Eligible to Supervise
Biology Graduate Program
Email
Research Focus
My long term research examines the ecology and evolution of migratory birds. My current research explores interactions between migration strategies and life history traits in arctic-nesting birds. Much of this research involves quantifying the costs and benefits of migration by estimating adult survival, reproductive success, and ecological conditions for birds breeding at various latitudes. I am also investigating how potential reproductive benefits of migration may be threatened by climate change by combining an ecosystem approach with physiological investigations to study the growth and survival of offspring in a changing arctic climate. This research will provide valuable insight into the potential effects of climate change on arctic-nesting birds.
Representative Publications
McKinnon, L., Berteaux, D., and J. Bêty. 2014. Predator-mediated interactions between lemmings and shorebirds: a test of the alternative prey hypothesis. The Auk: Ornithological Advances 131 (4):619-628.
McKinnon, L., Nol, E. and C. Juillet. 2013. Arctic-nesting birds may find physiological relief in the face of trophic constraints. Nature Scientific Reports 3(1816).
McKinnon, L., Berteaux, D., Gauthier, G. and J. Bêty. 2013. Predator-mediated interactions between preferred, alternative and incidental prey. Oikos 122(7): 1042-1048.
McKinnon, L., Picotin, M., Bolduc, E., Juillet, C. and J. Bêty. 2012. Timing of breeding, peak food availability and effects of mismatch on chick growth in High-Arctic-nesting birds. Canadian Journal of Zoology 90:961-971.
McKinnon, L., Smith, P.A., Nol, E., Martin, J-L., Doyle, F., Abraham, K.F., Gilchrist, H.G., Morrison, R.I.G. and J. Bêty. 2010. Suitability of artificial nests. Science 328 (5974):46-47.
McKinnon, L., Smith, P.A., Nol, E., Martin, J-L., Doyle, F., Abraham, K.F., Gilchrist, H.G., Morrison, R.I.G. and J. Bêty. 2010. Lower predation risk for migratory birds at high latitudes. Science 327: 326-327.
Sub-Disciplines
Animal behavior, community ecology, climate change