All posts in Biodiversity

New interactive status of biodiversity report for northwestern Alberta

We’re pleased to welcome a new addition to our growing family of interactive online biodiversity reports. Status of Land Cover and Biodiversity in Norbord Inc.’s Operating Areas examines the status of species, habitat, and human footprint in regions of northwestern Alberta. It gives a snapshot of the current state of land cover and biodiversity in [...]

It’s time to be a winter wildlife detective again!

If winter cabin fever is catching up to you, maybe it’s time to head outdoors and catch up with the surprisingly busy world of winter wildlife. Once again, NatureLynx and The Nature Conservancy of Canada are challenging Albertans to get outside February 11–27 and join the 2022 Hands-on Alberta winter tracking mission. Will you accept [...]

Join us for an a-moss-ing webinar!

Mosses are easily overlooked, but they’re hugely important to Alberta’s ecosystems. From filtering water and serving as food and habitat to better-known species, to maintaining soil and—in some places—even outstripping the primary productivity of the forest canopy far above, these tiny, unsung plants are full of surprises. On November 3rd @ noon Mountain Time, join [...]

Taking it littoral-y: Untangling what shapes Alberta’s boreal wetland plant communities

The ABMI is happy to continue its regular feature in BIOS, the newsletter of the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists. The following post is adapted from a version that originally appeared in the Autumn 2021 issue. Here at the ABMI, we spend a lot of time thinking and talking about biodiversity. It is, after all, [...]

Join us for a mite-y webinar!

ABMI acarologist—that’s someone who studies mites and ticks—Dr. Lisa Lumley presented Mites in Alberta as part of our It’s Our Nature to Know webinar series. Lisa outlined the ABMI’s mite research, and why collecting data on mites in the province is important to Albertans and helps to support land-use decision making. “Oribatid mites are the [...]

Runner-up Stories from the “What Does Biodiversity Mean to You?“ Essay Contest

In 2020, Alberta Views Magazine and the ABMI partnered for the “What Does Biodiversity Mean to You” Essay Contest. The ABMI is a proud sponsor of this competition and we hope it fosters further conversation about how Albertans view and engage with biodiversity. Please note that the views of the authors are their own and [...]

Explore the wondrous world of Alberta’s lichens

On June 29, ABMI lichenologist Dr. Diane Haughland presented Lichens of Alberta, the second in our It’s Our Nature to Know webinar series. Diane studies the taxonomy and ecology of Alberta’s lichens, and her team is responsible for identifying thousands of lichens from across the province each year to help track changes in Alberta’s biodiversity. [...]

Be a winter wildlife detective with NatureLynx and the Nature Conservancy of Canada

Looking for a reason to lose the sweatpants and get outside this winter? Why not try being a winter wildlife detective?? The Nature Conservancy of Canada and NatureLynx are challenging Albertans to get outside January 15–30 with the 2021 Hands-on Alberta winter tracking mission. We hope you’ll join us! Many of Alberta’s animal species stay [...]