Glenside Ecological Services Limited



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	The following examples are some of the recent projects that Glenside has undertaken in Canada
	Habitat Quality Assessment
	Haliburton Highlands Land Trust Synthesized multiple landcover datasets into a comprehensive dataset for the County of Haliburton Conducted data quality assessment and data enhancement through aerial photograph interpretation Assessed habitat quality through an evaluation of condition, diversity, ecological functions and special features Developed VBA script to calculate Forest Ecosite Classification based on forest composition
	Wetland Evaluations
	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources/ Ducks Unlimited Canada/ Private Landowners Conducted full and partial wetland evaluations in the County of Haliburton using the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES); Delineated wetland boundaries and identified wetland and site type; Defined the vegetation communities by vegetation form, and identified all dominant flora; Using ortho-rectified aerial photography, created a digital geographical information system (GIS) coverage to accurately calculate the spatial variables of the wetland evaluations; Delivered ArcGIS shape files of the outer wetland and inner vegetation community polygons for integration into OMNR NRVIS database.
	Species at Risk Habitat Modelling
	District Municipality of Muskoka/ Haliburton Highlands Land Trust Researched habitat preferences of 27 Species at Risk Compiled available spatial data and conducted data gap analysis Developed new wetland coverage for habitat models Developed habitat suitability models to predict probability of occurrences and scope field assessments Conducted statistical analyses to determine significance of correlations between known occurrences and habitat suitability models
	Environmental Impact Assessments/ Site Evaluation Reports/ Fish Habitat Assessments/ Peer Reviews
	Upper and Lower Tier Municipal Governments/ Private Landowners Conducted extensive floral and faunal inventories to determine the presence and relative abundance of wildlife species/groups and assessed their sensitivity to proposed development. Identified habitat functions (wildlife corridors, riparian areas, wetlands and forest interior) and key habitat features. Recommended mitigation techniques and protective measures to ensure wildlife species/groups, significant habitat and other natural functions and features were not compromised. Peer reviewed reports focusing on scientific methodology, data supported conclusions and conformation of constraints and mitigation with federal, provincial and municipal policy and ecologically sound practices.
	Species at Risk Natural Heritage Strategy
	Haliburton Highlands Land Trust/ The Land Between/OMNR Defined habitat parameters for the Species at Risk in the County of Haliburton; Conducted an analysis of existing spatial vector and rastor datasets to define gaps in the data required to delineate suitable habitat for the identified Species at Risk; Modelled wetland categorization, steep slopes, aspect and meandering rivers; and Conducted a multi-species analysis to define Species at Risk “hotspots” to allow the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust to prioritize properties for further assessment.
	Natural Heritage Mapping
	Haliburton Highlands Land Trust/ The Land Between Examined existing spatial data sets to define the extent of old growth, ecosites and shoreline development adjacent to coldwater lakes. Extracted data from the Great Lakes Conservation Blueprint to determine priority stewardship areas found in the County of Haliburton. Applied a habitat suitability matrix to define the available habitat of species at risk and landbird conservation priorities. Analyzed results to highlight natural heritage priorities and developed a checksheet for assessing properties for land acquisition and conservation efforts.
	Life Science Inventory, Clear Lake Conservation Reserve
	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Designed and conducted a life science inventory of the 1300 ha Clear Lake Conservation Reserve, with a focus on songbirds, amphibians, insects and flora (upland and wetland) Summarized and analyzed data to determine representation, condition, diversity, ecological considerations and special features Created digital maps depicting landform/vegetation associations Assessed wildlife habitat value and conducted forest ecosite classification Plotted effort graphs to assess adequacy of observer effort
	Wetland Mapping and Planning Strategy
	County of Haliburton, Ontario Representing the County of Haliburton, worked with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Ducks Unlimited Canada to accurately map all wetlands within the County. Participated in the development of a planning process strategy to direct the County in addressing development applications adjacent or within wetlands. Field tested a rapid assessment technique to predict provincial significance of wetlands
	The following projects have been selected to demonstrate the diversity of Glenside’s expertise. State of the Forest Report and Songbird Trend Analysis
	Eastern Ontario Model Forest, Ontario Assessed forest health within Eastern Ontario using previously selected indicators Utilizing Breeding Bird Survey data for species found within the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, population trend analyses were conducted and compared to Forest Bird Monitoring Program trends to assess changes in population levels over time Trend estimates were based on estimating equations and conducted through the software ESTEQN (Collins, B.T. 1998) This report was produced in cooperation with principal investigator, Lorne Johnson
	Large Mammal Monitoring Plan
	Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, Nelson, BC Developed a long-term, large mammal monitoring plan for the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Region Project included an extensive literature review and methodological recommendations; calculation of appropriate survey scheduling/intensity through the use of power analysis on sample data; presentation of detailed instructions for data collection and analysis; and development of a customized database application for both survey design and for storing, presenting and analyzing collected survey data Also developed a comprehensive system of survey study areas and survey blocks for presentation in a GIS portfolio, in cooperation with Ian Parfitt, Biogeographics. These will be used for the design and analysis of future aerial ungulate surveys
	Prairie Habitat Joint Venture Assessment Program, Alberta
	Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research, Manitoba Coordinated telemetry crew and trained staff in use of vehicle null-array systems and tracking techniques Oversaw telemetry and coordinated wetland classification data collection Trained and directed a crew of eight research technicians to systematically search the study area for waterfowl nests and monitor their hatching success Surgically implanted radio transmitters in mallard hens Coordinated a team to trap and band waterfowl using decoy-hen traps and survey predator tracks to determine relative abundance
	Freshwater Harbour Seal Study, Quebec
	University of Guelph/International Marine Mammal Association, Ontario Captured, immobilized and fitted satellite transmitters on freshwater harbour seals Sampled tissue, stomach contents and otoliths from fish Conducted a fish stomach content analysis and prepared a report
	Thick-billed Murre Study, Nunavut
	Canadian Wildlife Service, Canada Captured and banded Thick-billed Murre chicks Performed supplement feed and switch plot experiments Conducted systematic observations to determine population status, feeding rate and peak fledgling period
	Forest Fragmentation Study, Alberta
	University of British Columbia, British Columbia Performed point counts and spot maps of boreal song birds in various age/size classes of forest fragments Nest surveys and behavioural observations to assess reproductive success Surveyed and mapped grids and transect lines
	Snapping Turtle Study, Ontario
	Canadian Wildlife Service/University of Guelph, Ontario Located, measured and marked nesting female snapping turtles Collected egg samples for incubation and contaminate analysis Sampled tissue for contaminate analysis
	Spotted Owl Distribution, British Columbia
	British Columbia Conservation Foundation, British Columbia Assessed spotted owl distribution using call playback and triangulation

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