A strategy for landscape planning in the county of Parkland, Albert

Private land management at the individual level strongly affects the sustainability of wildlife populations in the County of Parkland, Alberta. Landscape Ecology principles were used to develop a strategy for land management and planning, and, in doing so, facilitate maintenance of natural habitat for wildlife. Specific objectives included the identification of Landscape Ecology principles applicable to the County of Parkland; identification of existing habitat types and distribution patterns: assessment of habitat availability and suitability for indicator wildlife species; and, identification of goals and strategies for habitat management within Landscape Units in the County of Parkland.;Objectives were met using air photos from 1949 and 1987 to determine amount of land clearing in sample sections throughout the County. A Reconnaissance Vegetative Inventory within a GIS was also used to determine the available habitat and distribution pattern of coniferous forest, treed riparian areas, wetlands, shrub and deciduous areas, tall deciduous, and general upland vegetation.;The County is an agriculturally dominated landscape. Although the County has the capability of supporting vegetative habitat and associated wildlife species ranging from grasslands through coniferous forest, the vegetation available is fragmented and scattered throughout the County. Four main types of areas of conservation interest involve riparian areas, wetlands, remnant forested patches and fencerows. More deciduous dominated forest exists in the County than coniferous forest and generally these remnant forest patches are associated with wetlands or riparian areas. The establishment of additional upland cover associated with the two wetland areas in Glory Hills and Banksiana moraine, and of riparian buffer zones along stream, creek and river corridors would make more habitat available for a greater diversity of species. Retention and enhancement of the remnant coniferous patches of habitat located in the western half of the County is desirable, as is the maintenance of remnant patches of shrub and tall deciduous habitat located north of Lake Wabamun, and along the Pembina and North Saskatchewan Rivers. Since most of the land in the County is under private ownership, landowner cooperation is necessary for habitat retention and enhancement. Individual habitat retention agreements should also be pursued by Fish and Wildlife Services along stream and creek corridor, and adjacent to wetland areas. A conservation program should be established in the County, along with a land stewardship program.