As part of a scientific assessment of critical habitat for boreal woodland caribou (Environment Canada 2011, see full reference in accompanying documentation), Environment Canada's Landscape Science and Technology Division was tasked with providing detailed anthropogenic disturbance mapping, across known caribou ranges, as of 2015. This data comprises a 5-year update to the mapping of 2008-2010 disturbances, and allows researchers to better understand the attributes that have a known effect on caribou population persistence. The original disturbance mapping was based on 30-metre resolution Landsat-5 imagery from 2008 -2010. The mapping process used in 2010 was repeated using 2015 Landsat imagery to create a nationally consistent, reliable and repeatable geospatial dataset that followed a common methodology. The methods developed were focused on mapping disturbances at a specific point of time, and were not designed to identify the age of disturbances, which can be of particular interest for disturbances that can be considered non-permanent, for example cutblocks. The resultant datasets were used for a caribou resource selection function (habitat modeling) and to assess overall disturbance levels on each caribou ranges. Anthropogenic disturbances within 51 caribou ranges across Canada were mapped. The ranges were defined by individual provinces and territories across Canada. Disturbances were remapped across these ranges using 2015 Landsat-8 satellite imagery to provide the most up-to-date data possible. As with the 2010 mapping project, anthropogenic disturbance was defined as any human-caused disturbance to the natural landscape that could be visually identified from Landsat imagery with 30-metre multi-band imagery at a viewing scale of 1:50,000. A minimum mapping unit MMU of 2 ha (approximately 22 contiguous 30-metre pixels) was selected. Each disturbance feature type was represented in the database by a line or polygon depending on their geometric description. Polygonal disturbances included: cutblocks, mines, reservoirs, built-up areas, well sites, agriculture, oil and gas facilities, as well as unknown features. Linear disturbances included: roads, railways, powerlines, seismic exploration lines, pipelines, dams, air strips, as well as unknown features. For each type of anthropogenic disturbance, a clear description was established (see Appendix 7.2 of the science assessment) to maintain consistency in identifying the various disturbances in the imagery by the different interpreters. Features were only digitized if they were visible in the Landsat imagery at the prescribed viewing scale. A 2nd interpreter quality-control phase was carried out to ensure high quality, complete and consistent data collection. For this 2015 update an additional, separate higher-resolution database was created by repeating the process using 15-metre panchromatic imagery. For the 30-metre database only, the line and poly data were buffered by a 500-metre radius, representing their extended zone of impact upon boreal caribou herds. Additionally, forest fire polygons were merged into the anthropogenic footprint in order to create an overall disturbance footprint. These buffered datasets were used in the calculation of range disturbance levels and for integrated risk assessment analysis.

