Waterloo Wetland Laboratory

Welcome to the Waterloo Wetland Laboratory

The focus of our lab is on aquatic ecology, restoration ecology, and landscape ecology.  We look at the relationships between plants, invertebrates, and birds with their abiotic environment; both in terms of ecosystem properties and processes. In particular, we focus on the response of these biotic communities and their environmental correlates to human disturbance. 

We are recruiting talented, bright, hard-working, self-motivated students with solid communication skills. If this describes you and you are interested in the type of research questions we address, please look at our Biology Department program requirements and contact Dr. Rooney: rrooney(at)uwaterloo.ca

The Waterloo Wetland Laboratory members acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of ‎ the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes ten kilometres on each side of the Grand River.

News

Invasive Hydrilla has been detected for the first time in Hillman Marsh, in Southern Ontario, by Waterloo Wetland Lab researchers.

Hydrilla, an aquatic plant species, poses a significant risk to wetlands by out-competing native plant species and clogging waterways. To help prevent its spread, we urge everyone to clean, drain and dry equipment after use.

Learn more about Hydrilla from the Essex Region Conservation Authority, and listen to Dr. Rebecca Rooney's interview on CBC Radio for more information.

Research completed by the Waterloo Wetland Lab was recently featured on CBC's Quirks and Quarks podcast. The episode, titled "Managing Canada’s Worst Invasive Plant with Moths," aired on September 14 and explores an innovative approach to controlling the spread of invasive Phragmites australis via biocontrol.

The podcast, which features an interview with Dr. Rooney, as well as graduate student, Claire Schon, and field technician, Ryan Graham, is available online via CBC Radio.

We are excited to announce that Catriona Leven successfully defended her MSc thesis, titled "Wetland hydrology and the impacts of beaver dams in the Upper Columbia River floodplain wetlands" this afternoon! Her hard work offers valuable insights into the role of beaver activity in shaping wetland ecosystems.

Please join us in congratulating Catriona on this incredible achievement!