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Abstract
A fundamental goal in ecology is to understand how organisms operate and organize in ecosystems. Yet, there is much to be gleaned about the underlying drivers of these ecological mechanisms. I used mark-recapture methodology to study a Cambarus bartonii population in Ontario. I examined ecology, demography, dispersal, habitat selection, their underlying drivers and temporal patterns, and their ecological implications for this population. I identified patterns encompassing capture frequency, size classes, length-weight relationships, life history, and population size estimates. I documented considerable crayfish dispersal within a short period of time, uncovered patterns relating dispersal and life-history traits, and habitat selection and its underlying processes, which helps our understanding of how organisms disperse and choose habitats. My research has implications for understanding population dynamics and resource selection in a changing world, given that crayfish are characterized as keystone species, and they are of particular concern as both invasive and endangered species globally.
