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Soil Groups

Description

This map displays the distribution of the main soil types found within the province of Alberta. The distribution pattern of soils in Alberta is strongly linked to climate and parent materials.... More ≫

Description

This map displays the distribution of the main soil types found within the province of Alberta. The distribution pattern of soils in Alberta is strongly linked to climate and parent materials. Climate affects the location of different soil groups. The driest area in southeastern Alberta is represented by the presence of Brown Chernozems. As one proceeds north and west, the soils and associated vegetation reflect the increase in available moisture.In Alberta, Organic soils generally occur in association with Luvisolic soils. These soils form under wet conditions where the organic layer (greater than 30% organic matter) accumulates faster than it decomposes. The organic layer varies in thickness from 40 to 160+ cm, and under natural conditions, the water table is at or near the surface. In some areas of the province, Organic soils may be artificially drained and used for agricultural production. This resource was created in 2002 using ArcGIS.

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Fertilizer Expense Index 2001

Description

The data represents the relative expense of fertilizer and lime in the agricultural area of Alberta. It is an estimate of the degree to which agriculture may affect nutrient levels in surface and... More ≫

Description

The data represents the relative expense of fertilizer and lime in the agricultural area of Alberta. It is an estimate of the degree to which agriculture may affect nutrient levels in surface and groundwater. The classes shown on the map are ranked between 0 (lowest) and 1 (highest).Mapping the relative values of fertilizer expenses by SLC polygon area is useful as an indication of where more fertilizer is applied in the province and as a proxy indicator for crop production.It also suggests the relative agricultural intensity in various parts of the province. This resource was created in 2002 using ArcGIS.

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Annual Total Precipitation 1971-2000

Description

The data represents the annual total precipitation in Alberta over the 30-year period from 1971 to 2000. A 30-year period is used to describe the present climate since it is enough time to filter... More ≫

Description

The data represents the annual total precipitation in Alberta over the 30-year period from 1971 to 2000. A 30-year period is used to describe the present climate since it is enough time to filter our short-term fluctuations but is not dominated by any long-term trend in the climate. Annual total precipitation refers to rain, snow and other forms of moisture such as hail. Annual precipitation is greatest in the mountains and decreases at lower elevations. In the agricultural areas of the province, 50 to60 percent of annual precipitation generally occurs during the growing season, mostly as rain.Precipitation in any month can be extremely variable with the variability of precipitation being greater in southern Alberta than in the Peace River Region and central Alberta. However, long-term (30-year) data provides a reliable indication of what to expect in any given location. Climate information is used as a long-term planning tool, in selecting a location for a farm or planning a...

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Chemical Expense Index 2001

Description

The data represents the relative expense of farm chemicals (herbicides, insecticides and fungicides) in the agricultural area of Alberta. It is an estimate of the degree to which crop production... More ≫

Description

The data represents the relative expense of farm chemicals (herbicides, insecticides and fungicides) in the agricultural area of Alberta. It is an estimate of the degree to which crop production agriculture may contribute to surface or groundwater contamination.Agriculture production that makes greater use of herbicides, insecticides and pesticides in generally considered more intensive. Presenting the relative farm chemical expenses by SLC polygons reveals where the most intensive agricultural production in the province occurs. Chemical use is part of an equation to determine a measure of surface water quality risk. If an area is known to have certain risk factors that would affect not only surface, but groundwater quality as well, a higher chemical expense index ranking in that same area may be of concern. Where risks of surface or groundwater contamination exist, environmental farm planning can help to minimize them.

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Areal Extent of Wetlands

Description

The data represents the density of wetland habitat in the agricultural region of Alberta in 2002. Wetlands are depressional areas that are wet for a long enough period that the plant and animals... More ≫

Description

The data represents the density of wetland habitat in the agricultural region of Alberta in 2002. Wetlands are depressional areas that are wet for a long enough period that the plant and animals living in them are adapted to, and often dependent on, living in wet conditions for at least part of their life cycle. In drier areas of the province, wetlands tend to be more intermittent, while in wetter areas, wetlands tend to be more persistent. Topography also affects the occurrence of wetlands. Hummocky landscapes allow for pooling of water in depressions, while landscapes with longer slopes (e.g. the foothills) generally have better defined surface drainage patterns. A wetland in influenced by the interaction between the wet area, the wetland margin and upland area.Wetlands provide important habitat for waterfowl and many other types of wildlife. Wetlands reduce the impact of flooding, provide erosion control, purify water by removing sediment and nutrients, and contribute to...

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GOA Alberta Regeneration Information System Opening Numbers

Description

The Alberta Regeneration Information System (ARIS) requires a unique identifier assigned to a cutblock to enable tracking within ARIS. This number is generated from a point roughly derived from... More ≫

Description

The Alberta Regeneration Information System (ARIS) requires a unique identifier assigned to a cutblock to enable tracking within ARIS. This number is generated from a point roughly derived from the centre of the cutblock. The number is a concatenation of the point's legal description plus a grid cell number. The format is MRRTTTSSGG where M - Meridian, RR - Range, TTT - Township, SS - Section, GG - grid cell. The MRRTTSS information is derived with reference to the Alberta Township System. The grid cell is derived from a 10 by 10 grid that is overlaid on the section that the centre of the cutblock is contained in. Grid cells are numbered between 00 - 99 with the grid origin at the bottom left corner of the section and anchored to the centre of grid cell 00. The first digit represents the grid column and the second digit is the grid row of the 10 by 10 matrix. Note that in some cases a letter may be appended to the end of the opening number where an opening number had to be split...

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Alberta Approved Farmers' Markets

Description

Information about the Alberta Approved Farmers' Market Program

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