Appendix 85a.1. Bison Winter Habitat Assessment. Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project Integrated Application Supplemental Information Request, Round 3

Transcription

1 Appendix 85a.1 Bison Winter Habitat Assessment

2 Table of Contents APPENDIX 85A.1 BISON WINTER HABITAT ASSESSMENT 85a a a a a.1.5 Introduction...85a.1-1 Assessment Scope and Approach...85a a Study Area...85a a Assessment Cases and Snapshots...85a a Effects Classification...85a.1-3 Methods...85a a Mapping...85a a Mapping Verification...85a.1-5 Results...85a a Reference Conditions...85a a Mapping Verification...85a a Base Case...85a a Application Case...85a a Planned Development Case...85a a Effects Classification and Environmental Consequence...85a a Prediction Confidence...85a.1-9 References...85a.1-9 List of Tables Table 85a.1-1 Table 85a.1-2 Common Open Wetland Sedges and Graminoids... 85a.1-4 Change in Bison Winter Feeding Habitat... 85a.1-7 List of Figures Figure 85a.1-1 Bison Winter Feeding Habitat Predevelopment... 85a.1-2 ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-i

3 85a.1.1 Introduction A bison winter feeding habitat suitability index (HSI) model was developed for the Project to assess cumulative effects on the Ronald Lake bison herd (see Volume 6, Appendix 4A, Section 4A.3, Pages 4A-7 to 4A-13). The HSI model used vegetation cover classes as input variables that subdivide wetlands into functional cover classes recognized by the Alberta Wetland Policy (e.g., marshes and fens). Open wetlands (i.e., marshes, wet meadows and open fens) were rated as having high suitability for winter forage in the HSI winter bison habitat suitability model. The open wetlands cover classes used as input to the HSI model represent different types of wetlands communities that support different species. Some of these species generate large amounts of aboveground biomass, but others do not. As a result, not all open wetlands rated as having high suitability for winter bison feeding habitat in the will produce adequate biomass for bison. The Ronald Lake bison herd requires substantial biomass on an annual basis (about 700 tons of dry matter) to sustain the current known population (i.e., 186 individuals). This estimate is based on an annual requirement of 3,796 kg dry matter per animal (Hamilton 2005; Kuzyk et al. 2009). To account for differential biomass production in open wetlands, a refined open wetlands cover class map has been developed that shows biomass production levels (e.g., low, moderate and high) for each open wetland (see Figure 85a.1-1). The refined map was verified using historical data and Project-specific field studies. Traditional knowledge was also used to verify mapping in areas identified as important habitat for the Ronald Lake bison herd (e.g., buffalo prairie ). In assessing Project and cumulative effects on open wetlands, those with a high potential to produce abundant biomass are specifically considered. Although available traditional knowledge has been used to verify bison winter feeding habitat mapping, MCFN and ACFN have indicated that they have concerns with the degree and manner with which their traditional knowledge and Aboriginal perspectives have been considered and incorporated by Teck, particularly in assessing impacts to Aboriginal rights and culture. To this end, Teck acknowledges the need for further engagement regarding bison, potential effects of the Project on bison, and development of mitigation and monitoring plans for the Ronald Lake bison herd. Teck will revisit conclusions contained in this appendix once the parties have pursued the collaborative processes that Teck, MCFN and ACFN are working to develop, and as additional information is gathered. However, Teck wishes to provide additional western-science-based information that is relevant to bison and their habitat. Teck expects that this information will be reviewed in more detail with potentially affected Aboriginal communities, and it expects to integrate additional information into a bison-specific mitigation and monitoring plan that will be developed for the Project. 85a a Assessment Scope and Approach Study Area An expanded study area was used to quantify the amount of winter feeding habitat potentially available to the Ronald Lake bison herd (see Figure 85a.1-1). This area is larger than the bison study area previously used to assess cumulative effects on the herd (see the response to ESRD/CEAA Round 1 SIR 219c, Appendix 219c.1 and ESRD/CEAA Round 2 SIR 136a, Appendix 136a.4). The expanded study area extends into the Birch Mountains and Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) because recent collar data indicates that bison are using these areas (GOA 2013; Skilnick 2014, pers. comm.). For comparison and to provide further context, areas east of the Athabasca River were also mapped, although there are no recent reports of bison in these areas. ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-1

