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Survey and analysis of plant community types of Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park : final report

Description

A fundamental strategy in the preservation of functional ecosystems is to identify and preserve a full compliment of habitat types, which in return support a diversity of animals, plants, and... More ≫

Description

A fundamental strategy in the preservation of functional ecosystems is to identify and preserve a full compliment of habitat types, which in return support a diversity of animals, plants, and other life forms. Vegetation is an integral component of habitat and provides a relatively easy means of inventory and monitoring of ecosystem health both spatially and temporally. The current study, in Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, focuses on the identification of unique riparian and coulee plant associations, or plant community type. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development contracted Wildlands Ecological to complete an inventory of natural/semi-natural plant communities, statistically analyse the data, and describe potential plant community or association types.

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Small patch communities of Colin-Cornwall Lakes Wildland Provincial Park

Description

In July 2002 Colin-Cornwall Lakes Wildland Provincial Park (CC) was surveyed to document small patch plant communities. Small patch plant communities add considerably to the diversity of a site,... More ≫

Description

In July 2002 Colin-Cornwall Lakes Wildland Provincial Park (CC) was surveyed to document small patch plant communities. Small patch plant 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 plant communities to find and document the small patch communities that may be significant in a provincial context.

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Richardson River Dunes Wildland Provincial Park : a synthesis of biophysical information

Description

This report represents a synthesis of the available information on the special and representative features of Richardson River Dunes Wildland Provincial Park (RRD). It is largely based on a number... More ≫

Description

This report represents a synthesis of the available information on the special and representative features of Richardson River Dunes Wildland Provincial Park (RRD). It is largely based on a number of reports and documents that were prepared as a result of field studies conducted during June and August of 2000. These reports and documents are listed in the Bibliography section of this report and will be available on the website of the Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre or through the offices of the Parks and Protected Areas Division. Richardson River Dunes Wildland Provincial Park was established on 18 March 1998 by Order-in-Council (#105/98). Most of the park is currently mapped as occurring within the Central Mixedwood Subregion of the Boreal Forest Natural Region. However, the landscapes and features of the park are more representative of and have more affinities to the Athabasca Plain Subregion of the Canadian Shield Natural Region. The boundaries of the Natural Regions...

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Plant community classification of the Pakowki Sandhills and sand plains

Description

The primary objective of this project was to develop a plant community classification of sand dune and sand plain plant communities of the Grassland Natural Region based on field survey,... More ≫

Description

The primary objective of this project was to develop a plant community classification of sand dune and sand plain plant communities of the Grassland Natural Region based on field survey, correlations with other surveys and any available previously-collected data. Furthermore, each identified community type was evaluated and assigned a preliminary provincial rank, based on its rarity/endemism or threats to its condition. This was accomplished by developing a sampling protocol and subsequently collecting field data on plant communities of the sand dune and sand plain landscapes of the Pakowki Sandhills. Furthermore, a comparison of defined plant community types to similar types described in previously conducted field surveys in similar landscapes in Alberta and adjacent provinces and states was completed. A similarity rating based on a scale provided by Corns (1983) was also provided.

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Maybelle River Wildland Provincial Park and Athabasca Dunes Ecological Reserve : a synthesis of biophysical information

Description

This report represents a synthesis of the available information on the special and representative features of Maybelle River Wildland Provincial Park and the Athabasca Dunes Ecological Reserve.... More ≫

Description

This report represents a synthesis of the available information on the special and representative features of Maybelle River Wildland Provincial Park and the Athabasca Dunes Ecological Reserve. The ecological reserve is located entirely within the boundaries of the wildland provincial park. For purposes of this report, these two sites will be referred to as the 'study area', unless specifically mentioned otherwise, and will be treated as a single site. This report is largely based on a number of other reports and documents that were prepared as a result of field studies conducted during June and August of 2000.

