The ABMI is dynamic with something new always in the mix. The following programs are how we work to monitor biodiversity across the province. As the ABMI continues to develop novel biodiversity monitoring protocols and programs, there may be alternative tasks assigned to crews where we require crews to adapt to the work assigned to them. Our three main biodiversity data collection programs are detailed below:

Our Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program collects data at 1,656 randomly selected sites spaced every 20 km across the entire province. These include remote boreal forests, alpine meadows, and agricultural fields. Field technologists collect data on terrestrial and wetland biodiversity on public, private, industrial, and protected lands.

Spring protocols are completed at all terrestrial sites in May and June. Spring protocols include:

• Soil core collection for mite and soil chemistry analysis
• Bryophyte and lichen collection
• Downed woody material measurements
• Forest stand measurements
• Site photograph collection
• Pollinator trap deployment

In July, crews are split into Terrestrial and Aquatic crews. Terrestrial crews re-visit spring sites while Aquatic crews visit wetlands.

Terrestrial crews collect a variety of additional data during this summer site visit (note that “terrestrial site” does not necessarily mean “dry site”!). Terrestrial summer protocols include:

• Vascular plant surveys
• Tree core collection and canopy cover measurements
• Bird and mammal monitoring via trail camera & autonomous recording units (ARU)
• Ecosite classification
• Pollinator trap retrieval

Aquatic crews visit wetlands across the province conducting a variety of wetland-specific protocols, several of which are done by inflatable kayak. These protocols include:

• Vascular plant surveys
• Water physio-chemistry analysis
• Aquatic invertebrate collection
• Wetland zone mapping
• Bathymetric mapping

The ABMI plays a significant role in the Oil Sands Biodiversity Monitoring Program where we work with partner organizations to complete field work across the Oil Sands Region (OSR) and in other disturbed
areas of Alberta. This program is designed to monitor the impacts of human and industrial disturbances on our environment and species of interest across a wide range of taxa.

Since it’s commencement in 2021, this program continues to evolve. Crews placed in this program can expect to collect various field data contributing to protocols such as:

• Vascular plant surveys
• Wetland monitoring and mapping
• Caribou habitat monitoring
• Bird and Mammal Monitoring via Trail Camera & Autonomous Recording Units (ARU)