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Alberta conservation information management system ecological community tracking list

Description

Natural ecological communities are defined as recurring assemblages of plant species; the species occurring together because they respond similarly to a variety of site attributes (Grossman et al... More ≫

Description

Natural ecological communities are defined as recurring assemblages of plant species; the species occurring together because they respond similarly to a variety of site attributes (Grossman et al 1994). The species that make up the assemblage often show an affinity or association with each other (Kent and Coker 1992). To develop an initial tracking list of natural ecological community elements, publications describing vegetation in Alberta were reviewed and discussions were held with knowledgeable individuals. Community types that have been described as 'unusual', 'uncommon', 'of limited extent' or 'encountered infrequently' by vegetation experts were considered for inclusion on the Ecological Community Tracking List. Community types that have been described as 'in decline' or 'threatened' by vegetation experts were also considered for inclusion. Only natural communities were considered. The assistance many individuals in developing this tracking and watch list is gratefully...

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Inventory of tiny cryptanthe (Cryptantha minima) and small-flowered sand verbena (Tripterocalyx micranthus) in Alberta

Description

Alberta Sustainable and Resource Development initiated an inventory of small-flowered sand verbena and tiny cryptanthe in southern Alberta in July 2007, in order to obtain additional information... More ≫

Description

Alberta Sustainable and Resource Development initiated an inventory of small-flowered sand verbena and tiny cryptanthe in southern Alberta in July 2007, in order to obtain additional information on their populations, abundance and distribution. Priority areas for this survey included the Bow River populations, north of Medicine Hat, and near McNeill. Prioritization of these areas occurred because of the absence of other survey efforts covering these known populations of tiny cryptanthe and/or sand verbena.

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Small patch communities of Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park

Description

In July 2004, areas within Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park were surveyed to document small patch ecological communities. Small patch ecological communities add considerably to the... More ≫

Description

In July 2004, areas within Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park were surveyed to document small patch ecological communities. Small patch ecological communities add considerably to the diversity of a site, harbouring flora and potentially fauna dependent on these specialized habitats. They are, however, often overlooked in vegetation studies because they are neither extensive nor common enough to be considered representative. The focus of this study was to look within the matrix of the representative ecological communities to find and document the small patch communities that may be significant in a provincial context. The Birch Mountains are one of several highland areas in northeastern Alberta. The slopes of the Birch Mountains are classified as part of the Lower Boreal Highlands Natural Subregion while the higher plateau areas are considered within the Upper Boreal Highlands Natural Subregion. As defined by the two subregions, the Birch Mountains cover approximately 13200 sq...

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Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre tracking and watch lists : vascular plants, mosses, liverworts and hornworts

Description

This list contains the tracking and watch lists for vascular plants, mosses, liverworts and hornworts as developed by the Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Alberta Community Development.

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Small patch communities of Caribou Mountains Wildland Provincial Park

Description

In July 2003 areas within Caribou Mountains Wildland Provincial Park (CMWPP) were surveyed to document small patch ecological communities. Small patch ecological communities add considerably to... More ≫

Description

In July 2003 areas within Caribou Mountains Wildland Provincial Park (CMWPP) were surveyed to document small patch ecological communities. Small patch ecological communities add considerably to the diversity of a site, harbouring flora and potentially fauna dependent on these specialized habitats. They are, however, often overlooked in vegetation studies because they are neither extensive nor common enough to be considered representative. The focus of this study was to look within the matrix of the representative ecological communities to find and document the small patch communities that may be significant in a provincial context.

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Survey of rare vascular plants in La Butte Creek Wildland Provincial Park

Description

La Butte Creek Wildland Provincial park is one of 81 recently designated protected areas, established in March 1998. It is located in the northeast corner of Alberta, north of Lake Athabasca,... More ≫

Description

La Butte Creek Wildland Provincial park is one of 81 recently designated protected areas, established in March 1998. It is located in the northeast corner of Alberta, north of Lake Athabasca, about 300 km north of Ft. McMurray. The two main objectives of this reconnaissance survey were to: document the location, habitat and population size information for tracked vascular plant taxa occurring within the study area; and develop a preliminary list of vascular plant species for LBCWPP.

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Plant community types of sand dunes and sand plains in selected areas of the boreal natural region

Description

This study focused on the inventory of natural and semi-natural plant communities. Unique or recurring plant communities were identified in the field and inventoried using standard provincial... More ≫

Description

This study focused on the inventory of natural and semi-natural plant communities. Unique or recurring plant communities were identified in the field and inventoried using standard provincial ecological site and vegetation forms. The concepts for potential plant communities were first developed in the field by tabulating the percent ground cover of dominant species within each stratum for each stand sampled. This preliminary grouping of stands with similar characteristics helped to identify potential communities and to direct sampling efforts. A range of site positions and ecological conditions were investigated in search of unique or recurring plant communities. Field data was then analysed using PC-ORD (Version 4.25) to statistically determine grouping of plant communities using Detrended Correspondence Analysis and agglomerative cluster analysis. The results were critically reviewed and final plant communities were then classified according to The International Classification of...

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Survey of rare vascular plants in Fidler-Greywillow Wildland Provincial Park

Description

Fidler-Greywillow Wildland Provincial Park is one of 81 recently designated protected areas, established in March 1998. It is a remote site located in the northeast corner of Alberta, north of... More ≫

Description

Fidler-Greywillow Wildland Provincial Park is one of 81 recently designated protected areas, established in March 1998. It is a remote site located in the northeast corner of Alberta, north of Lake Athabasca, about 315 km north of Fort McMurray. This park includes portions of the north shore of Lake Athabasca and a series of islands, two of which are amongst the largest islands in the lake. FGWPP falls within the Kazan Upland and Athabasca Plain subregions of the Canadian Shield Natural Region of Alberta.The two main objectives of this reconnaissance survey were to a) document location, habitat and population size information for tracked vascular plant taxa occurring within the study site, and b) to update the list of vascular plant species for FGWPP.

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Pilot inventory of invasive plant species in selected protected areas in Alberta : Dinosaur Provincial Park

Description

The purpose of this project is to locate, document and map the occurrences of invasive plants in Dinosaur Provincial park. This protected area was selected to extend the pilot inventory to a... More ≫

Description

The purpose of this project is to locate, document and map the occurrences of invasive plants in Dinosaur Provincial park. This protected area was selected to extend the pilot inventory to a protected area with climate, landform and disturbance conditions widely different from those affecting areas previously studied, namely Police Outpost and Beauvais Lake parks. Target invasive plant species to be inventoried will include those threatening rare plants and those commonly associated with human caused disturbances. As before, local site managers may indicate additional target species of special concern for park management. The project will serve to test and possibly modify or improve methodology developed for the two previously inventoried areas.

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Status of the tiny cryptanthe (Cryptantha minima) in Alberta

Description

This wildlife status report looks at the tiny cryptanthe. Also known as small cryptanthe and little cat's-eye, it is an annual vascular plant species found in semi-arid grasslands of the great... More ≫

Description

This wildlife status report looks at the tiny cryptanthe. Also known as small cryptanthe and little cat's-eye, it is an annual vascular plant species found in semi-arid grasslands of the great plans of western North America. Its known range in Canada is in the dry mixedgrass prairie of southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan, and it is included on on the list of species that may be at risk in Alberta. This report is part of the Alberta Wildlife Status Report series, which provides comprehensive summaries of selected wildlife species intended to be useful to those managing populations of species and their habitats, and to help identify species that may be formally designated as endangered or threatened.

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