Biodiversity Conservation Chair Program at the University of Alberta

The Alberta Biodiversity Research Chairs Program (2013-2018) focused on fast-tracking biodiversity science in the oil sands region. — Key Themes: 1) Predator and woodland caribou response to linear features, developing an approach for prioritizing the restoration of seismic lines, and how climate change may affect planning for caribou conservation. 2) Mapping rare species habitats in Northeastern Alberta, examining the response of key species to seismic lines (ex. Butterflies and invasive species), how fire affects seismic line recovery, how UAVs can be used to monitor vegetation recovery on restored lines, testing translocation success for rare plants, understanding fruiting shrub habitat, UAV mapping techniques for mapping important biodiversity habitats, and informing predictive tools for aiding development planning. 3) The influence of development and cumulative effects on bird species and how to use existing data about birds to map their probability of occurrence in future development areas. New technologies for autonomously recording bird species and training computers for automatic identification can be of use in monitoring birds, owls, and amphibians.

The research programs led by Drs. Stan Boutin, Scott Nielsen, and Erin Bayne collectively demonstrate how industrial development affects wildlife and plant populations in northern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia. Key findings highlight the importance of linear feature restoration for woodland caribou, strategies for conserving rare plants, and understanding species responses to development, fire, and human infrastructure. Innovative tools, such as UAVs, LiDAR, and autonomous recording units, were shown to improve habitat mapping, vegetation monitoring, and wildlife surveys, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of conservation efforts. Overall, these studies provide actionable insights for prioritizing restoration, mitigating development impacts, and supporting the long-term viability of boreal species.