Cameron Bell
MSc. Student
Contact Information
Department of Biology
Concordia University (Loyola Campus)
7141 Sherbrooke St. W. H4B 1R6
Montreal, QC, Canada
Office: SP 434
Lab: SP434
(514) 848-2424 (ext. 4021)
cameron.glenn.bell@gmail.com
Education
2025 – Present: MSc in Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
2017-2023: BSc in Biology (Specialization in Ecology), Concordia University, Quebec, Canada
My Project
Factors affecting the nesting success of sea turtles in southern Cameroon
Background
Juvenile survival is the most critical component of large herbivores’ population dynamics. Thus, large herbivorous mammals are expected to maximize their population growth rates by optimizing their reproductive success through juvenile survival. Survival of calves is maximized when calving date and synchrony are well-adapted to the species’ environment. For instance, a short growing season for vegetation will promote a highly synchronized birth season to ensure that calves are born in most favorable conditions to grow and survive. To maintain this highly synchronous birth season, conceptions must also occur synchronously in time during the rutting season. Unfortunately, in a context of climate change, a ‘trophic mismatch’ may occur because climatic changes are faster than phenology changes of species, creating a situation where the peak demand for resources may now falls later or earlier than the seasonal peak of resource availability.
Rangifer species is that thrive in a harsh and highly seasonal environment. However, reindeer have not received enough attention in regard to the global change debate. The aim of this study is thus to investigate if and how the reindeers’ reproductive phenology is evolving in the context of climatic change, e.g. by changing birthdates or onset of the rut period to adequately fit resources availability. I will first investigate effects of density and weather on the onset and synchrony of the rutting period. Then, I will focus on changes of the date and synchrony of the calving season in relation to both local and global climatic variables. Finally, the future reindeer’s productivity will be investigated in regard to climate change.
The Manyange na Elombo – Campo Marine National Park was established in 2021 as one of the first marine protected areas in Cameroon. The park is situated in one of the most important sea turtle rookeries on the planet. The region is home to four species of sea turtle at various life stages. Notably, both leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles nest on the beaches around Ebodjé. These populations are facing increasing pressure from environmental factors as a result of climate change as well as human presence. Despite the establishment of a marine park in the area, significant conservation efforts are still required to ensure the protection of these species. As sea turtles exhibit high fidelity to their nesting sites, meaning they will almost always return to the same beach where they hatched, understanding how biotic and abiotic factors alter their reproductive success is critical to the conservation of the species.
Field Work
The study will take place during the 2025-2026 nesting season at beaches near Ebodjé on the southern coast of Cameroon. Beach surveys will take place in collaboration with a local conservation group — Tube Awu — that has been active in the region since 2015. By recording data about the turtles, the nests, and their environment, we will be able to determine which factors impact the hatching and emergence success of the population, and in turn inform management decisions for these species.
Objectives
The main goals of this project are to:
- Investigate the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on hatching/emergence success
- Characterize nesting conditions of sea turtles
- Collect data on nesting female turtles in the region