Range classification and survey tools

Overview

The ecological classification of Alberta is a hierarchical classification structure starting at a broad scale of Natural Regions, subregions, and ecosections, and is used to classify rangeland ecosystems..

Alberta plant communities are classified (in descending scale (large to small)) under:

natural regions
sub-regions
eco-sections

Forest natural regions are further subdivided by:

ecological site
ecological site phase

Grassland natural regions are further subdivided by:

range site
ecological range site

The plant community is the lowest level of classification hierarchy for both grassland and forested regions and it is the scale at which range management planning occurs.

Datasets

More information on ecological site phases or range sites is available through spatial datasets, searchable on Open Government

Derived Ecosite Phase (DEP): available on landscapes with Alberta Vegetation Inventory (AVI)
Grassland Vegetation Inventory (GVI): covers the grassland natural region
Primary Land and Vegetation Inventory: for landscapes without AVI or& GVI coverage

Survey Tools

Stocking rates
Range managers determine the number of livestock a site can support for a specific time period. This is called the stocking rate. It is a balance between:
- the livestock’s monthly forage needs
- plant production
- site ecology
The Ecologically Sustainable Stocking Rate is used to allocate grazing on Alberta's Crown rangelands. It represents the recommended number of livestock that can graze a given area for a specific time period, (expressed as an Animal Unit Month), while maintaining ecosystem health and function.

The range plant community guides describe each plant community’s unique Ecologically Sustainable Stocking Rate depending on site conditions and plant productivity. Carrying Capacity is the combined Ecologically Sustainable Stocking Rate for plant communities in a given area.
Range survey manuals
The Government of Alberta uses various survey methods to collect plant community information needed to allocate grazing on Crown rangelands. They are outlined in these documents:
- Guide to Completing the Range Management Form
- Methodology for Calculating Carrying and Grazing Capacity on Public Rangelands
- Range Inventory Manual
  Range Inventory Manual for Forest Reserve Allotments and Grazing Leases within Rocky Mountain, Foothills, Parkland and Grassland Natural Regions.

Ecological sites and community guides

Alberta is divided into 6 natural regions and 21 natural sub-regions. Ecological site and range plant community guides are available for each sub-region.

Guide	Resource
Range plant community guides	Central Mixedwood Central Parkland Dry Mixedgrass Dry Mixedwood Foothills Fescue Foothills Parkland Lower Foothills Mixedgrass Montane Northern Fescue Peace Parkland Subalpine and Alpine Upper Foothills
Ecological site guides	Athabasca Plain Boreal Subarctic Kazan Upland Lower Boreal Highlands Lower Foothills Montane Northern Mixedwood Upper Boreal Highlands Upper Foothills
Dry Mixed, Mixed, Foothills Fescue and Northern Fescue	Hard copies available for purchase from Grassland Restoration Forum
Montane, Subalpine, Foothills Parkland and Upper and Lower Foothills	Hard copies available from Rocky Mountain Forest Range Association Email: [email protected]
Guides for other natural subregions	Hard copies available from Government of Alberta. Craig Demaere – Phone: 403-627-1131

Contact

Contact the Agrologist responsible for a particular rangeland area, see:
Land Management Contacts

For general information about grazing and range management, contact:
Phone: 310-LAND (5263)

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Range classification and survey tools

Table of contents

Overview

Datasets

Survey Tools

Contact

Table of contents

Overview

Datasets

Survey Tools

Stocking rates

Range survey manuals

Ecological sites and community guides

Contact