All Resources

Forest health in Alberta : annual report

Description

Report contains details of forest pest surveys and pest management programs carried out by the Government of Alberta.

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Guide to common northern rangeland plant communities and their management

Description

Native rangelands (forests, shrub lands and meadows) in northern Alberta are important sources of forage for livestock. When properly managed, they can provide ongoing grazing, wildlife habitat,... More ≫

Description

Native rangelands (forests, shrub lands and meadows) in northern Alberta are important sources of forage for livestock. When properly managed, they can provide ongoing grazing, wildlife habitat, harvestable timber, recreational areas and healthy watersheds. This book describes some of the common northern rangeland plant communities and can be used to: identify the native plant communities on your rangeland; estimate how each community can be grazed; and recognize when a community is overgrazed. This guide can be used in combination with Northern Range Plants and the Rangeland Health Assessment for Grassland, Forest and Tame Pasture Field Workbook.

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Range management factsheet for northern Alberta's boreal region : indicators of forest rangeland health

Description

Rangeland health refers to the ability of a plant community to perform vital ecological functions. Healthy rangelands have a variety of plants, prevent soil erosion, store water and promote the... More ≫

Description

Rangeland health refers to the ability of a plant community to perform vital ecological functions. Healthy rangelands have a variety of plants, prevent soil erosion, store water and promote the cycling of nutrients and energy. To determine the health of your rangeland, start by asking questions.

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Aquatic vegetation removal from Alberta lakes

Description

Aquatic plants are an important part of a natural aquatic ecosystem, especially for the ecology of shoreline areas. They provide habitat for fish to spawn, feed and hide from predators. Aquatic... More ≫

Description

Aquatic plants are an important part of a natural aquatic ecosystem, especially for the ecology of shoreline areas. They provide habitat for fish to spawn, feed and hide from predators. Aquatic plants help maintain water quality by stabilizing sediments. Too many aquatic plants, however, can interfere with boating, swimming and other recreational water activities. At time, some control through aquatic vegetation removal may be necessary and allowed under special circumstances. Removal of aquatic vegetation may be approved for individual use, public use or commercial purposes. Public use or commercial purposes are normally limited to areas that benefit multiple users or are required for the successful operation of commercial facilities.

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Impact of grazing on soil mesofauna diversity and community composition in deciduous forested rangelands of northwest Alberta

Description

In an attempt to evaluate the ecological function of forested rangelands, the forested range health assessment protocol was developed. The protocol measures a number of key vegetation and soil... More ≫

Description

In an attempt to evaluate the ecological function of forested rangelands, the forested range health assessment protocol was developed. The protocol measures a number of key vegetation and soil parameters in order to estimate forested range health. Although certain soil parameters are indirectly assessed through measurements of LFH, there is limited knowledge about how these metrics relate to soil ecosystem health and the structure and composition of soil mesofaunal communities. In this study, the relationships between different range health gradients and soil mesofauna were evaluated.

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Measuring rangeland health : the rangeland health assessment protocol : an ecological tool for land stewards

Description

This brochure provides an introduction to how range health is measured, and its application and benefits. More detailed information such as the range health assessment field work books for native... More ≫

Description

This brochure provides an introduction to how range health is measured, and its application and benefits. More detailed information such as the range health assessment field work books for native grasslands and forests, and tame pasture can be found by viewing the Rangeland Health and Assessment menu.

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Wildlife & human health in Alberta

Description

Very few human health risks are present in fishes and wildlife in Alberta. Careful handling of wild game and thorough washing, cooking and freezing also reduces the risk of human infection. Anyone... More ≫

Description

Very few human health risks are present in fishes and wildlife in Alberta. Careful handling of wild game and thorough washing, cooking and freezing also reduces the risk of human infection. Anyone who finds something that looks unusual in harvested fish or wildlife can contact our Fish and Wildlife offices for more information.

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Rangeland health assessment for grassland, forest and tame pasture [2009]

Description

Rangelands are complex and diverse, but with practical field training, it is possible to consistently evaluate the condition or health of a range site. Traditional range condition assessment... More ≫

Description

Rangelands are complex and diverse, but with practical field training, it is possible to consistently evaluate the condition or health of a range site. Traditional range condition assessment sometimes seems complex and cumbersome. This new methodology provides a visual system that allows users to readily see changes in range health and to provide some early warning when management changes are needed. Like the system of riparian health assessment developed by the Cows and Fish Program in Alberta, range health assessment is intended to help users "tune" their eyes to some key indicators of range health.

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Climate change and Alberta's forests : an information and discussion paper of predicted implications

Description

This report collates and synthesizes much of the current information and scientific literature on the impacts of climate change on forests and forest ecosystems, with special relevance to the... More ≫

Description

This report collates and synthesizes much of the current information and scientific literature on the impacts of climate change on forests and forest ecosystems, with special relevance to the province of Alberta. Forest ecosystems are highly dependent upon climate for distribution of tree species, their growth, productivity and health, and are predicted to respond in a variety of ways to a changing climate. This report presents an overview of the major impacts predicted to occur during the 21st century. Based upon climate change projections for Alberta, significant impacts reviewed are in relation to tree species distributions, changes in forest ecosystems and biodiversity, wetland areas, growth and productivity responses of trees, disturbance events, forest genetics, invasive species, and with an emphasis on forest health-related issues. The main purposes of this report are to serve as an information source, to increase awareness of the potential impacts of climate change on...

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Cutblock assessment tool : level 1 status assessment (approximation #1)

Description

The Cutblock Assessment Tool was developed to help guide the successful integration of grazing and timber management practices on overlapping dispositions. It is a status assessment tool not a... More ≫

Description

The Cutblock Assessment Tool was developed to help guide the successful integration of grazing and timber management practices on overlapping dispositions. It is a status assessment tool not a diagnostic tool. The monitoring process is part of phased risk management approach for determining the status of forage and forest regeneration within cutblocks. The cutblock assessment tool contains information to increase awareness, provide education, and identify integration problems common to the beef and forest industries, and SRD staff. The integration focus makes it distinct from regeneration standards and range health assessment procedures.

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