and Ice Dynamics
- Kelsey Leonard - Indigenous Waters, Climate and Sustainability
- Chantel Markle - Wildlife Ecohydrology and Global Change
- Juan Moreno-Cruz - Energy Transitions
- Michelle Rutty - Tourism, Environment, and Sustainability
The Canada Research Chairs program stands at the centre of the Government of Canada's national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development. It aims to attract and retain a diverse cadre of world-class researchers, to reinforce academic research and training excellence in Canadian postsecondary institutions.
