Contributions to ecosystem health assessment in Calgary’s urban natural areas through technology-enabled citizen science Principle Investigators: Dr. Lynn Moorman (Earth Science) and Dr. Dorothy Hill (Biology), Research Assistants: Jessica Paquette and Alice Liboiron Ecosystem services are ecosystem functions that directly or indirectly benefit humans, such as water regulation, pollination services, erosion control, water purification, and carbon sequestration. These services are provided by intact ecosystems with little to no cost, but the expense of trying to replace them when the ecosystem is no longer functional is substantial. Thus, a cornerstone of environmentally sustainable communities is the protection and enhancement of intact ecosystems. The City of Calgary maintains a number of types of recreational spaces for Calgarians to enjoy, including several “natural areas” which help protect and maintain local biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. However, these popular, high-use natural areas are vulnerable to disturbances which can ultimately affect ecosystem function and result in biodiversity loss. For example, soil compaction resulting from off-trail hiking or cycling reduces the ability of the ecosystem to absorb precipitation and help mitigate flood events. These unofficial trails can also lead to the introduction of invasive species, which then outcompete native species resulting in biodiversity loss. The City of Calgary recognizes the importance of monitoring biodiversity and assessing ecosystem health within the City’s natural areas, and would like to engage the public in data collection through a citizen science approach. The purpose of this research is to develop a spatial collection tool to collect, manage, and analyze ecological data for Calgary’s natural areas. In collaboration with the City of Calgary, we will customize Esri’s ArcGIS Collector App to facilitate citizen science data collection. Not only will this approach assist the City in its assessment of ecosystem health, but it will also engage and educate the public regarding the protection and management of our urban natural areas.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 16:04:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015