Myriam Barbeau

Professor

PhD

Biology

Bailey Hall 219

Fredericton

mbarbeau@unb.ca
1 506 447 3213



Academic interests

  • Coastal Marine Ecology
  • Marine Invertebrates
  • Restoration Ecology

Brief biography

My research interests are in the ecology of coastal marine systems, with particular focus on sedimentary ecosystems, such as salt marshes and tidal flats. Since the start of my research career, I have been interested in understanding the link between individuals (e.g. behaviour), populations (demography), and communities (assembly).

Most recently, I have been interested in evaluating linkages between ecosystems (cross-boundary spatial flows of resources and biota) and elucidating ecological and management implications. I have a fascination for marine invertebrates, but enjoy studying all types of organisms.

My research methods typically involve (i) intensive sampling to observe and quantify patterns, (ii) detailed and rigorous experiments in the laboratory or field to test hypothesized processes underlying observed patterns, and (iii) development of mathematical models to integrate the knowledge that we have accumulated and assess the relative importance of processes on population, community or ecosystem dynamics. I welcome the involvement of students with a keen interest in learning experimental and/or mathematical ecology.

Courses taught

  • BIOL 2063 – Biological Diversity
  • BIOL 3603 – Invertebrate Zoology
  • BIOL 4641 – Coastal Marine Ecology
  • BIOL 5473 – Experimental Design and Data Analysis in Biology & Forestry

Selected research

Endresz KC, EMT Bateman, MA Barbeau (2026) Spatial and temporal patterns of nekton communities in different subhabitats of Maritime Canadian salt marshes. Estuaries and Coasts 49(1):3

Virgin SDS, MA Barbeau (2026) Population structure and range-limit dynamics of the ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) from southern Maine (USA) to northern New Brunswick (Canada). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 336:109904

Beck AD, AR Wilson, MA Barbeau (2024) The common snail Melampus bidentatus occurs throughout the salt marsh in its northern range. Estuaries and Coasts 47(8):2439–2454

Norris GS, TG Gerwing, MA Barbeau & DJ Hamilton (2022) Using successional drivers to understand spatiotemporal dynamics in intertidal mudflat communities. Ecosphere 3:e4268

Norris GS, SDS Virgin, DW Schneider, EM McCoy, JM Wilson, KL Morrill, L Hayter, ME Hicks & MA Barbeau (2022) Patch-level processes of vegetation underlying site-level restoration patterns in a megatidal salt marsh. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 10:1000075

Virgin SDS, AD Beck, LK Boone, AK Dykstra, J Ollerhead, MA Barbeau & NR McLellan (2020) A managed realignment in the upper Bay of Fundy: Community dynamics during salt marsh restoration over 8 years in a megatidal, ice-influenced environment. Ecological Engineering 149:105713

Gharouni, A, MA Barbeau, J Chassé, L Wang & J Watmough (2017) Stochastic dispersal increases the rate of upstream spread: a case study with green crabs on the northwest Atlantic coast. PLOS ONE 12(9): e0185671