Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019).

Forest certification and environmental impact assessment is essential to prove that sustainable development isx000D
being applied with due diligence by those using natural resources. One approach used involves a panelx000D
composed of experts covering the main relevant sectors of the natural resource concerned. These panelsx000D
proposed useful but subjective solutions leading to a lack of quantifiable/reproducible results. Anotherx000D
potential approach to produce reproducible results is the use of deterministic models. However, such modelsx000D
are complex to calibrate, validate and apply to new geographical areas. We propose to transfer a new approachx000D
for fulfilling the reporting requirements for forest certification and environmental impact assessment ofx000D
operations on natural resources: a spatial analysis framework designed to map ecosystem services (ES). Thisx000D
framework allows more quantifiable/reproducible results than expert opinion and it is more adapted to yearlyx000D
management than deterministic models. The proposed framework uses proxy variables which are calculatedx000D
from available spatial data. These proxy variables represent ecological function indicators necessary to describex000D
ES. We propose to transfer the know-how to apply the framework from UdeS to Resource Innovations (RI). RIx000D
specializes in providing solutions for a wide range of problems in forestry. The ability to apply the frameworkx000D
will provide RI with new capabilities to support sustainable management of natural resources throughx000D
environmental certification and assessment. The project includes the following deliverables for efficientx000D
technology transfer: (1) a guide describing how to implement the framework, (2) a toolkit for implementationx000D
of the framework using ESRI ArcGIS, and (3) a report on a test case: the application of the framework to thex000D
Harry's River Watershed in Newfoundland for two ES (water quality and habitat suitability). The project willx000D
support a research associate from UdeS to work at RI for about four months to allow development andx000D
technology transfer between UdeS and RI. We believe that this new approach to environmental assessment willx000D
improve reporting in support of forest certification.