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.