Landscape Ecological Assessment & Planning (LEAP): Jackfish & Pike

Over the past twelve years, projects related to Jackfish and Pike habitat have undergone numerous Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to assess baseline conditions and track the changing status of ecosystem "indicators" (such as species richness, habitat suitability, and linear density). In light of new land use initiatives underway in Alberta (e.g. Land Use Framework, Biodiversity Management Framework, Wetland Policy), terrestrial indicators were reassessed to determine if their trajectory was on track with previous estimates. Ecosystem services, the benefits nature provides to people, were taken into consideration as new indicators. This assessment also looked at the impact of Best Management Practices (BMPs) on indicators, and which BMPs were most effective.

The assessment found that overall, most indicators selected for analysis were following the same trajectory as first estimated in each respective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). All of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) had a relative positive impact on multiple indicators, with linear restoration having the highest relative impact, followed by interim reclamation. The assessment identified significant opportunities to restore 2D seismic areas on and directly adjacent to the Jackfish and Pike leases.