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Natural regions & subregions of Alberta : a framework for Alberta's parks

Description

Alberta enjoys a wealth of natural features that can be seen in the diversity of our landscapes. They vary from hot, dry badlands to vast, unbroken forests, to alpine tundra and massive ice... More ≫

Description

Alberta enjoys a wealth of natural features that can be seen in the diversity of our landscapes. They vary from hot, dry badlands to vast, unbroken forests, to alpine tundra and massive ice fields. The challenge for Albertans is to continue to designate and secure land that will represent the variety of these landscapes within the province. This report provides an overview of the land classification system that is used to describe our natural landscapes and that also serves as a tool to help measure our progress towards completing a network of protected areas. Land classification for protected areas is based on natural or biogeographic features such as geology, landform, soils and hydrology. Other factors affecting classification include an area’s climate, vegetation and wildlife. The classification system is set up so that larger, more general categories of land are identified and then divided into smaller units on the basis of their natural characteristics.

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Natural regions and subregions of Alberta

Description

This document presents the climatic, physiographic, vegetation, soil, wildlife and land use attributes that characterize each Natural Region and Subregion. It has been organized into four parts,... More ≫

Description

This document presents the climatic, physiographic, vegetation, soil, wildlife and land use attributes that characterize each Natural Region and Subregion. It has been organized into four parts, and presented in a format that is suitable for both technical and non-technical users.

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Alberta landforms : quantitative morphometric descriptions and classification of typical Alberta landforms

Description

This technical bulletin presents quantitative morphological descriptions and landform classifications for typical glaciated landforms in western Canada and documents the methods used to produce... More ≫

Description

This technical bulletin presents quantitative morphological descriptions and landform classifications for typical glaciated landforms in western Canada and documents the methods used to produce the descriptions. This quantitative data provides necessary input for deterministic landscape related models and thus extend the utility of the soil survey databases in Alberta.

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Guidelines for alternative soil handling procedures during pipeline construction

Description

Provides guidelines for the handling of problem soils during pipeline construction that require alternative soil handling procedures, while meeting the main criteria of achieving equivalent land... More ≫

Description

Provides guidelines for the handling of problem soils during pipeline construction that require alternative soil handling procedures, while meeting the main criteria of achieving equivalent land capability as expressed in the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

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Soils of the Gleichen area, 82I-SW

Description

The report presents an overview of the physiography, climate, ecology, general soil patterns, and selected agricultural interpretations for the Gleichen SW map sheet. The accompanying soil map... More ≫

Description

The report presents an overview of the physiography, climate, ecology, general soil patterns, and selected agricultural interpretations for the Gleichen SW map sheet. The accompanying soil map displays patterns of soils at a moderate level of detail. The soils were distinguished by patterns that relate to other landscape features such as landform and slope. Soil and terrain characteristics were interpreted for three agricultural applications: production of spring-seeded small grains, irrigation, and range productivity. The generalized ratings or capability classes are intended as guidelines for land use planners and managers. Agricultural land use, land suitability for production, and land management are briefly discussed.

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Soils of the Gleichen area, 82I-SE

Description

The report presents an overview of the physiography, climate, ecology, general soil patterns, and selected agricultural interpretations for the Gleichen SE map sheet. The accompanying soil map... More ≫

Description

The report presents an overview of the physiography, climate, ecology, general soil patterns, and selected agricultural interpretations for the Gleichen SE map sheet. The accompanying soil map displays patterns of soils at a moderate level of detail. The soils were distinguished by patterns that relate to other landscape features such as landform and slope. Soil and terrain characteristics were interpreted for three agricultural applications: production of spring-seeded small grains, irrigation, and range productivity. The generalized ratings or capability classes are intended as guidelines for land use planners and managers. Agricultural land use, land suitability for production, and land management are briefly discussed.

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Soil survey of the Municipal District of Cardston (M. D. No. 6), Alberta

Description

This soil survey report for the Municipal District of Cardston begins with a general description of the survey area. Part 2 contains the descriptions of the principal soils and their respective... More ≫

Description

This soil survey report for the Municipal District of Cardston begins with a general description of the survey area. Part 2 contains the descriptions of the principal soils and their respective soil map units. In Part 3, the rationale and actual ratings of the map units for dryland agricuhure, grazing productivity and irrigation capability are explained and displayed. Part 4 describes the areal extent of erosion and salinity within the M.D. and and discusses the impacts of erosion, factors influencing soil degradation and possible management techniques. Appendices include: a brief explanatory section on soil formation and classification for the uninitiated user; analytical procedures employed for determining the physical and chemical properties of the soil series; the areas of the individual soil map units; a glossary of terms used in the report and a key to the soil series used on the soil maps.

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Water supplying capacity of Alberta soils

Description

Soils may be rated according to the amount of water they can retain in available form. However, under field conditions there are physical and chemical soil properties which affect the ability of... More ≫

Description

Soils may be rated according to the amount of water they can retain in available form. However, under field conditions there are physical and chemical soil properties which affect the ability of plants to fully utilize all the available water. In Alberta the main factors of concern are dense subsoils that restrict root growth and the presence of salinity which inhibits water uptake. A modification of the available water holding capacity (AWC) that recognizes these limitations has been called the water supplying capacity (WSC). Both the AWC and WSC have been estimated for individual soils in the province.

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Agroecological resource areas of Alberta

Description

The Agroecological Resource Areas of Alberta map was developed to provide a natural resource framework for the description and evaluation of the agricultural industry in Alberta. It should also... More ≫

Description

The Agroecological Resource Areas of Alberta map was developed to provide a natural resource framework for the description and evaluation of the agricultural industry in Alberta. It should also provide a basis for the rationalization, direction and targeting of research, conservation and extension activities at a regional or provincial scale. Broad areas of generally similar agricultural potential and management were separated with an emphasis on natural (ecological) characteristics. The boundaries were based on ecoclimatic zonations, physiographic subdivisions and general soil characteristics.

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Description of agricultural production in Alberta using an integrated land resource/land use database (CRITICALE-ALBERTA-1981)

Description

Reports on the construction of a database to assist the description of spatial variation in land use and productivity within a biophysical landscape framework. The structure of the database is... More ≫

Description

Reports on the construction of a database to assist the description of spatial variation in land use and productivity within a biophysical landscape framework. The structure of the database is flexible and can incorporate many data sources, promoting the development of an integrated base for the assessment of many agricultural resource policy issues at a regional scale.

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