Scientists use 'eyes in the sky' to monitor Alberta forests
by The Canadian Press
Information will be used to help plan future development in areas with threatened wildlife populations
EDMONTON—An ambitious three-year research project is using “eyes in the sky” to see what impact energy and forestry industries are having on northern Alberta.
Biologist Gordon Stenhouse says the project is likely to give the best picture ever produced of how extensive industrial development is affecting caribou, grizzlies and wolves.
It will also produce the first data on how snowmobilers and off-roaders are using cutlines and lease roads.
Stenhouse, from the University of Saskatchewan, is combining high-resolution satellite images with information from industry.
He says that should result in maps of unprecedented detail.
Stenhouse says the information will be used to help plan future development in areas with threatened wildlife populations and which are increasingly used by people and industry.
