SCIENCE TEASER

KEEPING PHOSPHORUS OUT OF TROUBLE

Phosphorus is an essential plant food, but when it gets into the water supply, its effects are not pleasant, resulting in an explosion of algae and water weeds. Scientists at the Soils and Crops Research and Development Centre in Sainte-Foy have been studying the migration of phosphorus from cultivated land to the water basins of eastern Canada. Their observations on cultivation practices has led to the recommendations of organic and mineral fertilizer practices and programs.

Contact:
Dr. Regis Simard,
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,
(418) 657-7985 x271

COUNTING TREES WITH FLYING COLOURS

Thanks to new airborne remote sensing technology and computer software, the tedious days of trying to interpret aerial photos of forests and sketching diseased areas from low-flying aircraft may finally be over. Working in collaboration with MacMillan Bloedel Ltd., François Gougeon of the CFS Pacific Forestry Centre in Victoria has developed a cost-effective system that automates the analysis of digital images.

Contact:
François Gougeon,
CFS Pacific Forestry Centre,
Natural Resources Canada,
(250) 363-0798

EARLY BIRDS

The warm summer brought some changes to breeding habits of marine and terrestrial birds at Coats Island in northern Hudson Bay. Environment Canada has been involved in the continuous study of marine bird populations and ecology there since 1984. Ice break-up was a month earlier than usual this year and maximum temperatures were high, bringing out large numbers of mosquitoes. Many Thick-billed Murres, the major study species, deserted their eggs at the hottest periods, when harassment by mosquitoes was most intense. A few birds actually died while incubating, probably from dehydration. On the positive side, the numbers of young Thick-billed Murres recruiting to the colony have increased in the last two years. This was the predicted outcome of a reduction in numbers shot in Newfoundland following the introduction of bag limits in the winter of 1993-94. Several more years of information are required before we are confident that reduced hunting pressure is the principal causative factor.

Contact:
Tony Gaston,
National Wildlife Research Centre,
Environment Canada,
(819) 997-6121

CAN COLOUR PREVENT CANCER?

Red wine, red onions, blueberries and cherries could go from the table to the medicine chest in the wake of studies from the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Summerland. Scientists are looking at the antioxidant properties of anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for the reds, pinks and blues of many of our foods. Anthocyanins are able to bind readily with free radicals, rogue molecules implicated in the development of some cancers.

Contact:
Dr. Joe Mazza,
Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre,
Summerland, B.C.,
(250) 494-6376

CHARTING THE WATERS

For centuries, mariners have used paper charts to make their way through the world's oceans, lakes and rivers. They have been highly useful, but there are limits: in the 60 seconds it might take a navigator travelling at 15 knots to 'fix' his position, he is already 460 metres away from that position. In crowded shipping lanes and narrow, hazardous passages, such a time lag increases the chances of a disastrous accident. The Canadian Hydrographic Service at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is a world leader in developing software that can digitally chart waterways. Electronic charts, in conjunction with global positioning satellites, display ship's position, course and speed in real time on a full colour, high resolution computer screen. Electronic charting has proven to be a valuable tool in commercial navigation in the St. Lawrence between Montreal and Quebec City.

Contact:
Ed Owen,
Fisheries and Oceans,
(613) 990-0210

Departmental Contacts:

Fisheries and Oceans: Ed Owen, (613)990-0210
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Jo-Ann Butler, (613) 759-1754
Natural Resources Canada: Le'Anne Frieday, (613) 992-2398
Environment Canada: Lyne Lepage, (819) 953-2828

The state of the Great Lakes:
October 21 to 23, the third biennial State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference - SOLEC '98 - in Buffalo, New York. Themes are developing a Great Lakes indicators list and identifying biodiversity areas for the lands by the lakes, coastal wetlands and waters. Visit: http://www.cciw.ca/solec/intro.html