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Ecosystem goods and services southern Alberta : a framework for assessing natural asset condition

Description

This project builds on earlier work undertaken as part of the development of the Southern Alberta Landscapes: Meeting the Challenges Ahead regional strategy. It develops a framework to assess the... More ≫

Description

This project builds on earlier work undertaken as part of the development of the Southern Alberta Landscapes: Meeting the Challenges Ahead regional strategy. It develops a framework to assess the condition of natural assets (land cover types) in southern Alberta with respect to the provision of ecosystem services and goods. There is a direct, though not always linear, relationship between the condition of natural assets and the type, quantity, and quality of services they provide. The objective of the current project is to explain and summarize this relationship. The focus is on identifying key components that constitute asset condition and providing measurable indicators of ecosystem services.

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Ecosystem goods and services assessment - southern Alberta : phase 2 report - version 2 : conceptual linkages and initial assessment

Description

Ecosystem services are the conditions and processes through which natural ecosystems, and the species that make them up, sustain and fulfill human life. This ecosystem goods and services... More ≫

Description

Ecosystem services are the conditions and processes through which natural ecosystems, and the species that make them up, sustain and fulfill human life. This ecosystem goods and services assessment will produce an inventory of the natural assets that exist within southern Alberta, and identify the ecosystem goods and services that are subsequently provided. In addition, the assessment will include a description of the role of the ecosystem services in relationship to the maintenance of the assets and the production of the goods, a qualitative evaluation of the relative importance of the ecosystem services to southern Alberta, and the impact that anthropogenic activity has on the services. The purpose of the assessment is to support the development of the Southern Alberta Landscapes: Meeting the Challenges Ahead regional strategy.

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Review of Alberta Environment's ecosystem goods and services assessment - southern Alberta phase 2 report

Description

Alberta Environment retained Management and Solutions in Environmental Science (MSES) to review and assess the ministry's Ecosystem Goods and Services Assessment Report. This report from MSES... More ≫

Description

Alberta Environment retained Management and Solutions in Environmental Science (MSES) to review and assess the ministry's Ecosystem Goods and Services Assessment Report. This report from MSES evaluates the overall framework of the Ecosystem Goods and Services Assessment, addresses the questions posed by Alberta Environment, and provides recommendations for further discussion.

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Ecosystem goods and services assessment - southern Alberta : phase 1 report key actors and initiatives

Description

Reports the results of a study to assess the importance of ecosystem goods and services (EGS) in southern Alberta. The EGS assessment will provide important background information in support of... More ≫

Description

Reports the results of a study to assess the importance of ecosystem goods and services (EGS) in southern Alberta. The EGS assessment will provide important background information in support of developing the Southern Alberta Landscapes regional strategy and will identify areas of further investigation and study regarding the importance of EGS in southern Alberta. The Phase 1 report summarizes the responses of more than 165 organizations and individuals thought to be addressing issues important to ecosystems in southern Alberta. Also includes an annotated bibliography of information relevant to EGS and highlights areas where information is currently lacking.

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Forty possible methods for the southern Alberta landscapes project

Description

As part of the Southern Alberta Landscapes (SAL) Strategy Development Project, this working paper sets out 40 different methods or processes that could be utilized when designing the overall... More ≫

Description

As part of the Southern Alberta Landscapes (SAL) Strategy Development Project, this working paper sets out 40 different methods or processes that could be utilized when designing the overall strategy. The intention of the paper is to provide enough information about each method to allow members of the Total Southern Alberta Landscapes Team and others to be able to think creatively about which methods might best be used and when.

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External review of ALCES sector models

Description

As part of the development of a regional sustainable development strategy for southern Alberta, the Southern Alberta Sustainability Strategy (SASS) managers have chosen to employ a computer... More ≫

Description

As part of the development of a regional sustainable development strategy for southern Alberta, the Southern Alberta Sustainability Strategy (SASS) managers have chosen to employ a computer simulation model known as ALCES® (A Landscape Cumulative Effects Simulator). ALCES® contributes to a regional strategy through its use as an exploratory tool to identify emerging regional issues and opportunities, and by examining the potential implications of trends and policy choices under a range of future scenarios. The Miistakis Institute was contracted by Alberta Environment to coordinate an independent, expert, technical peer review of the methodology behind four ALCES sub-models, and an assessment of whether or not they allow for useful and reasonable simulations of natural resources over 50 year time-periods in support of current land and resource management decisions.

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An examination of the effects of economic growth on landscape features and processes in southern Alberta using ALCES (A Landscape Cumulative Effects Simulator)

Description

To help understand the cumulative effects of rapid economic growth on the southern Alberta landscape, modelling was done to simulate change over a 50-year period using two different scenarios. ... More ≫

Description

To help understand the cumulative effects of rapid economic growth on the southern Alberta landscape, modelling was done to simulate change over a 50-year period using two different scenarios. This report presents the results of the modelling.

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Regional economic overview and outlook for southern Alberta

Description

This report was compiled to describe the overall sectoral characteristics and trends in economic activity in southern Alberta, to identify key drivers that may determine the future direction of... More ≫

Description

This report was compiled to describe the overall sectoral characteristics and trends in economic activity in southern Alberta, to identify key drivers that may determine the future direction of the economy, and to give a general description of the types of environmental impacts that might be expected as a result of economic development in key sectors. Data included in this report were collected through a document and literature review and through interviews with social and environmental scientists, economists, industry representatives, and government officials.

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Southern Alberta landscapes : meeting the challenges ahead. Input-output model

Description

An input-output model is a representation of economic activities in a state or a nation. It attempts to quantify, at a point in time, the economic interdependencies that exist in the economy. The... More ≫

Description

An input-output model is a representation of economic activities in a state or a nation. It attempts to quantify, at a point in time, the economic interdependencies that exist in the economy. The purpose of this report is to describe the development of an input-output model as a means of forecasting impact analysis for the Southern Alberta Sustainable Strategies region.

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Modeling wildlife and biodiversity

Description

As part of the regional resource overview for Southern Alberta Landscapes: Meeting the Challenges Ahead (SAL), input from wildlife professionals throughout Alberta and the other prairie provinces,... More ≫

Description

As part of the regional resource overview for Southern Alberta Landscapes: Meeting the Challenges Ahead (SAL), input from wildlife professionals throughout Alberta and the other prairie provinces, representing provincial governments, the federal government, universities, consulting organizations, and other organizations, was solicited to determine which species and species groups should be modeled, and to decide how modeling of species and species groups should be conducted.

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