Mark Boyce

Mark Boyce is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Science. His research focuses on ecological modeling for conservation, including population viability analysis, predator-prey dynamics, and carbon sequestration in grasslands. His work addresses wildlife management challenges, such as habitat selection, abundance estimation, and human impacts on species like bighorn sheep, cougars, and sitatunga antelope. He leads the Boyce Lab, collaborating with government agencies, NGOs, and Indigenous communities on projects across Alberta, British Columbia, Uganda, and North Dakota. His research integrates GPS telemetry, camera trapping, and genetic analysis to inform conservation strategies.

Key research areas include:

• Habitat selection and abundance of large mammals
• Cougar population ecology and prey specialization
• Effects of hunting and wildlife harvesting on genetics and demographics
• Carbon sequestration in grasslands and grazing practices
• Ecology of coastal wolves in British Columbia

Boyce has advised numerous students and postdocs, including Grace Enns (Stone’s sheep lambing habitats) and Camille Warbington (sitatunga ecology in Uganda). He holds the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC). His lab’s collaborations span institutions like the Society for Conservation Biology and Alberta Environment & Parks, supporting applied ecological research.

Notable achievements include developing harvest policies for elk and deer populations, modeling predator-prey interactions, and advancing understanding of ungulate movement and disease transmission risks.