Section 7 Environmental Monitoring

Ecosystem (Environmental) Monitoring Scientists monitor the health of ecosystems much like a doctor monitors the health of a patient. Scientists monitor the health and understand the impact of disturbances and changes of an ecosystem in order to try and reverse or reduce them.

Ecosystem (Environmental) Monitoring Scientists do: Physical monitoring using satellites and maps Environmental monitoring watching the climate, temperature and weather. Chemical monitoring testing air, soil and water quality Biological monitoring looking for changes in organisms or populations of organisms.

CDC Health Monitoring

When Do We Monitor? Environmental Monitoring will begin because of: Natural changes/disturbances Earthquake, forest fires, storms, land slides, volcanic eruptions Human development Clearing land for forestry. Building of roads or housing developments Scientists attempt to predict what changes will happen to an ecosystem and balance our needs with that of the ecosystem and minimize our impact on an ecosystem. Fish tracking

Long Term Monitoring Amphibians- frogs, toads, and salamanders breathe both through their mouths but also through their skin. Amphibians populations are rapidly declining because of sensitivity their environments They are biological indicators and can tell us about the health of an ecosystem. Pica Indicator Species

Long Term Monitoring Scientists are trying to find out what changes have caused such a decline in amphibians Populations fluctuate from year to year, but over all amphibian populations are decreasing. Indicator Species

Baseline Data Baseline data is the starting point of an investigation, and is used to compare how changes happen over time. Scientists use permanent plots to study changes. Studies of global warming and how it affects forests Several plots throughout Canada and the US have been established to count the number of species from year to year.

Baseline Data Baseline data can also be used to predict changes in the environment. If we want to drain a wetland for a housing project, studies tell us that most of the natural species in the area will die off. Often new developments will set aside protected areas for natural wildlife (reserves, green spaces) A report that outlines how an activity will affect the environment is called an Environmental Impact Assessment.

Environmental Monitoring Oxygen downstream from pulp and paper industries were lower then normal. Less oxygen for invertebrates in the lakes in rivers and they began to die off. Less food for fish meant they were smaller and unhealthier. Environmental Monitoring (10:47)

Environmental Monitoring Tracking indicator species gives scientists lots of feedback about an ecosystem Invertebrates are important to most ecosystems and need to be present These are common Albertan invertebrates

Environmental Monitoring Producers provide the energy of all food chains and need to stay in balance These are common Albertan plants

Environmental Monitoring Northern Alberta Heavily Industrialized- oil sands, pulp and paper, forestry. Aboriginals Woodland area called the Boreal Forest with a lot of sensitive species. Reclamation after well sites have dried is key to many big oil companies Air Monitoring

Environmental Monitoring - Oil Sands