This report utilized Canada Land Use Monitoring (CLUMP) data that was downloaded from the Geogratis website. This data are land-use classifications with 14 land-use classes. This data was projected in NAD 27 UTM Zone 12N and is at 100m resolution.
This dataset was mapped in ArcGIS to produce land-use maps of Edmonton in 1966 and 1976. Then the resulting TIF's were procuessed in Fragstats to obtain fragmentation metrics. Then I performed a Markov land cover transition matrix to analyze changes between 1966 - 1976.
The main result of this report is that woodland increased by about 5% in area around Edmonton, Canada between 1966 - 1976. An increase in total woodland area has positive implications for woodland caribou. However, it's also important to consider how well woodlands are dispersed over the landscape.
The Fragstats metrics demonstrated that core woodland increased over time, which is important for woodland caribou to forage for food and raise young. However, connectivity of woodland patches was shown to decrease over time. This should raise concern because caribou are a migratory species.
The Markov transition matrix indicated that most woodland had transition from pasture and range lands. This indicates successfull woodland regeneration. However, some woodland had been converted into cropland and urban areas, indicating that deforestation was still occurring.
