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Ecological sites of the Upper Foothills subregion. Third approximation

Description

The Upper Foothills Natural Subregion includes about 34 per cent of the Foothills Natural Region area. It occupies a narrow belt between the Lower Foothills Natural Subregion at lower elevations... More ≫

Description

The Upper Foothills Natural Subregion includes about 34 per cent of the Foothills Natural Region area. It occupies a narrow belt between the Lower Foothills Natural Subregion at lower elevations and the Subalpine Natural Subregion at higher elevations, with one outlier on the highest elevations of the Swan Hills. This guide represents the analysis of over 2250 plots described in the Upper Foothills subregion, representing 106 community types. The dominant plant species, canopy cover, environmental conditions and response to grazing are outlined for each type.

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Ecological sites of the Upper Foothills subregion. Second approximation

Description

This guide represents the analysis of over 1,800 plots described in the Upper Foothills subregion, near Grande Cache (Willmore Wilderness Park), Swan Hills and west of Rocky Mtn. House and... More ≫

Description

This guide represents the analysis of over 1,800 plots described in the Upper Foothills subregion, near Grande Cache (Willmore Wilderness Park), Swan Hills and west of Rocky Mtn. House and Calgary. The 1,874 plots represent 99 community types. Early successional or disturbed plant community types, stocking rates for livestock and forage production values are described in the Range Plant Community guide for the Upper Foothills subregion. The dominant plant species, canopy cover and environmental conditions are outlined for each type. This publication is a revision of the guides to Ecological sites of West-central and Southwestern Alberta (1996) for the Upper Foothills subregion.

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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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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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Ecological range sites and reference plant communities of southern Alberta, derived from AGRASID 3.0

Description

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development staff have categorized native range into "range sites" based on recognizable soil and landscape features. Range sites are characterized by unique sets of... More ≫

Description

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development staff have categorized native range into "range sites" based on recognizable soil and landscape features. Range sites are characterized by unique sets of plant communities. Range sites and plant communities have been identified on a pasture–by pasture basis at many locations in southern Alberta. This study reports on work done to develop a method to extend the range site information from individual locations to a larger area of southern Alberta.

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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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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 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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Classification of sand dune and sand plain plant communities in the Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve

Description

The Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve is located directly south of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright, comprising an area of just over 2,800 hectares. The Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve... More ≫

Description

The Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve is located directly south of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright, comprising an area of just over 2,800 hectares. The Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve is provincial Crown land, administered by Alberta Community Development. Current land uses consist primarily of cattle grazing on native pasture. The Buffalo Park Grazing Association holds the lease for grazing rights within and adjacent to the Ecological Reserve. The objectives of this project are:
to develop a plant community classification of sand dune and sand plain plant communities of the Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve, representative of the Central Parkland Natural Subregion based on field survey, correlations with other surveys and any available previously-collected data; and
evaluate and assign a preliminary provincial conservation rank to each identified community type, based on its rarity/endemism or threats to its condition.

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