Caribou Protection and Recovery Program – 2012

In 2011, the Oil Sands Leadership Initiative Land Stewardship Working Group commissioned the investigation into the feasibility of creating a fenced woodland caribou predator exclosure or safe zone in northeast Alberta. A workshop with 43 technical experts was held in May 2012 to discuss appropriate guidelines or criteria that would be required to successfully implement a predator exclosure from a biological and ecological standpoint, or the science-based reasons why this approach should not be considered further. This report integrates conclusions and recommendations of the four feasibility evaluations and technical workshop.

Caribou Protection and Recovery Program – 2012.pdf

Antoniuk T., L. McNeil, J. Nishi, and K. Manuel. 2012. Caribou Protection and Recovery Program – Technical Guidance. Prepared for Oil Sands Leadership Initiative Land Stewardship Working Group. 84 Pages.

Cumulative Effects Assessment – Linking social and ecological and governance dimensions – 2011

This paper introduces a special section describing elements of multidisciplinary framework to consider cumulative effects management in land use planning. The paper introduces case studies that demonstrate how scenario analysis can be applied in data-limited regions and how social dimensions of land use change can be incorporated in these methods, particularly in aboriginal communities. These case studies explore how scenario analysis can be used to incorporate social values by considering land use alternatives through community consultation approaches. Specific challenges with identifying social and ecological responses, determining thresholds and targets for land use, and integrating local and traditional knowledge in land use planning are also acknowledge. The paper also provides perspective on various processes for identifying cumulative impacts and thresholds.

Cumulative Effects Assessment – Linking social and ecological and governance dimensions – 2011.pdf

Weber, M., N. Krogman, and T. Antoniuk. 2012. Cumulative effects assessment: linking social, ecological, and governance dimensions. Ecology and Society 17(2): 22.

Athabasca Caribou Landscape Management Options Report – 2009

The Athabasca Landscape Team (ALT) was established in June 2008 and asked to develop management options to recover and sustain boreal caribou in all populations in the Athabasca Landscape area, consistent with Alberta’s woodland caribou Recovery Plan. The ALT undertook two analyses from which it developed the management options presented in this report. The first was a rating of the relative risk to caribou persistence within each planning area and range based on a series of eight risk criteria. These criteria, provided in the report, included both biological and land-use factors believed to influence short- or long-term persistence and habitat function. The second analysis conducted for each planning area involved simulation modeling. Modeling was conducted to forecast likely caribou populations and habitat conditions under three scenarios including non-industrial, business as usual, and alternative futures. Results from two ranges are provided in the report (a detailed modeling report was included as an Appendix). Finally, the ALT recommends management options that would recover and sustain current caribou abundance and distribution in each Athabasca Landscape planning area.

Athabasca Caribou Landscape Management Options Report – 2009.pdf

Athabasca Landscape Team. 2009. Athabasca Caribou Management Options Report. 115 Pages.