Transcript conservationnets

Bio-diversity Fragmentation
and Conservation Nets
A Pilot Project in Edmonton, Alberta
Jeff Truscott Niagara College
The Earth Observation Systems Lab (EOSL)
The University of Alberta Earth and Atmospheric
Sciences Dept.
What is Bio-diversity?
The biological diversity of a system is determined by the level of species
richness and genetic variation found within the system.
Why is Bio-diversity important?
The biological diversity of a system can be used to gauge the overall
complexity and health of a system, and therefore it’s ability to provide and
maintain essential services to connected systems.
In his book Land Mosaics R.T.T. Forman suggests three groupings for the
values associated with the maintenance of a variety of lifeforms, or Biodiversity:
1).
2).
3).
Food, fibre, and chemical products.
Ecosystem services of controlling water, recycling, and cleaning
the environment.
Inspirational, Aesthetic, and Existence Values
What is Bio-diversity Fragmentation?
-the reduction of native vegetation into disconnected ‘islands’
What outcomes result from the Fragmentation
process?
-remnants may not be large enough to maintain ecological
processes such as water and nutrient cycling that existed prior
to disturbance
-disconnection may isolate patches and prevent effective flow
of genetics in and out of a patch, ultimately leading to
stagnation and/or loss of species
What are Conservation Nets?
An interconnected network of functional conservation units; a
comprehensive network of patches and corridors of varying biological
mediums.
-parks
-protected areas
-green spaces
-remnant patches
-hedgerows
-river valleys
-undeveloped land
-native vegetation
Ideology:
A combination of traditional Conservation philosophy with modern
Landscape Ecological theory through the application of GIS/RS
technology.
1)
The City has recently launched a master transportation plan
that
includes
two ring roads. Vehicle-wildlife collisions
are costly if
natural wildlife corridors are not designed
carefully.
2)
Cost cutting in city maintenance budgets has resulted in
more
"naturalization" of green areas. These changes
could be used to
enhance
corridor
development.
3)
Off leash dog areas have recently been designated.
Conflicts with wildlife should be considered.
4)
Multiple use trails and conservation conflicts are not well
studied.
Trails should consider sports enthusiasts and
conservation.
5)
City educators have always used the river valley* for
teaching; yet,
there is surprisingly little documentation of the
environment and
environmental issues in the city.
*North Saskatchewan River valley (Ribbon of Green)
The basic hypothesis being tested is that we can identify which corridors
are effective in key species movements and which characteristics of
corridors restrict movements of key species.
Goals:
1)
Identify a Conservation Net of nodes and corridors for the
RIBBON
OF GREEN that incorporate areas of high
conservation value and to
identify single and multiple corridors
that link these nodes,
2)
Test the effectiveness of these nodes in protecting biodiversity
and of these corridors to facilitate biological transfer among nodes,
3)
Make recommendations that will solve boundary/buffer zone and
fragmentation issues using environmentally appropriate
methods,
4)
Train at the community, secondary school, technical and
university
level, students who will become communityoriented educators,
managers and researchers so that
they can sustain Conservation Nets
5)
Maintain communication with local, national and international
individuals and groups using high profile activities and methods.
My Involvement:
Develop system to identify potential corridors using a pilot study area
along the White and Black Mud Creeks, tributaries to the North
Saskatchewan river (Ribbon of Green).
Steps Involved:
1).
2).
3).
4).
Using Landsat 7 (1999)satellite imagery, perform an
Unsupervised Classification to identify existing areas of
Biological value.
Perform ground truth testing to verify the positive identification
of areas distinguished in satellite classification.
Perform a Supervised Classification of satellite imagery in order
to isolate the desired regions.
Create polygon coverages of isolated regions and perform spatial
analysis ie. cost analysis, nearest neighbour, to identify likely
corridors used for key species movements.
Study Area: White Mud and Black Mud Creeks
1:50,000
NTS Series 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 (1991).
1:250,000
Numeric Benefits of the application:
1)
Esthetic benefits gained from existing green spaces, protected
areas and re-naturalized public parks positively influences
residential property values.
2).
City of Edmonton is poised to become an international leader in
sustainable, conservative planning; could increase in
drawing Eco-tourist population from nearby Banff and Jasper
National Parks.
3)
Identification and encouragement of wildlife corridors could
reduce the frequency and costs of automobile related conflict.
4)
Re-naturalization of landscapes reduces costs by eliminating
maintenance of heavily manicured public park areas.
Secondary Objectives: (time permitting)
1).
Chronological comparison of Vegetation change using
digital photographs of study area (1989), provided by
City of Edmonton Parks Dept. and Landsat 7 satellite
imagery (1999).
2).
Suitability Assessment of Landsat 7 Resolution
capabilities for Vegetation Classification Accuracy
3).
Determine accuracy enhancement for vegetation
classification by resampling Landsat 7 30m by 30m
resolution bands to 15m by 15m resolution
Panchromatic Band.