Researcher Feature: Noam Harris

Hailing from the rainy coasts of the Pacific Northwest, I completed my Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia, studying biology and ecology. During this time, I developed my love for community ecology and botany. I also became very passionate about science outreach and public speaking — taking any opportunity I could to share my knowledge with others, from working as a nature interpreter at Stanley Park in Vancouver to giving talks and presentations about my research. 

Current Research  

I am part of the Kotanen Lab at the University of Toronto, which studies plant invasions in high latitudes. Invasive plants are species that have colonized areas they are not naturally found in, usually because humans have brought them there or changed the environment in a way that allows new species to invade. In the past, these invasions rarely occur in the arctic, as few alien species are able to survive the harsh northern landscape.  

However, Churchill has experienced a different pattern! Human disturbance has modified conditions so much that over 100 invasive species have been identified in the region. In my research, I’m looking at how non-native plants (such as common dandelion and broadleaf plantain) interact with native ground cover made up of mosses, lichens, and small plants. I hypothesize that this cover could limit invasives from colonizing natural, undisturbed areas, since it acts as a barrier to soil and nutrients.  

I am testing this hypothesis by investigating the following questions:  

  • Are non-native plants more common in areas disturbed by human activity, where vegetation has been removed?  
  • Does native ground cover inhibit the survival and growth of non-native plants? 
  • By removing these ground cover species (mosses, lichens, etc.), does human disturbance provide an opportunity for invasive species to colonize natural areas that were previously uninvadable?  

I’ve set up field experiments in Churchill to try to answer these questions. Last summer, I went all over the area near the CNSC and placed plastic cups in the ground, where I could grow invasive plants in natural conditions. I also put a different type of ground cover in the cups (such as a native moss or lichen), and compared them to “disturbed” control cups, which only had soil in them. Hopefully, this comparison will help us understand how interactions with species native to the arctic may affect plant invasions.  

Summer Spectacle 

In my time at Churchill, I’ve witnessed more than my fair share of incredible natural marvels. From kayaking with belugas to gazing at brilliant auroras to having polar bears — paws still dripping with blood from a recent catch — pass just meters away from our vehicle.  

 Underappreciated, perhaps, are the many small wonders of Churchill’s landscape. One of my very favourite experiences has been familiarizing myself with the incredible diversity of wildflowers, lichens, and mosses that are unique to this northern ecology. Getting up close to identify the tell-tale stairstep shape that differentiates Hylocomium from all other mosses; to demarcate the subtle difference in leaf shape between alpine bearberry and net-leaved willow; to see the downward sloping tips found in one variety of reindeer lichen but not the rest. These are the joys which drew me to Churchill.  

A Typical Day

As this is my second summer in Churchill, I have spent more time up north than most. I’ve had a whirlwind of a time acclimating to this environment but am incredibly grateful for the experiences it has left me with.   

Our work is varied, to say the least, as we have to carefully juggle field work with writing, planning, public outreach, and data analysis. Much of our research is also based on discovery and observing patterns in nature, meaning we never know exactly what we’re going to find and need to be able to act quick on our feet. This puts pressure on all of us to work hard and succeed, but we push through by problem-solving in advance and working together as a team.  

At the CNSC

Through my two summers here, I have become very well-acquainted with the CNSC and its rhythms. I would describe the centre as a real powerhouse of creating structure in our otherwise chaotic and unpredictable lives as scientists. Having meals at regular times, access to recreation and entertainment, and a space to unwind after long days in the field allows us to care for our well-being while we conduct cutting-edge ecological research.  

More than anything, I am overwhelmingly grateful to the many staff members and volunteers who help keep the CNSC such a tight, well-oiled operation. The resources and services provided here are invaluable to our research and are only made possible thanks to the incredible people who help keep the study centre up and running.