WELCOME TO THE RESTART LAB
Restoring Ecosystems using Successional Theory, Assembly Rules, and novel Trajectories
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario
RESEARCH
Our research is focused on restoration ecology and land reclamation.
We use a wide range of laboratory, greenhouse, and field approaches to answer questions about plant and soil ecology as it relates to restoration, the effects of human disturbance on plants and soil, and how different land management strategies can promote restoration and conservation objectives.
Prairie Restoration
Anthroposols & Mine Reclamation
Species-At-Risk Habitat Restoration
NEWS
June 23, 2025
Members of the RESTART Lab attended and presented at the CLRA/OMA Mine Reclamation Symposium at Guelph University.
Dr Fallon Tanentzap and Daniel Vandeloo presented on their research investigating anthroposols as soil solutions for mine reclamation in the Boreal Shield region.
Left to right: Dr Fallon Tanentzap (Postdoctoral Fellow), Jennifer Fedak (MSc student), Dr Autumn Watkinson (Professor), Daniel Vandeloo (MSc Student).
September 2024
We are recruiting a PhD student to conduct research on meadow restoration with the TRCA. Utilizing plant traits, the PhD candidate will lead research on restoring diverse meadow habitat that is resistant to invasion by non-native plants.
Research will inform turfgrass-to-meadow conversion along The Meadoway, a 16-km hydro corridor linking Rouge Nation Urban Park to the Don Valley.
4-year, PhD in Environmental & Life Sciences at Trent University.
Fully funded at $30,000/yr. Jan 2024 start.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to autumnwatkinson@trentu.ca
September 2023
Meadow restoration research on converting under-utilized hydro corridors to diverse meadow communities has been funded by NSERC Alliance Grant. Research will be completed in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and University of Waterloo Wetland Lab.