Research - Dr. Darren Bardati
Climate Change, Food and Water
My research is driven by the observation that problems related to climate, food, and water typically are ill-defined, involving (i) extremely complex systems with poorly understood interactions between biophysical and socio-economic elements and processes; (ii) numerous stakeholders (interest groups) with different and, at times, conflicting values and concerns; and (iii) natural systems that cross political boundaries, so problem-solving involves multiple jurisdictions with different histories and visions for the future.
Research Project #1) Climate Change: Challenges of Coastal Communities in the Gulf of St- Lawrence
Funded by a $1 million, multi-year (2010-16) SSHRC Community-University Research Alliance grant, this research project brings academics and community partners together in a network where they can share diverse skills, knowledge and experience. This work identifies community vulnerabilities and strengths, develops strategies to improve resilience at the community level, and develops appropriate and flexible tools that can help people make decisions regarding increased coastal erosion, flooding and storm events, land use planning and community development. Website: defisdescommunautescotieres.org
Research Project #2) Food: Small farmers and their role in promoting food resilience
This project explores food security and resilience-building at the household and local community level. To what degree are people engaged in vegetable gardening and animal husbandry for their own food needs? What are people’s perceptions about growing their own food? What role do farmers’ markets have? How important is saving heirloom and open-pollinated seed? How do networks of small farmers and associated information flows promote resilience in the area of food production?
Research Project #3) Water: Watershed groups and complex adaptive systems
This research, having been supported by grants from Quebec’s Fonds de recherché sur la société et la culture, Bishop’s University and the University of Prince Edward Island, involves the application of complex adaptive systems theory to understanding and governing social-ecological systems. It focuses on the role of watershed groups in adaptive governance in the face of increasing environmental stresses on watersheds. Water quality, quantity and timing of flow – both groundwater or surface water - are influenced by various activities that take place on the land. With case studies in Quebec, Prince Edward Island and British Columbia, my research explores how various “actors”, operating in different biophysical contexts and governance regimes, develop and share knowledge about the watershed conditions and attempt to improve them.
Previous research projects have been supported by the ETRC, Senate Research Committee, Government of Canada Eco-Action, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada, University of Prince Edward Island, and the Government of Quebec.
