Museum Funds Wide-Ranging Research

Has anyone seen my Somatochlora brevincincta? Little wonder if you haven't, the aforementioned is a rare species of dragonfly only recently seen here in Nova Scotia. Now Paul-Michael Brunelle has received a Nova Scotia Museum research grant to study the status of Somatochlora brevincincta in Nova Scotia.

It's one of several fascinating research projects earmarked for support by the Museum through its endowment fund. Also approved for funding is a project titled Are Geum peckii and Geum radiatum a Single Species? Marlene Snyder will use molecular genetics to determine whether these two endangered plants are actually one and the same species.

Dr. Alfonso Rojo's study of fish bones found in Nova Scotia archeological sites will not only help identify species of fish, it will also provide a glimpse into the daily lives and dietary habits of people from the past.

Archeologists Laird Niven and Paul Williams have unearthed valuable insights about life in 18th-century Halifax after excavating human remains from beneath the Little Dutch Church.

The extent of changes to Mi'kmaq culture over five generations, is Donna Hurlburt's focus, as she examines off-reserve life for the Glode family of Queens County.

Research into Acadian History at Les Mines will rely on oral history interviews, documentary research and extensive field surveys. Jonathan Fowler hopes to shed light on surviving Acadian sites in the New Minas region, an area undergoing rapid development.

Other research projects funded by the museum include studies of private archeological collections in Pictou County, amphibian populations, two similar species of goldenrod, and uses of wild plants in Nova Scotia.

Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison says grants such as these help sustain Nova Scotia's research and development community.

"Supporting research in Nova Scotia is so important," he said. "The research funded here not only contributes significant information on a variety of subjects, it also encourages people with a thirst for knowledge to further develop their research skills."

Projects received funding ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, and researchers are expected to compile their reports over the winter.

1998 N.S. Museum Research Grant Recipients:

1. 18th-Century Halifax Research Grant Laird Niven and Paul Williams, Halifax The 1998 Little Dutch Church Archeology Project

2. Acadian History Research Grant Jonathan Fowler, Lower Sackville The Minas Environs Project

3. Archeology Research Grant Dr. Alfonso Rojo, Halifax Study of Some of the Most Important Bones of N.S. Fish of Archeological Interest

Jane Sproull Thomson, Pictou County Private Archeological Collections in Pictou County

4. General Museology Research Grant Kerri Oseen, Dalhousie University An Analysis of Recent and Historical Records on Amphibian Populations in Nova Scotia, Canada

5. Mi'kmaq History Research Grant Donna Hurlburt, Kentville A report on the change in Mi'kmaq culture over five generations with the Glode family

6. Rare Species Research Grant Paul-Michael Brunelle, Halifax The Status of the Somatochlora brevincincta in Nova Scotia

7. Systematics and Taxonomy Research Grant Marlene Snyder, Acadia University Are Geum peckii and Geum radiatum a Single Species?

Dr. Liette Vasseur, Saint Mary's University Population Genetic Structure and Systematics of two plant species of Nova Scotia, Euthamia galetorum and Euthamia teniufolia