Description
This second approximation of plant life in the Central Parkland area of Alberta identifies and classifies the most extensive and common plant communities in the region. It identifies 110 community types and identifies the dominant plant species, canopy cover, environmental conditions, response to grazing, forage production and carrying capacity for each type. The Central Parkland Natural Subregion is one of the most diverse subregions within the province of Alberta, and its lands are valued for a multitude of uses. However, there is little information available on how these uses influence the plant community. "Carrying capacity guides" are being developed for each natural subregion in the province to provide a framework that would easily group the vegetative community types. This classification system is designed to be used to assess carrying capacity and evaluate range health on lands within each subregion.