4 R18 ³ T112 T111 T110 R17W4 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9 R8 R7 R6 R5 R4 R3 T109 Wood Buffalo National Park T108 Lake Claire Richardson Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary T107 T106 Maybelle River Wildland Provincial Park T105 Richardson River Dunes Wildland Provincial Park T104 T103 Athabasca River T102 T101 Marguerite River Wildland Provincial Park T100 T99 Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park T98 T97 T96 Athabasca River T95 T94 T93 T92 T91 High Potential Moderate Potential 100% Open Wetland 100% Open Wetland 90% Open Wetland 90% Open Wetland 80% Open Wetland 80% Open Wetland 70% Open Wetland 70% Open Wetland 60% Open Wetland 60% Open Wetland 50% Open Wetland 50% Open Wetland 40% Open Wetland 40% Open Wetland 30% Open Wetland 30% Open Wetland 20% Open Wetland 20% Open Wetland 10% Open Wetland 10% Open Wetland Low Potential 100% Open Wetland 90% Open Wetland 80% Open Wetland 70% Open Wetland 60% Open Wetland 50% Open Wetland 40% Open Wetland 30% Open Wetland 20% Open Wetland 10% Open Wetland Study Area Township Watercourse National Park Provincial Park/ Protected Area Waterbody T90 T89 Date: File ID: KILOMETRES UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 1:900,000 Acknowledgements: Base data: AltaLIS. Suitability Ranking: Stantec (2014) Author: CS Checked: SL (Original page size: 8.5X11) Figure 85a.1-1: Bison Winter Feeding Habitat - Predevelopment Frontier Project Response to Supplemental Information Request: Round 3 ESRD/CEAA

5 85a Assessment Cases and Snapshots A predevelopment reference condition was used to evaluate the loss of potentially available winter feeding habitat for bison under the following development scenarios: Base Case, which includes developments that are currently operating or under construction, and activities approved but not yet constructed. Application Case, which includes developments and activities in the Base Case with the Frontier Project added. Planned Development Case (PDC), which includes developments and activities included in the Application Case with other planned developments added. An alternate development inclusion list (DIL) was used for the Base Case and Application Case that removed likely-to-be-approved developments such as the Pierre River Mine (PRM) that were applied for, but not yet approved, as of July 18, For a detailed list of which developments are included in the alternate DIL, see the response to ESRD/CEAA Round 1 SIR 308a, Table 308a-1. The revised Project was assessed at maximum build-out (2057). 85a Effects Classification The methods used to analyze and classify effects are the same as those used in the (see Volume 6, Sections to 4.3.7, Pages 4-20 to 4-25). This includes the determination of environmental consequence and prediction confidence. 85a a Methods Mapping Effects of the Project on potentially available winter feeding habitat for bison were assessed based on the estimated carrying capacity required by bison in the winter (for details, see the response to ESRD/CEAA Round 3 SIR 85a). A limiting life requisite for wood bison is winter feeding habitat (Larter and Gates 1991). In the, the key habitat requirement used to define the winter feeding habitat model is the presence of sedge and sedge meadows (see Volume 6, Appendix 4A, Section 4A.3, Pages 4A-7 to 4A-13). Based on this limiting life requisite, open fen and marsh cover classes were predicted to represent high-quality habitat for bison. Open fen and marsh cover classes include several vegetation communities that support species that have different tolerances to water permanence and water quality. These communities have different characteristics such as maximum height and the amount of standing, live biomass that provides a food source for bison. For a list of common species that dominate open fen and marsh communities in northeastern Alberta and their characteristics, see Table 85a.1-1. ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-3

