Project plan
Project Outline
The city of Edmonton uses an ecological network approach to land use planning and is engaging the public on the Ribbon of Green–a strategic framework supporting a multi-functional network of green spaces through Edmonton’s River Valley. Towards understanding the network’s role in promoting ecological connectivity, Circuitscape models were used to map corridors and identify potential pinch points for animal movement. While useful, these maps do not describe the biophysical conditions contributing to specific pinch points. Identifying these conditions can inform actionable management decisions. Towards this, the sustainability scholar will:
Evaluate wildlife connectivity through the City’s core utilizing a variety of techniques including, but is not limited to: analysis of three years of wildlife camera data, a GIS-based cross-sectional analysis of the river valley, and site evaluations of modelled wildlife corridors and pinch points.
Validate and characterize pinch points derived from terrestrial Circuitscape movement models using wildlife camera data, site evaluations, remote sensing products, and land cover maps.
Identify potential means of expanding connectivity in the river valley (i.e. outline strategies to reduce specific pinch points and movement barriers).
Contribute to appropriate data management and stewardship of existing and created datasets.
Develop a methodological workflow that can be applied to other sections of the ribbon of green.
Create public facing communication materials ( i.e. charts, infographics, story maps) illustrating project results and potential management tradeoffs.
Objectives and Key Results
| # | Objectives | Key Results |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Validate pinch points derived from existing Circuitscape movement models |
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| 2 | Create public facing communication materials describing functional connectivity in Edmonton/’s River Valley |
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Specific Deliverables
| Due Date | Deliverable | Description |
|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2021 | Project plan | |
| May 21, 2021 | GIS database | A geodatabase containing all features used in the analysis (e.g. human footprint, light, cell phone data, habitat characteristics etc) |
| May 28, 2021 | Methodological framework | A detailed outline of my planned methodology |
| Jul. 12 2021 | Draft communication materials | Initial set of cross sectional maps, infographics, etc. for mentor to review |
| Jul. 23, 2021 | Draft report | |
| Jul. 23, 2021 | Pinch point summary | Table and results characterizing features of individual pinch points |
| Jul. 23, 2021 | Identify actionable pinch points | Identify barriers and pinch points suitable for management. |
| Jul 26, 2021 | Reproducible methodology | Zip file containing used code, a file geodatabase, and a detailed methodological workflow. |
Aug. 2021 (date TBD) |
3MT-style presentation | |
| Aug. 6, 2021 | Public facing communications | Maps, infographics, etc. |
| Aug 13, 2021 | Final report |