A water storage study is underway at the University of Lethbridge, in partnership with the Government of Alberta, which will also focus on endangered species and other issues impacting southern Alberta.
Drought, habitat loss and other challenges can impact each region differently and more research is needed to better understand Alberta’s wildlife, water and ecosystems, says the Alberta government.
“A new $500,000 grant to the University of Lethbridge will help explore water storage in lakes, restoring habitat for the endangered sage-grouse and other key environmental issues impacting southern Alberta and other regions of the province. This collaborative research will help government and university researchers better understand and respond to droughts, species at risk and changes in climate.”
Alberta Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz says the grant will help better maximize and manage Alberta’s water supply, reduce emissions, recover species at risk and protect the environment in the years ahead.
The three-year research grant will help support eight collaborative research projects investigating a wide range of topics, including water storage potential of Alberta’s lakes, carbon storage and carbon sequestration potential of Alberta wetlands and terrestrial ecosystems, the impact of fire on carbon storage in Alberta peatlands and the diversity, abundance and biomass of key insects in provincially protected areas
“The research includes answering important questions about water resources and habitat management, carbon storage in landscapes, ensuring diverse and thriving insects, birds and fish populations, as well as human actions and interventions that affect water and lands,” adds U of L Vice-President of Research Dr. Dena McMartin.