University of Manitoba - Centre for Earth Observation Science - Aurélie Noel
Aurélie Noel

M.Sc. Student

CEOS and DFO

Supervisor: Dr. Lisa Loseto

M.Sc. (Advanced) University de Liège (Belgium): Natural Hazards Management
M.Sc. University de Liège (Belgium): Geography, specialised in GIS and remote sensing

Research Interests:

Environmental management and conservation policies in the Canadian Arctic.
My master’s thesis focus on beluga habitat in the Eastern Beaufort Sea.
For centuries, qilalukkat in Inuvialuktun (Delphinapterus leucas or belugas) have been an important resource as an essential country food and upholding a cultural link to the traditions for the Indigenous communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR). The Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga whale population forms large summering clusters inshore the Mackenzie Estuary and the Tarium Niryutait marine protected area (TN MPA) of the ISR. This region is under increasing physical stress due to climate change, and the resulting impact on summer beluga habitat and habitat use is unknown.
This project aims to address Inuvialuit concerns and research priorities about beluga, notably in co-producing a better understanding of how belugas currently interact with their inshore summer environment with respect to key environmental features in the Mackenzie Estuary (and TN MPA) during the summer to better predict how belugas will respond to rapid environmental/climatic changes.
A variety of methods will be used notably qualitative inquiry and quantitative approach such as remote sensing and habitat modeling. Ultimately, the habitat model will be co-interpreted with hunters in the ISR to develop a holistic understanding of its results. The outcomes will help to inform conservation and management strategies.

Contact Information:

467 Wallace Building
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB
R3T 2N2
Email: noela@myumanitoba.ca