June 14 2016

#789: Beef & Biodiversity: Environmental Indicators

Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, Environment, Reclamation, Women in Science

Cattle grazing and beef production take up about 9 million hectares of land in Alberta.

Cattle contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. They can trample stream beds If not fenced.

But ranching can also support higher biodiversity, and enhance habitat for species like the burrowing owl

Dr. Danielle Maia de Souza is one of many researchers involved in a project to determine the impact beef production has on the biodiversity of plants and animals in Alberta

DR DANIELLE MAIA DE SOUZA: Our idea is that we are going to take a look at different land uses and land covers, we are going to have different measurements of biodiversity on that type of land. And also information specific from the beef industry. So to say how many heads of cattle are grazing that land? How land is being managed?. What are the natural environmental conditions of that area. For how long cattle is grazing? So as we can say, that’s the biodiversity status on that land based on those different indicators.

This project on beef and biodiversity will improve land management and further the development of an ecosystem services market for things like biodiversity, clean air and clean water.

Thanks today to Alberta Innovates

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER