Foothills Model Forest Research Articles

Grizzly Bear conservation in the Foothills Model Forest: appraisal of a collaborative ecosystem management effort

In west-central Alberta, Canada, an ambitious collaborative conservation program for grizzly bears began in 1999, after extensive controversy over the Cheviot coal mine project and successful negotiation of a unique federal–provincial strategic framework for grizzly bear conservation. Unfortunately that program was effectively terminated without any substantive implementation of its research findings. The regional ecosystem approach for conserving grizzlies in the Foothills Model Forest originated in federal and provincial legislative processes but proved vulnerable to shifting goals and containment by a single powerful participant. This case study’s results demonstrate vulnerabilities of the ecosystem management approach to conserving large carnivores. To enable other such conservation efforts to achieve their goals, we recommend supporting emergent small-scale initiatives and designing collaborative institutions that limit the potential for containment of decision processes.

The impact of landscape disturbance on grizzly bear habitat use in the Foothills Model Forest, Alberta, Canada

The Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada are subject to a growing number of human activities that cause landscape disturbances. This region is important for large carnivore species such as grizzly bears, whose population decline is a serious management concern. Understanding the impact of landscape disturbance on grizzly bear habitat use is necessary to effectively manage this region and beyond. The goal of this research is to explore the spatial–temporal pattern of habitat use and to characterize the impact of disturbance on use through time. Research was conducted using radio-telemetry location data of female grizzly bears from 1999 to 2003. Kernel home ranges were created annually for three foraging seasons: hypophagia, early hyperphagia, and late hyperphagia. For each season, locations (30 m × 30 m grid cells) were characterized by the temporal persistence or variability in annual use by grizzly bears. Spatial–temporal trends were then compared for disturbed and undisturbed landscapes. Results indicate that in some foraging seasons, particularly hypophagia, the grizzly bear population's use of disturbed areas was proportionally higher than use in undisturbed areas. In other foraging seasons the trends are less clear, but all show instances of preferential selection of disturbed areas. Given that grizzly bear mortality tends to rise when bears use disturbed areas, this preferential selection of disturbed areas is a management concern. To enhance conservation efforts it may be beneficial to control human use in high-quality habitats. This protection may be most important for high-quality habitats used in the spring, as bears appeared to use smaller areas during this period.

Regenerating boreal forest structure estimation using SPOT‐5 pan‐sharpened imagery

Forested stand structure is an important target variable within the fields of wildlife ecology. Remote sensing has often been suggested as a viable alternative to time consuming field and aerial investigations to determine forest structural attributes. In this study, 44 stands of recently harvested, regenerating, and old growth forest within the Foothills Model Forest in west‐central Alberta were selected to test the ability of pan‐sharpened SPOT‐5 spectral response to classify stand structure. For each stand, a Structural Complexity Index (SCI) was calculated from field data using principal components analysis. To complement the spectral response data set and further increase accuracy, the normalized difference moisture index (NDMI) and three window sizes (5×5, 11×11, and 25×25) of first‐ (mean and standard deviation) and second‐order (homogeneity, entropy, contrast, and correlation) textural measures were calculated over the pan‐sharpened image. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the best explanatory model of the SCI using the spectral and textural data. The NDMI, first‐order standard deviation and second‐order correlation texture measures were better able to explain differences in SCI among the 44 forest stands (r2 = 0.79). The most appropriate window size for the texture measures was 5×5 indicating that this is a measure only detectable at a very high spatial resolution. The resulting classified SCI values were comparable to the actual field level SCI (r2 = 0.74, p = 0.01) and were limited by the strong variability within stands. Future research may find this measure useful either as a separate parameter or as an indicator of forest age for use in wildlife habitat modelling.

The influence of forested landscape attributes on hunter site choice and participation

This work illustrates the use of a non-timber valuation model linked to a number-of-trips prediction model to examine the significance of various forestland attributes and hunter characteristics on hunting site choice and participation in the Foothills Model Forest in west-central Alberta. Data were obtained through a survey that featured determination of hunting trip locations over a three-year period. Clearcut density, fire density, two access variables and, in particular, habitat suitability for ungulate game species were found to be significant variables that influenced hunter site choice. Welfare estimates determined by the number-of-trips prediction model highlight the applicability of the linked model in presenting a more complete picture of the effects of two landscape change scenarios. These scenarios show how the models could be used by land managers to balance economic and social benefits in a bid to move towards sustainable development of forest resources. Key words: non-timber valuation, revealed preference, habitat suitability, random utility theory, landscape attributes, hunter behaviour, multinomial logit

Interpretation of landscape structure gradients based on satellite image classification of land cover

