Analyzing natural area sensitivity thresholds for humans and species diversity in Alberta’s Capital City

The Edmonton Valley Zoo is passionate about the natural world and is always looking to find ways to promote environmental responsibility and support wildlife research that benefits both people and wildlife. Our Conservation team works to conserve species in the wild through endangered species breeding programs, by providing support for in-situ wildlife conservation research work, and inspiring action by our visitors to protect habitat and wildlife. As a large Municipally run conservation facility located within Edmonton’s river valley – North America’s largest contiguous park – we are working to support urban wildlife research with a focus on improving our ability to steward Edmonton’s natural areas system of which the river valley is its key wildlife corridor. This project will analyse noise sensitivity thresholds in Edmonton’s natural areas system with a focus on understanding how noise pollutants affect urban wildlife species diversity. In addition to sharing these learnings with as many of our 350,000 visitors/year that we educate about local wildlife and habitat conservation, this project will also provide opportunities for City of Edmonton staff to engage in wildlife research, and enhance the organization’s ability to partner with, and learn from, Alberta’s premier biodiversity research organization, the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (Biodiversity Pathways / SENSR). This project also aligns with the City of Edmonton’s City Building Outcome to “expand and improve access to its natural systems and open spaces in support of biodiversity and the health and enjoyment of all Edmontonians.

Faculty Supervisor:

Erin Bayne;Robert Summers

Student:

Partner:

Edmonton Valley Zoo

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Public administration

University:

University of Alberta

Program: