Yvonne Martin
Positions
Professor
Contact information
Background
Educational Background
B.A. Geography, University of Western Ontario, 1989
Doctor of Philosophy Geography, University of British Columbia, 1998
M.Sc. Geography, University of British Columbia, 1991
Biography
Welcome to my web page! I am a Full Professor in the Department of Geography, University of Calgary.
I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. I was fortunate to hold an undergraduate NSERC award and be part of a research team that spent 6 weeks at high-elevation glacier research site. I spent one year at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland as an undergraduate student, and it was during this time that I decided to focus my future research work on river systems. During my graduate degrees, I focussed on the topics of river geomorphology for the Vedder River, Chilliwack BC (MSc) and drainage basin evolution in Haida Gwaii, BC (PhD). My MSc was a combination of field-based and computer-based work, while my PhD had a focus on numerical modelling over millennial temporal scales. I also developed a strong interest in the history of physical geography and philosophy of science.
After I arrived at the University of Calgary in 1997 to begin my academic career (Assistant Professor), I continued to work on aspects of drainage basin evolution, and eventually developed a research program that focussed on interactions between geomorphology, ecology and wildfire in the Canadian Rockies. Research locations for my work and my graduate students have included Kananaskis Country, Canadian Rockies and Kootenay National Park, BC. My research interests have become increasingly interdisciplinary in nature throughout my career. Most recently, I have investigated the storage of terrestrial carbon on the landscape, its interactions with landscape morphology, and relationship to geomorphological and geological controls. I continue to be an interdisciplinary scientist, with a particular focus on aspects of the Critical Zone and the complex interactions between geomorphology, soils, hydrology and vegetation.
My teaching portfolio covers aspects of geomorphology, environmental change and interdisciplinary Critical Zone science. I have taught students at all levels, ranging from non-majors first-year course with high enrollment to upper-level specialized courses. I always strive to include strong substance in my course materials, and combine this content with special attention to clear and engaging communication and delivery.
Research
Areas of Research
This research focuses on interactions between the biological sciences and earth sciences. My research program focuses on interactions among geomorphology, soils, hydrology and vegetation. I have been the Supervisor and Co-Supervisor for a number of graduate students undertaking research falling under this theme.
Select Examples for Research Theme:
(Edited Book) Johnson, E., Martin, Y., 2016 (Editors). Ecosystems: A Biogeoscience Approach, Cambridge University Press
Martin, Y., Gurung, D., Johnson, E., 2023. Connections of geomorphological activity, geological history and organic carbon storage in steep, mountainous drainage basins: A field investigation. Annual Meeting, European Geosciences Union, Vienna, Austria.
Ding, J., Johnson, E., Martin, Y., 2020. Optimization of leaf morphology in relation to leaf water status: A theory. Ecology and Evolution, 10, 1510–1525.
Ding, J., Johnson, E. Martin, Y., 2018. Linking soil moisture variation and abundance of plants to geomorphic processes: A generalized model for erosion‐uplifting landscapes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 123, 960–975.
Klassen, P., Martin, Y., Johnson, E.A., 2018. Effects of glacial topography and sedimentology on palaeohydrology, Kananaskis, Canadian Rockies: A numerical modelling exercise. Annual Meeting, European Geoscience General Assembly, Vienna, Austria (Abstract EGU2018-5849)
Martin, Y., Johnson, E., Chaikina, O., 2013. Interplay between field observations and numerical modeling to understand temporal pulsing of tree root throw processes, Canadian Rockies, Canada. Geomorphology, 200, 89–105.
Chase, M., Johnson, E., Martin, Y., 2012. The influence of geomorphic processes on plant distribution and abundance as reflected in plant tolerance curves. Ecological Monographs, 82, 429–447.
Martin, Y., Valeo, C., Tait, M., 2008. Centimeter-scale digital representations of terrain and impacts on depression storage and runoff. Catena, 75, 223–233.
This research focusses on interactions between wildfire, vegetation and aspects of earth science. I was part of a large research group that examined post-wildfire impacts for the large Kootenay Wildfire in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia. I have been the Supervisor and Co-Supervisor for graduate students undertaking research falling under this theme.
Select Examples for Research Theme:
Johnson, E., Martin, Y., Chaikina, O., 2023. Tree root decay in soils following tree death after a crown wildfire, Canadian Rockies: A field investigation. Annual Meeting, European Geosciences Union, Vienna, Austria.
Tsinko, Y., Bakhshaii, A., Johnson, E., Martin, Y., 2018. Comparisons of fire weather indices using Canadian raw and homogenized weather data. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 262, 110–119.
Martin, Y., Gallaway, J., Johnson, E., Chaikina, O., 2011. Negligible soil erosion in a burned mountain watershed: the role of duff. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 36, 2097–2113.
Gallaway, J., Martin, Y., Johnson, E., 2009. Sediment transport due to tree root throw: integrating tree population dynamics, wildfire and geomorphic response. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 34, 1255–1269.
Martin, Y., 2007. Wildfire disturbance and shallow landsliding in coastal British Columbia over millennial time scales: A numerical modelling study. Catena, 69, 206–219.
Examples of my research expertise include sediment movement and storage across landscapes and drainage basin morphology. Research has focussed on mountain environments and has expanded to consider urban and rural landscapes. I have been the Supervisor and Co-Supervisor for a number of graduate students undertaking research falling under this theme.
Select Examples for Research Theme:
Thapa, P., Martin, Y., Johnson, E., 2017. Quantification of controls on regional rockfall activity and talus deposition, Kananaskis, Canadian Rockies. Geomorphology, 299, 107–123.
Martin, Y., Johnson, E.A., Chaikina, O., 2017. Gully recharge rates and debris flows: A combined numerical modeling and field-based investigation, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Geomorphology, 278, 252–268.
Jagielko, L., Martin, Y., Sjogren, D., 2012. Scaling and multivariate analysis of medium to large landslide events: Haida Gwaii. Natural Hazards, 60, 321–344.
Barlow, J., Martin, Y., Franklin, S., 2009. Evaluating debris slide occurrence using digital data: paraglacial activity in Chilliwack Valley, British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 46, 181–191.
I have a strong interest in the historical and philosophical perspectives of research themes in the earth and environmental sciences.
Select Examples for Research Theme:
Martin, Y., 2022. (Invited) Modelling in Geomorphology: The Digital Revolution. In “The History of the Study of Landforms or the Development of Geomorphology: Volume 5: Geomorphology in the Second Half of the Twentieth Century” (editors, T. P. Burt, A. S. Goudie, H. A. Viles) Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 58.
Martin, Y., Johnson, E., 2017. Towards a strategy for Critical Zone science in Canada. Canadian Geographer, 61, 117–123
Martin, Y., Johnson, E., 2012. Biogeosciences survey: Studying interactions of the Biosphere with the Atmosphere, Hydrosphere and Lithosphere. Progress in Physical Geography, 30, 833–852
Martin, Y., Church, M., 2004. Numerical modelling of landscape evolution: Geomorphological perspectives. Progress in Physical Geography, 28, 317–339.
Courses
Course number | Course title | Semester |
---|---|---|
GEOG 204 | Global Environmental Change | |
GEOG 310 | Landforms and Soils | |
GEOG 410 | Process Geomorphology | |
Geog 500 | Critical Zone Science |
More Information
Graduate Student Opportunities: Students who are interested in learning more about graduate research opportunities for my research program should email me at ymartin@ucalgary.ca. I would be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have!
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