Landscape metrics used to quantify landscape structure and pattern over time and space are increasingly required in wildlife habitat analysis and other applications in environmental management, planning, and research. In such analyses, the spatial attributes of either individual land cover classes or the entire landscape mosaic consisting of multiple land cover classes can be described by computing the respective class- and landscape-level landscape metrics. Recent studies have suggested that a parsimonious suite of independent landscape metrics, or landscape structure gradients, may be useful descriptors of spatial variation over various natural landscapes and that some of these parsimonious gradients may be fundamental to most landscape configurations as guided by the universality of the gradients (percentage of landscape or land cover classes a structure gradient occurs in), consistency (the correlation of principal component loadings of like-structure gradients across different land cover classes), and strength (average variance explained by the structure gradient across land cover classes). Landscape structure gradients can be extracted using separate principal components analyses of a list of class- and landscape-level landscape metrics obtained from land cover maps derived from geographic information system (GIS) databases or remote sensing image classifications. In this study, we examined the landscape structure gradients in the Foothills Model Forest, which is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains Yellowhead Ecosystem, Alberta, Canada, and interpreted differences in quantified gradients of landscape structure using satellite image classification products before and after they were generalized into "polygon-like" maps by smoothing. We used 195 square (5.4 km × 5.4 km) sub-landscapes to ensure an adequate sample size for statistical testing. The class-level analysis resulted in the identification of five consistent structure gradients universally present across the eight land cover classes together explaining the majority of all class-level variation (on average about 53% for all land cover classes). The landscape-level analysis identified that a parsimonious suite of eight fundamental landscape-level structure gradients explained approximately 85% of the variance.

Predictive spatial modelling of landscape change in the Foothills Model Forest

Modelling landscape change has been identified as one of the most significant challenges relevant to wildlife management and conservation, but many spatial tools are not well understood and there are few practical examples of their use. We present an approach to predictive spatial modelling to derive future landscape scenarios ranging from 0 to 100 years in the Foothills Model Forest. A basic input in modelling future landscapes is a land cover classification developed from satellite imagery; subsequent landscape changes are introduced with model subcomponents for forestry, fire, oil and gas exploration and development, natural succession, and vegetation growth (forest age). The resulting landscapes are used in wildlife management planning. Key words: future landscapes scenario, satellite imagery, wildlife management, spatial modeling

Interpretation of land cover changes using aerial photography and satellite imagery in the Foothills Model Forest of Alberta

Aerial photographs acquired in 1948-1952, Corona "spy-satellite" imagery acquired in 1963, and Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS), thematic mapper (TM), and enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) imagery acquired since 1974 were used to interpret land cover changes in the Foothills Model Forest of Alberta. The different image characteristics of aerial photographs and satellite sensor data require different analysis methods, but increasingly these data are being used together to determine changes in land cover and structure over a longer time period than is possible using satellite image data alone. The interpretations from this study suggest that in an active forest management area, conifer forest cover was reduced, broadleaf and mixed-forest cover was increased, and the forests were structured in smaller patches with greater edge density over the years circa 1950–1999. Another part of the study area, recovering from a major fire in the early part of the century, was interpreted to have experienced an increase in conifer forest area and mean patch size over this same time period. Overall, changes in the Foothills Model Forest landscape were relatively easily identified and deemed significant by resource managers; this study suggests additional work is warranted on understanding the effect of these changes in applications such as wildlife management.

Natural disturbance and old-forest management in the Alberta Foothills

There is no widely accepted definition of old growth for west central Alberta. The Foothills Model Forest used tree species composition and time since major disturbance to more broadly define old forest and a stochastic model to project levels of old forest across a landscape. Historically, the simulated "natural" forest landscape was, at any one time, mostly covered by young forest due to active fires. Areas of mature and old forest were, and likely always have been, in the minority. There were even rare times historically when virtually no old forest existed over vast landscapes, and what little did persist occurred in small, isolated patches. The single greatest human influence on old growth in the Alberta Foothills appears to have been successful fire control, which has produced forests today that are on average older than would be expected under natural conditions. Managers of both protected areas and working forests are implementing or developing strategies to restore forests to more natural conditions, and at the same time managing old forest to ensure that it remains a part of current and future forest landscapes. We describe an old-forest analysis and strategy recently incorporated into a new Forest Management Plan for the Weldwood of Canada Limited Forest Management Area. Traditional attitudes toward old forest and its role in highly dynamic landscapes are being revisited on the path to a consistent and broadly supported old-forest strategy. Key words: old growth, management, natural disturbance, Alberta

Estimating impacts of resource management policies in the Foothills Model Forest

This study examines the economic impact of policy changes in a forested region of the province of Alberta known as the Foothills Model Forest (FMF). The effects of policy changes in various sectors are analyzed in terms of all sectors of the regional economy with particular emphasis on the forestry sector. Unlike most analyses of regional policies, this study uses a computable general equilibrium (CGE) framework rather than a fixed-price framework to analyze economy-wide impacts of land use or forest policy changes. The application of this technique on a regional scale is rare in the scientific literature. Model results indicate that a decrease in forestry output somewhat offsets the positive economic impact generated by increased visitor activity. Failure to consider these trade-off impacts in the analysis will result in erroneous conclusions. The outcomes from three timely policy scenarios are examined in this paper. The results from the CGE framework suggest that policy makers face a greater degree of complexity than in current economic impact frameworks.

Incorporating natural capital into economy-wide impact analysis: a case study from Alberta.

