Halimolobos virgata (Nutt.) O.E. Schulz (slender mouse ear cress) is a plant species at risk in the Dry Mixed Grass ecoregion of Southern Alberta. This ecoregion alone contains over 392,000 km of oil and gas pipelines. Little is known about effects disturbances such as pipelines can have on prairie plant species at risk and their critical habitat in Alberta. A set back of 300 m from species at risk is recommended for activities such as pipelines by Environment Canada. Specific scientific literature for conserving species at risk in grassland ecosystems is not readily available. This research focuses on effects of 3 year old pipeline construction and reclamation on Halimolobos virgata and its associated critical habitat on the right-of-way and varying distances from it. Soil and vegetation were assessed around individual plants and at varying distances from the centre of the pipeline to understand effects of disturbance on individual plants and their habitat. The research aims to determine the distance needed between rare plant species and pipelines to protect individuals and their critical habitat. Results can be used by resource managers to determine appropriate pipeline routes and mitigation strategies. Valuable information on the biology and response of these species to a disturbance in their habitat will contribute to recovery strategies. The research can be applied to other disturbances and habitats to aid in balancing human disturbance and environmental integrity.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.