GL 09-9202-50
Erin Bayne
The Ferruginous Hawk (hereafter FEHA) project in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta is a comprehensive program designed to provide scientifically credible based recommendations for the protection and recovery of this federally threatened and provincially (Alberta) endangered species. The Canadian prairie population of FEHA has experienced a population decline of 50% and a 50% range contraction. Thus, risk management
for FEHA is a priority for both industry and regulatory agencies. Alberta’s Recovery Plan and Canada’s Species At Risk Act requires critical habitat be designated and legally protected from destruction for FEHA within the next few years. Understanding the relative importance of vegetation type, prey availability, competition, predation, or anthropogenic disturbance is essential for defining critical habitat. To ensure the energy sector is prepared when critical habitat is defined, research is needed to evaluate how energy sector activities have the potential to alter critical habitat.
Policy Issue
Ecosystem (and component) responses to oil and gas activity
Knowledge Gap
Cumulative effects of oil and gas development