6 Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project Table 85a.1-1 Common Open Wetland Sedges and Graminoids Species Maximum Height (m) Biomass Average and (Range) (kg/ha) Available Nutrients Salinity Tolerance Tall, high biomass producing, temporary to shallow marsh species and fen species Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv. (bluejoint) ,967 (10 to 8,070) 7 Moderate 2 None 2,4 to Low 12 Calamagrostis inexpansa A. Gray (northern reedgrass) ,575 (3,927 to 5,987) 6 Moderate 2 Low 2 Carex aquatilis Wahlenb. (water sedge) to ,834 (1,630 to 3,345) 6 Low 9 to Moderate 2 None 1,4 Carex atherodes Spreng. (awned sedge) to 1.5 2,4 4,686 (3,510 to 6,043) 6 Moderate 2 None 2,4 to Moderate 12 Carex rostrata Stokes (beaked sedge) to ,564 (900 to 8,230) 7 Low 9 to Moderate 2 None 3 to Low 2,4 Scolochloa festucacea (Willd.) Link (spangletop) (1,975 to 4,575) 6 Moderate 2 None 1,4 to Moderate 12 Tall, high biomass producing, deep marsh species Typha latifolia L. (common cattail) ,457 (460 to 15,270) 7 Moderate 2 Low 2,4 Medium height, moderate to high biomass, temporary to shallow marsh species and fen species Carex lasiocarpa Ehrh. (hairy-fruited sedge) to (13 to 477) 8 Low 9 to Moderate 11 Low 10,12 Carex utriculata Boott (small bottle sedge) 0.8 to 1.0 3,4 (1,975 to 4,575) 6 Low 9 to Moderate 2 Low 2,4 Short, low to moderate biomass fen species Carex chordorrhiza Ehrh. ex L. f. (prostrate sedge) 0.3 1,5 to ,330 7 Low 2 None 9 to Low 4 Carex diandra Schrank (two-stamened sedge) (500) 6 Low 1 None 2 Carex limosa L. (mud sedge) to Low 2 None 2 SOURCES: 1 Moss (1983); 2 USDA NRCS (2014); 3 Flora of North America (2003); 4 Alberta Environment (2007); 5 Johnson et al. (1995); 6 Strong and Gates (2009); 7 Campbell et al. (2000); 8 Luan et al. (2013); 9 Jacques Whitford-AXYS (2007); 10 Gignac et al. (2004); 11 McClintock and Waterway (1994); 12 Purdy et al. (2005) ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-4

7 Sedges and related graminoids that have a high biomass production and are found in areas where the water table is near the ground surface provide most of the bison winter diet (Larter and Gates 1991; Strong and Gates 2009; Timoney 2013). This includes species such as Carex atherodes, Carex aquatilis, Calamagrostis canadensis, Calamagrostis stricta and Scolochloa festucacea, all of which require relatively high levels of available nutrients. Other sedges and related graminoids typical of common boreal open fen and marsh ecosystems produce less biomass or are typically shorter species (i.e., Carex chordorrhiza, Carex diandra, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex limosa, Carex utriculata) and are often associated with nutrient-limited ecosystems. These species are also more typical in deeply flooded areas, where most of the biomass is below the frozen surface of the wetland in winter (i.e., Typha latifolia). Large, contiguous areas of open wetlands that have relatively high levels of available nutrients are typical of specific terrain types in northeastern Alberta, including deltaic, riparian and fluvial fan ecosystems. Open wetlands that have available nutrients also frequently occur in areas of upland-dominated hummocky moraine. In contrast, glaciofluvial, aeolian, glaciolacustrine and ground moraine terrain types that dominate northeastern Alberta support nutrient-limited open wetlands (i.e., poor to extreme-rich fens). Open wetlands were mapped at a 1:60,000 scale using a 10% cover class increment following the methods of Vitt et al. (1996) and Halsey et al. (1997) where terrain type is an important consideration in polygon delineation. Mapping was completed using 2011 to 2013 color Landsat imagery with a cell width of approximately 30 m. Once mapping was completed, open wetlands polygons were then rated as having high, moderate or low potential to have available nutrients based on terrain types identified in the terrestrial LSA (see Volume 2, Section 7.4.1, Figure 7-6, Page 7-31) as well as from available surficial geology maps (Fenton et al. 2013). Open wetlands that have high potential for available nutrients likely support the preferred winter habitat of bison. Open wetlands polygons associated with deltaic, fluvial fan or riparian terrain types were considered to have high potential, while those associated with glaciofluvial, aeolian and ground moraine were rated as having low potential. Open wetlands polygons associated with glaciolacustrine deposits that are present on the northern flanks of the Birch Mountains were rated as having moderate potential because nutrient inputs into these wetlands ecosystems are likely high, but not as high as in fluvial fan areas. In addition to requiring a food source, bison also require cover and are therefore often found close to shrub or forest communities. LGL Limited (1986) identified that bison typically remain within 400 m of cover. To quantify the amount of potential bison habitat in the study area, polygons with 80% to 100% open wetlands were considered bison habitat only 400 m into the polygon. For polygons with 10% to 70% open wetlands, it was assumed that as cover would be distributed throughout the polygon; therefore, the entire polygon was considered as available habitat. Potential bison habitat was adjusted by the proportion of open wetlands that was mapped. 85a Mapping Verification To verify mapping accuracy, historical and Project-specific vegetation data were summarized and compared to mapping results. Vegetation data included species percent cover in marshes/wet meadows and open fens and was typically collected across a 20 m x 20 m plot with percent cover of individual species estimated in 5% increments. Species that represented less than 5% of the plot were noted as present in trace amounts. In some cases (e.g., monitoring sites), percent cover data was based on ten replicated 1 m x 1 m plots. ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-5

8 Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project 85a a Results Reference Conditions The distribution of open wetlands without consideration of disturbance (i.e., predevelopment) is shown in Figure 85a.1-1. Most areas of high-potential bison winter feeding habitat are found to the west of the Athabasca River along the flanks of the Birch Mountains where fluvial fan deposits are present and extending north into the Peace-Athabasca Delta where deltaic deposits occur. The area of hummocky moraine that is present around Unnamed Lakes 1 and 2 was also rated as high-potential winter feeding habitat. These areas are known to support open wetlands areas dominated by the sedge and graminoid species that represent bison s winter diet including Carex atherodes in particular (Larter and Gates 1991; Strong and Gates 2009; Timoney 2013). Areas of open wetlands on the Birch Mountains mainly represent poor fen collapse scars within large expanses of permafrost bog. These areas support sedges such as Carex diandra and Carex limosa (National Wetlands Working Group 1988; Allen and Johnson 2007) that generate a low amount of biomass and are not considered a good winter food source for bison. Most areas of open wetlands east of the Athabasca River are associated with glaciofluvial and aeolian deposits and represent moderate- and extreme-rich fens that are often patterned. These fens largely support low biomass-generating sedges such as Carex limosa (Halsey 2006) with higher-biomass species occurring only around the margins of these large open-wetland complexes and along riparian channels. Under predevelopment conditions, there are 63,070 ha of high-potential bison winter feeding habitat in the study area with most (54,161 ha; 85.9%) located west of the Athabasca River (see Table 85a.1-2). 85a Mapping Verification Dominant graminoid species for 99 sites in the study area were compared to mapped open wetlands for available bison winter feeding habitat. Of the 99 sites: 40 sites (40.4%) were located in polygons identified with a high potential to support species that are tall and generate high biomass (i.e., Carex atherodes, Carex aquatilis, Calamagrostis canadensis, Calamagrostis stricta and Scolochloa festucacea) 59 sites (59.6%) were located in polygons identified with a low potential to support species that are tall and generate or high biomass (i.e., other species are present including Carex chordorrhiza, Carex diandra, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex limosa and Carex utriculata) 5 of the 40 sites (12.5%) identified as having high potential to support species that are tall and generate high biomass were not dominated by the expected species (i.e., incorrectly classified) 17 of the 59 sites (28.8%) identified as having a low potential to support species that are tall and generate high biomass did contain those species (i.e., incorrectly classified) Based on the relationship of the 99 sites and the mapping classification, overall mapping accuracy is approximately 78%. Areas identified by Aboriginal communities as being particularly important to the Ronald Lake bison herd (i.e., buffalo prairie) (Candler et al. 2013) were correctly classified as highpotential bison winter feeding habitat. Based on this mapping accuracy, the refined open wetlands cover class map (see Figure 85a.1-1) is thought to underpredict the total amount of available high-potential bison winter feeding habitat. ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-6

9 Table 85a.1-2 Change in Bison Winter Feeding Habitat High-Potential Open Wetland Habitat Predevelopment Base Case Change from Predevelopment to Base Case Application Case Project Maximum Build-out Change from Predevelopment to Application Case Project Maximum Build-out PDC Project Maximum Build-out Change from Predevelopment to PDC Project Maximum Buildout Project Contribution Application Case / PDC (ha) (ha) (ha) (%) (ha) (ha) (%) (ha) (ha) (%) (%) Study area 63,070 62, ,378-2, ,266-3, West of the Athabasca River 54,161 54, ,704-2, ,928-3, ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-7

