Renée Hetherington

DepartmentOrganizationEmailPhoneAddressSidney , British Columbia V8L 4B2Canada

Science Specialties

paleogeography, marine invertebrates, geoarchaeology

Current Research

Research the application of malacology to a glaciated late-Pleistocene, early-Holocene paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Queen Charlotte Island, BC region. Interdisciplinary nature of this research facilitates the integration of geographical, marine geological, biological, and archaeological data and utilizes a geographic information system (GIS-ArcInfo) to spatially correlate marine data sampled throughout the region. Fossil molluscs are sampled from marine cores, underwater grab samples and raised beach sites. These data are then analyzed and compared to modern intertidal molluscan distribution and habitat characteristics and used in conjunction with geologic and geomorphologic evidence to reconstruct paleosea levels and paleoenvironments at sampled localities through time. In addition, because intertidal edible molluscs are an accessible, highly nutritious food source, biomass calculations and paleoenvironmental intertpretations are then used to assess the region's ability to sustain an early coastal migrating human population.