Rare plant inventory of the eastern edge of the lower foothills natural subregion, west-central Alberta

Description

A rare plant inventory was conducted in an area south of Whitecourt, to identify and locate rare vascular and nonvascular plant populations. The inventory was conducted in the summer of 2001, and... More ≫

Description

A rare plant inventory was conducted in an area south of Whitecourt, to identify and locate rare vascular and nonvascular plant populations. The inventory was conducted in the summer of 2001, and followed, where possible, Alberta Native Plant Council guidelines. The study discovered 14 populations representing 12 rare non-vascular plant species. No rare vascular plant populations were confirmed. Most rare plant occurrences (nine non-vascular plant populations and one lichen population) were detected on Whitecourt Mountain. Eight rare species occurrences were protected in provincial natural areas (six in Whitecourt Mountain Natural Area). Rare plants were found in a variety of habitat types, characterized by varying levels of human influence. This study resulted in the identification of potential threats to the rare plant populations discovered and of measures that may enhance their protection. Suggestions for future surveys, both in terms of logistical considerations and of...

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Sundance Provincial Park vegetation survey

Description

The purpose of this vegetation survey was to identify and describe all associated plant community types found within the Sundance Provincial Park and associated special management zone. As part of... More ≫

Description

The purpose of this vegetation survey was to identify and describe all associated plant community types found within the Sundance Provincial Park and associated special management zone. As part of this process other features of unique, sensitive or disturbed nature were noted. These included, but were not limited to, new disturbance features (cutlines, well site roads, quad trails, and hiking/horse trails) significant wildlife habitat areas or migration corridors (including mineral licks and hibernacula), or areas of high biodiversity (old growth forests and highly diverse plant communities). The information collected as part of this vegetation survey not only provides a detailed assessment of the vegetation communities that occur in the region, but also identifies areas of high use, sensitive areas that may be in need of additional protection, or other significant features that may be of ecological, biological or cultural interest. This is a well-used provincial park with a number...

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Small patch communities of La Butte Creek Wildland Provincial Park

Description

In July 2001 La Butte Creek Wildland Provincial Park (LBCWPP) was surveyed to document small patch plant communities. Small patch plant communities add considerably to the diversity of a site,... More ≫

Description

In July 2001 La Butte Creek Wildland Provincial Park (LBCWPP) was surveyed to document small patch plant communities. Small patch plant 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 not extensive or common enough to be considered representative. The focus of this study was to look within the matrix of the representative plant communities (surveyed and documented by the Ecological Land Classification team) to find and document the small patch communities that may be significant in a provincial context. This work was also significant as there were no previous studies documenting vegetation of this remote area. LBCWPP is located in the northeast corner of Alberta, a remote site accessible in summer only by air or water. The character of the site changes significantly from west to east, as it straddles two natural subregions,...

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Proposed protocols for inventories of rare plants of the grassland natural region

Description

Several reports have been prepared on the status of Alberta's native plant species. More recently, nonvascular plants have been given some attention and tracking lists have been developed. There... More ≫

Description

Several reports have been prepared on the status of Alberta's native plant species. More recently, nonvascular plants have been given some attention and tracking lists have been developed. There is a relatively good information base for rare vascular species but a very limited one for rare non-vascular plants. This report analyzes the vascular plant species and discusses potential approaches to research, monitoring and conservation of vascular and non-vascular plants in the Grassland Natural Region. There is a fundamental recognition that habitat or landscape level approaches are preferred but that some single species attention may still be required. One hundred and twelve vascular plant species were selected for detailed analysis and preparation of protocols based on their distribution within the Grassland Natural Region.

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Preliminary classification of native wheat grass (Agropyron spp.) community types in Alberta

Description

Agropyron SPP, a perennial commonly known as wheat grass, occurs extensively across North American, ranging from Alaska, Yukon, Ellesmere Island and Greenland in the north to Newfoundland in the... More ≫

Description

Agropyron SPP, a perennial commonly known as wheat grass, occurs extensively across North American, ranging from Alaska, Yukon, Ellesmere Island and Greenland in the north to Newfoundland in the east and Texas, California and Arizona in the south. The overall goal of this project was to produce a synopsis of historical data on selected native Agropyron plant community types and to create a preliminary provincial classification of these community types. This information will be used to provide a better understanding of the plant community aspects of Alberta's biodiversity.

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