Julianna Petrenko (Biology) – Urban Ecology

Julianna talks about how we are losing biodiversity at an alarming rate, largely because of human-caused habitat degradation and loss. Yet, some species are persisting or even increasing for reasons that are often unclear. Some species might persist because of their ability to tolerate life in cities – one of the most dramatically human-modified habitats.  Surprisingly, city birds were no more likely to have stable populations than birds that avoid cities, illustrating that urban tolerance does not protect against population declines. For upcoming interviews check out the Grad Chat webpage on Queen’s University School of Graduate Studies & Postdoctoral Affairs website.