10 Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project In general, misclassified sites included sites in the Birch Mountains along riparian areas and to the east of the Athabasca River along the edge of large fen complexes. Both of these landscape positions receive upland runoff; therefore, they likely have higher nutrient concentrations than predicted by mapping. Misclassification is supported by traditional knowledge that indicates that the Ronald Lake bison herd makes use of the Birch Mountains (Candler et al. 2013), though it is unclear what season(s) this use occurs in. 85a Base Case There is a decline in high-potential bison winter feeding habitat in the study area of -313 ha (-0.5%) with a -77 ha (-0.1%) decline west of the Athabasca River at Base Case relative to predevelopment without consideration of reclamation (see Table 85a.1-2). 85a Application Case MITIGATION Marsh and wet meadows (MONG wetland class) have been included in the closure, conservation and reclamation plan for the Project. Areas along the margin of Project waterbodies and watercourses with Carex atherodes, and other species with high biomass, will be included in reclamation plantings. Teck will work with regulators and potentially affected Aboriginal communities to develop additional mitigation measures that may be required for the Ronald Lake bison herd. It is anticipated that ongoing research being led by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) and additional studies being completed by ACFN, MCFN, Métis Local 125 and Métis Local 1935 will inform bison-specific mitigation and monitoring plans that will be developed for the Project (for details, see the response to AER Round 3 SIR 2 and ESRD/CEAA Round 3 SIR 85). LINKAGE ANALYSIS Construction, operation, reclamation and closure of the Project will affect high-potential bison winter feeding habitat availability in the study area through site clearing and grading. Indirect effects, such as sensory disturbance (e.g., increased noise levels) from the Project, might temporarily reduce habitat effectiveness; however, only direct effects are considered here. For a more detailed assessment of the effects of the revised Project, see the response to ESRD/CEAA Round 2 SIR 136, Appendix 136a.4. Effects on wood bison winter feeding habitat availability might also influence wildlife health (see Volume 7, Section 2); resource use (see Volume 8, Section 3) and traditional land use (see Volume 8, Section 6). For the validity of linkages to these components, see those sections of the Integrated Application. EFFECTS ANALYSIS There is a decline in high-potential bison winter feeding habitat in the study area of -2,693 ha (-4.3%) with a -2,457 ha (-4.5%) decline west of the Athabasca River at Application Case relative to predevelopment (see Table 85a.1-2). ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-8

11 85a Planned Development Case The Project, in combination with potential developments such as the PRM, will create landscape disturbances that might temporarily reduce the availability of high-potential bison winter feeding habitat. As a result, effects are assessed for the PDC. A decline in high-potential bison winter feeding habitat is expected in the study area at PDC relative to predevelopment (-3,805 ha; -6.0%) with a -3,233 ha (-6.0%) decline west of the Athabasca River (see Table 85a.1-2). 85a Effects Classification and Environmental Consequence Effects of changes in the availability of high-potential bison winter feeding habitat that did not include progressive reclamation are considered of moderate magnitude for all assessment cases. It is expected that the Project will include reclamation of high-suitability winter bison habitat in the reclamation landscape; therefore, effects of the Project are considered reversible from a western-science perspective and following the assessment criteria used in the. As a result, effects on high-potential bison winter feeding habitat are considered of low environmental consequence. Although available traditional knowledge has been used to verify bison winter feeding habitat mapping, MCFN and ACFN have indicated that they have concerns with the degree and manner with which their traditional knowledge and Aboriginal perspectives have been considered and incorporated by Teck, particularly in assessing impacts to Aboriginal rights and culture. To this end, Teck acknowledges the need for further engagement regarding bison, potential effects of the Project on bison, and development of mitigation and monitoring plans for the Ronald Lake bison herd. Teck will revisit conclusions contained in this appendix, and in particular, how this additional information will inform the development of a bison-specific mitigation and monitoring plan for the Project once the parties have perused the collaborative processes that Teck, MCFN and ACFN are working to develop, and as additional information is gathered. 85a Prediction Confidence Prediction confidence for effects on high-potential bison winter feeding habitat is moderate. The quality and quantity of baseline information is considered moderate and reflects a mapping accuracy of 78%. Confidence in analytical techniques is high for assessing direct effects because abundant literature on species habitat requirements exists for model development, and because the Project footprint was defined by the mine plan at an adequate level of detail for the assessment. 85a.1.5 References Alberta Environment Guideline for Wetland Establishment on Reclaimed Oil Sands Leases. Revised (2007) Edition. Edmonton, Alberta. Allen, L. and D. Johnson Small Patch Communities of Birch Mountains Wildlife Provincial Park. Alberta Natural Heritage Information System, Edmonton, Alberta. Campbell, C., D.H. Vitt, L.A. Halsey, I.D. Campbell, M.N. Thormann and S.E. Bayley Net Primary Production and Standing Biomass in Northern Continental Wetlands. Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Information Report NOR-X-369. ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-9

