5.0 Study Area

A study area is a unique research, inventory or monitoring area (spatial boundary) within a project. There may be multiple study areas within a single project. Several factors may influence the spatial extent of the study area, including the Survey Objectives, landscape features (e.g., habitat type, land uses, etc.), the biology of the Target Species’ (e.g., dispersal ability, habitat preferences, etc.) and proposed method(s) of data analysis.

5.1 Study Area Name

A unique alphanumeric identifier for each study area (e.g.,”oilsands_ref1”). If only one area was surveyed, the Project Name and Study Area Name should be the same.

5.2 Study Area Description

A description for each unique research or monitoring area including its location, habitat type(s), land use(s) and habitat disturbances (where applicable).

For example: “Located in the SE corner of Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park in Boreal Highlands subregion. Bogs, pine, aspen and birch forest. No land use disturbance.