Footprint Characterization A Focus for Landscape Photo - Credit Tim - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Footprint Characterization A Focus for Landscape Photo - Credit Tim Vinge Management Tim Vinge (GOA Lead) Photo - Credit Tim Vinge Landscape Restoration Ecologist Resource Integration Planning Branch Government of Alberta Photo - Credit Tim
Tim Vinge (GOA Lead) Landscape Restoration Ecologist Resource Integration Planning Branch Government of Alberta Dr Scott Nielsen (Technical Advisor) Associate Professor & Alberta Biodiversity Conservation Chair Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta
Photo Credit – Tim Vinge Photo - Credit Tim Vinge Photo - Credit Tim Vinge Photo - Credit Tim Vinge
1. Alignment With the Biodiversity Management Framework (BMF) 2. The Management Approach 3. The Toolkit 4. Making Good Decisions for Management (Decision Support Tools) 5. Current Provincial Initiatives (ALGAR, CEMA Stony Mountain 800 Access
Pilot, ALPAC Dillon Wildlands Restoration and DART)
6. Pulling it all together (The management system) 5. Next steps (Our Commitment)
The Biodiversity Areas have been identified under the BMF. The Landscape Management Plan will use the Biodiversity Areas in the BMF to help focus management actions. The goal is to create a strong network of areas across the landscape in support of biodiversity.
1. Areas Containing Biodiversity Values
The BMF will inform the landscape evaluation in two important areas
The BMF has identified indicators that represent a broad range of biodiversity in the region. The BMF indicators will be used as evaluation criteria to determine management focus areas. Additional values can be identified through the stakeholder engagement process and the BMF for use as evaluation criteria. 2. Biodiversity Management Framework Indicators
We must develop a strategy to manage the landscape in the face of it’s complexity and diversity. Solutions for landscape management are
must be able to see through this complexity to define effective management solutions Ecosystems have form and function. We need to build a management system around this understanding
Photo Credit - EMEND Research Study
Disturbances are important drivers
We must manage risk
The music rarely stops and when it does there is never enough chairs
to the landscape over time. There is an adaptation to these changes.
affect values in a + or – fashion.
management maintains these values over time (i.e. wildlife habitat)
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Wildlife Example
Where ? What tools?
1. Avoid and minimize new footprint 2. Restoration of legacy linear footprint
Decision Support Capability
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Minimize New Disturbances Integrated Land Management Tools
Integrated Land Management Tools Compendium Both are Important
Fix Legacy Linear Disturbances Restoration Tools
Seismic Line Treatments
Linear restoration tools have been developed over the last 5 years.
Using good disturbances to fix legacy disturbances Positive responses of ecosystems to management interventions
Use approaches that are inspired by nature
Old Legacy 2D Seismic
Mounding site Preparation 2.4 Million Dollars in research in the last 5 years.
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Road before treatment Road after treatment Targeted Linear restoration and access management
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Mounding site Preparation
The ILM tools already exist
Depends on
Goal of ILM is to minimize the impact of development.
Access Management
Photo Credit - Tim Vinge
Application of ILM is place-based
How do we make the best decisions? Lots of Land Uses
Landscape Complexity
What should I do? Where should I do it? How much should I do? Where should I start? What tools do I have available?
We need a comprehensive approach to deal with complexity
Photo Credit - Brian Coupal
Courtesy of the BC Ministry of Forests
Photo Credit – Natural Resources Canada
Photo Credit – Tim Vinge
The Partners
Monitoring Institute
Decision Support Tool The tools selected will help to focus management options including ILM and restoration in the best locations.
Planning Units Values Targets Costs
Potential Options
¼ section is ~800 x 800 m (~66 ha)
Photo credit: Tim Vinge
Traditional (2D) seismic line footprint
Total = 53,496 km
Areas predicted to have failed natural regeneration
Forest regen. ≥3m
Restoration targets within woodland caribou range
Photo credit: Scott Nielsen Photo credit: Scott Nielsen Photo credit: Scott Nielsen
List available
List available
BMF Indicators-
Anthropogenic footprint
Bitumen thickness
ABMI footprint
Disturbance Considerations
Restoration targets Biodiversity values Disturbance Considerations
Use software to identify & rank sites for restoration & biodiversity value, given the fewest constraints to restoration & conservation (“best bang for your buck”)
2D lines 2D lines & caribou caribou & biodiversity
Comparison of BMF Biodiversity Areas to Preliminary Management Focus Areas in the LMP
Restoration and ILM Focus Areas BMF Biodiversity Areas Map
Access management Pilot. Looks at managing access and reclamation of linear features in the RMWB.
Initiative (OSLI), now COSIA. The ALGAR program is using linear restoration techniques to restore caribou habitat in wetlands.
research will help to set priorities for seismic line restoration.
to offset new pipeline construction in the Dillon Wildlands area in north eastern Alberta.
All of these initiatives will contribute to the Landscape Management Plan.
to determine the best locations for management actions. Phase I will use the BMF Biodiversity Values Areas and Indicators along with other biodiversity values to determine management focus areas.
additional stakeholder values and BMF Indicators to refine ILM and restoration applications.
– Phase II will inform the Resource Management Plans (i.e. Moose Lake Access Management Plan and Birch River Conservation Area Ecosystem Forestry Plan, and the SAOS Plan) on site based application of restoration and ILM strategies.