12 Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project Candler, C., R. Olson and the Firelight Group Research Cooperative with The Mikisew Chipewyan First Nation Mikisew Cree First Nation Indigenous Knowledge and Use Report and Assessment for Teck Resources Limited s Proposed Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project. November 15, Fenton, M., E.J. Waters, S.M. Pawley, N. Atkinson, D.J. Utting and K. Mckay Surficial Geology of Alberta 1:1,000,000 scale (GIS polygon features). Alberta Geological Survey, Edmonton, Alberta. Flora of North America Magnoliophyta: Commelinidea (in part) Cyperaceae (Volume 23). Available at: Accessed June Gignac, L.D., R. Gauthier, L. Rochefort, and J. Bubier Distribution and habitat niches of 37 peatland Cyperaceae species across a broad geographic range in Canada. Canadian Journal of Botany 82: GOA (Government of Alberta) Ronald Lake (Bison bison) Winter Activities Progress Report. Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Halsey, L.A Hydrogeomorphic Characteristics of Patterned Fen Distribution and Chemistry on the Continental Boreal Plain. Report Prepared for the McClelland Lake Wetland Complex Sustainability Committee and Petro-Canada, Calgary, Alberta. Halsey, L.A., D.H. Vitt and S.C. Zoltai Climatic and physiographic controls on wetland type and distribution in Manitoba, Canada. Wetlands 17: Hamilton, S.G Estimating Winter Carrying Capacity for Bison in Wood Buffalo National Park. M.Sc. thesis, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Jacques Whitford-AXYS An Analysis of Existing Information on Peatland Vegetation in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Prepared for the Wetlands and Aquatics Subgroup, Reclamation Working Group, Cumulative Environmental Management Association. Fort McMurray, Alberta. Johnson, J.D., L.J. Kershaw, A. MacKinnon and J. Pojar Plants of the Western Boreal Forest and Aspen Parkland. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton, Alberta. Kuzyk, G.L., N.L. Cool, E.W. Bork, C. Bampfylde, A. Franke and R.J. Hudson Estimating economic carrying capacity for an ungulate guild in western Canada. The Open Conservation Biology Journal 3:24 35 Larter, N.C. and C.C. Gates Diet and habitat selection of wood bison in relation to seasonal change in forage quantity and quality. Canadian Journal of Zoology 69: LGL Limited Slave River Hydro Project Mammal Studies Volume 1 Final Report. Prepared for the Slave River Hydro Project Study Group. Calgary, Alberta. Luan, Z., Z. Wang, D. Yan, G. Liu and Y. Xu The ecological response of Carex lasiocarpa communities in the riparian wetlands to the environmental gradient of water depth in Sanjiang Plain, northeast China. The Scientific World Journal 2013: 1 7. McClintock, K.A. and M.J. Waterway Genetic differentiation between Carex lasiocarpa and C. pellita (Cyperaceae) in North America. American Journal of Botany 81: Moss, E.H Flora of Alberta. 2nd Edition. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario. ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-10

13 National Wetlands Working Group Wetlands of Canada. Ecological Land Classification Series No. 24, Sustainable Development Branch, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario and Polyscience Publications Inc., Montreal Quebec. Purdy, B., S.E. Macdonald and V.J. Lieffers Naturally saline boreal communities as models for reclamation of saline oil sands tailings. Restoration Ecology 13: Skilnick, J Preliminary Activities Presented to the Ronald Lake Bison Herd Technical Studies Team. Senior Wildlife Biologist, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. Fort McMurray, Alberta. Strong, W. and C.C. Gates Wood bison population recovery and forage availability in northwestern Canada. Journal of Environmental Management 90: Timoney, K.P The Peace-Athabasca Delta Portrait of a Dynamic Ecosystem. University of Alberta Press, Edmonton, Alberta. USDA NRCS (United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service) The PLANTS Database. Available at Accessed June Vitt, D.H., L.A. Halsey, M.N. Thormann and T. Martin Overview of the Peatland Resources in the Natural Regions and Subregions of Alberta. Prepared for the Alberta Peat Task Force. Includes 1:250,000 digital peatland files for the province. ESRD/CEAA Page 85a.1-11