Traditionally, decision-makers have relied on economic impact estimates derived from conventional economy-wide models. Conventional models lack the environmental linkages necessary for examining environmental stewardship and economic sustainability, and in particular the ability to assess the impact of policies on natural capital. This study investigates environmentally extended economic impact estimation on a regional scale using a case study region in the province of Alberta known as the Foothills Model Forest (FMF). Conventional economic impact models are environmentally extended in pursuit of enhancing policy analysis and local decision-making. It is found that the flexibility of the computable general equilibrium (CGE) modeling approach offers potential for environmental extension, with a solid grounding in economic theory. The CGE approach may be the tool of the future for more complete integrated environment and economic impact assessment.

Change detection and landscape structure mapping using remote sensing

Satellite remote sensing has long held promise as a powerful method of detecting forest canopy changes and mapping landscape structure over vast, often multi-jurisdictional forest areas. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) spectral response, for example, can be related accurately to changes in physiology and cover at a range of small to intermediate mapping scales. These data have been available continuously for almost 20 years; many areas have earlier satellite image archives stretching back to the 1970s. When considering spatially-explicit changes to landscapes—caused by natural and human disturbances—over this time period, digital, synoptic, and repeatable satellite remotely-sensed data are emerging as the observational media of choice that forest managers must possess and use wisely. In this paper, successful use of satellite remote sensing in two of Canada’s Model Forests is described. First, in the Fundy Model Forest in southeastern New Brunswick, a 15-year TM image sequence was used to detect area changes associated with different harvesting and silvicultural practices. Second, in the Foothills Model Forest in west-central Alberta, grizzly bear habitat maps have been created from multi-scene TM land cover mosaics. These map products constitute critical information on landscape change and configuration required to answer key management questions. The paper concludes with a prognosis for the future role of satellite remote sensing in sustainable forest management as data quality continues to improve (i.e., increasing spatial, spectral, temporal, and radiometric resolutions), and methods are brought into the purview of forest managers and practitioners. Key words: remote sensing, landscape change, forest fragmentation, human disturbance, management information needs, habitat

A comparison of impact measures from hybrid and synthetic techniques: A case study of the Foothills Model Forest

This article presents an applied framework for selective precision in the insertion of superior data into hybrid regional models where regional purchasing coefficients are absent or unattainable. Due to the lack of regional-level data, crude top-down methods are the most frequently applied methods in Canadian regional studies. However, they may lead to inaccurate policy analysis where significant variation exists between the technical coefficients and trade flows of two economies. This article discusses an alternative, hybrid approach that involves the collection of region-specific information and therefore promises greater accuracy and validity of impact analysis. The robustness of the hybrid model is tested against the results derived from a synthetically regionalized model. The Foothills Model Forest (FMF) in west-central Alberta is used as a case study for the development of a sub-provincial economic database for the purpose of regional impact modeling.

Factors Influencing Forest Values and Attitudes of Two Stakeholder Groups: The Case of the Foothills Model Forest, Alberta, Canada

Canada's Model Forest Program was established as a means of implementing concepts of sustainable forest management. An initial step to achieving this is understanding stakeholders' forest values and attitudes. A study was undertaken to examine forest values and attitudes toward forest management of campers and hunters in the Foothills Model Forest of Alberta within the context of a cognitive hierarchy model. Data were collected by mail survey in 1996. Campers and hunters were primarily biocentric in their forest values orientation. These groups supported protection-oriented management strategies, were not in favor of economic development and timber-oriented strategies, and did not believe that current forest management is sustainable. Socioeconomic factors, social influences, and knowledge had little influence on values or attitudes. Forest values were related strongly to attitudes providing support for the cognitive hierarchy model.

Availability of Pileated Woodpecker Cavities and Use by Other Species

I studied production, availability, and use of pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pilcatus) cavities in the Foothills Model Forest, Alberta, Canada. Pileated woodpecker territories contained 4-48 cavity trees. There was an average of 2.20 cavities/km 2 and cavity production exceeded cavity loss during the 5-year study period. There was an apparent surplus of cavities available during all seasons. Of those cavities inspected, 44.6% were used by pileated woodpeekers. > 18 other species used 66.6%, and 22.3% were empty. Pileated woodpecker cavities are an important resource for cavity-using wildlife in western boreal forests, and they may be a critical resource for large secondary cavity-using species that caimot enter cavities excavated by smaller woodpeeker species. Forest managers should protect existing pileated woodpecker cavity trees and implement strategies to support continued production of new cavity trees.

Economic impacts of changes in the forestry sector: A case study of the Foothills region in Alberta

Economic impacts of a reduction in the annual allowable cut and in the price of forest products on the Foothills Model Forest regional economy are examined. A two-sector computable general equilibrium model is developed for the region to do this task. The results indicate that these changes cause significant negative impacts on the forest sector and on the local economy. Results show that other sectors of the economy will expand in response to the above changes in the forest sector. However, the expansion cannot offset the reduction in the forest sector and thus local communities sustain reduction in their income. The results are sensitive to the assumptions about markets for factors. Key words: economic impact analysis, CGE modeling, regional economics, community stability