Dr. Ransom A. Myers (RAM) holds the Killam Chair of Ocean Studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dr. Myers received his B.Sc. in
Physics from Rice University, and his M.Sc. in Mathematics and Ph.D. in
Biology from Dalhousie University. He has published over 100
refereed scientific publications in diverse fields of aquatic ecology.
Dr. Myers' current, major research is on extinction in the ocean. In recent papers published in Nature and Science, he has shown dramatic declines in the populations of large, predatory fish since the start of industrial fishing in the 1950s. Much of Dr. Myers' work involves the meta-analysis of data
from many populations. By treating each population as a realization
of a natural experiment, it is possible to discover patterns in
nature that have not been seen before because they are lost in the noise
of individual populations. This work is exciting
because it is possible to arrive at solutions
to both theoretical and applied problems in population biology and resource management.
In order to carry out the meta-analysis, Dr. Myers has compiled much of the
population dynamics data on fish in the world. This is data on over
800 time series, and provides the empirical basis for his theoretical
analysis.
Dr. Myers has carried out fundamental work on the causes of the collapse of
fish stocks, in particular, the cod stocks in Eastern Canada.
Dr. Myers is also actively involved in developing methods for the optimal
management of exploited populations. Recently, this work has
turned to models of extinction, which is a growing concern in the
marine environment. He is currently working on models for the
extinction of salmonid species, elasmobranchs, and marine turtles.
Dr. Myers has served on the Board of Directors of The International
Oceans Institute of Canada, Ocean Institute of Canada, and the Resource
Modeling Association. Dr. Myers research has been supported by a wide
variety of government, industry, conservation, and private foundations.
These include Killam Foundation, National Science and Engineering
Research Council, Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Great Lakes
Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Canadian Dept. of Fisheries and
Oceans, Environment Canada, Nova Scotia Power, Inc, Conservation
Council of New Brunswick, World Wildlife Fund, and Canada Trust-Friends
of the Environment Foundation. |