As part of a scientific assessment of critical habitat for boreal woodland caribou (Environment Canada 2011, see full reference in accompanying documentation), Environment Canada's Landscape Science and Technology Division was tasked with providing detailed anthropogenic disturbance mapping, across known caribou ranges, as of 2010. The attached dataset comprises the second 5-year update (first one in 2015) bringing the data up to 2020.The original disturbance mapping was based on 30-metre resolution Landsat-5 imagery from 2008-2010. Since then, anthropogenic disturbances within 51 caribou ranges across Canada were remapped every five years to create a nationally consistent, reliable and repeatable geospatial dataset that followed a common methodology. The ranges were defined by individual provinces and territories across Canada. The methods developed were focused on mapping disturbances at a specific point of time, and were not designed to identify the age of disturbances, which can be of particular interest for disturbances that can be considered non-permanent, for example cutblocks. The resultant datasets were used for a caribou resource selection function (habitat modeling) and to assess overall disturbance levels on each caribou ranges. As with the 2010 mapping project, anthropogenic disturbance was defined as any human-caused disturbance to the natural landscape that could be visually identified from Landsat 30-metre multi-band imagery at a viewing scale of 1:50,000. The same concept was followed for the 2015 and 2020 disturbance mapping and any additional disturbance features that were observed since the original mapping date, were added. The 2015 database was used as a starting point for the 2020 database. Unlike the previous iteration, features were not removed in the mapping process which was a decision made in the name of time. Interpretation was carried out based on the most recent cloud free imagery available up to mid fall for a given year. Each disturbance feature type was represented in the database by a line or polygon depending on their geometric description. Linear disturbances included: roads, railways, powerlines, seismic exploration lines, pipelines, dams, air strips, as well as unknown features. Polygonal disturbances included: cutblocks, harvest (added in 2020), mines, built-up areas, well sites, agriculture, oil and gas facilities, as well as unknown features. For each type of anthropogenic disturbance, a clear description was established (see Appendix 7.2 of the science assessment) to maintain consistency in identifying the various disturbances in the imagery by the different interpreters. Features were only digitized if they were clearly visible in the Landsat imagery at the prescribed viewing scale. In comparison to the previous mapping protocol, one enhancement to the mapping process in 2020 was the addition of CFS harvest polygons (Ref: NRCan-CFS NTEMS; Wulder 2020) into the database prior to interpretation. This considerably reduced the digitizing time for polygons and accelerated the data collection process. The CFS harvest polygons were checked before inclusion, removing some which had been generated erroneously in their process.A 2nd interpreter quality-control phase was carried out to ensure high quality, complete and consistent data collection. Subsequently, the vector data of individual linear and polygonal disturbances were buffered by a 500-metre radius, representing their extended zone of impact upon boreal caribou herds. Additionally, forest fire polygons for the past forty years (CNFDB 1981-2020) were merged into the buffered anthropogenic footprint in order to create an overall disturbance footprint. These buffered datasets were used in the calculation of range disturbance levels and for integrated risk assessment analysis.

The Natural Disturbance Type map is based on the Provincial Biodiversity Guidebook (1995) and the current and most detailed version of the approved corporate provincial Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) Zone/Subzone/Variant/Phase map (version 12, September 2, 2021) (Data Catalog record: https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/bec-map). The natural disturbance type classification code is used to designate a period process or event such as insect outbreaks, fire, disease, flooding, windstorms and avalanches that cause ecosystem change and renewal. Natural disturbance type classification and mapping is used for a wide variety of applications in British Columbia. A few examples include: delineation of Natural Disturbance Types for Landscape Unit Planning; delineation of Seed Planning Zones; as an input for Predictive Ecosystem Mapping; reporting on the ecological representation of the Protected Areas Strategy; and as a level in the classification hierarchy for Broad Ecosystem Units. Note that this mapping is deliberately extended across the ocean, lakes, glaciers, etc to facilitate intersection with a terrestrial landcover layer of your choice

The excessive input of nitrogen derived from human land-use activities remains a major cause of the eutrophication of coastal ecosystems around the world. However, little data exist on rates of nutrient pollution or its potential impacts to coastal ecosystems in Atlantic Canada. To fill this knowledge gap, a Nitrogen Loading Model (NLM) framework was applied to determine the Total Nitrogen Load (kg TN / yr) from point and non-point source inputs (wastewater, atmospheric deposition, land use, fertilizer applications, and regional industries) in 109 coastal watersheds bordering the Bay of Fundy and Scotian Shelf. To evaluate the potential impact of nitrogen loading, two indicators were calculated for 40 coastal embayments: (1) ∆N, a measure of nitrogen residency that predicts dissolved oxygen problems; and (2) the estuary loading rate, a predictor of the potential for loss of submerged aquatic vegetation. This project was funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada through a Strategic Program for Ecosystem-based Research and Advice (SPERA) grant. This research has been published in the scientific literature (Kelly et al. 2021). Kelly, N.E., Guijarro-Sabaniel, J. and Zimmerman, R., 2021. Anthropogenic nitrogen loading and risk of eutrophication in the coastal zone of Atlantic Canada. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 263, p.107630. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107630Cite this data as: Kelly, N.E., Guijarro-Sabaniel, J. and Zimmerman, R. Data of: Estimates of anthropogenic nitrogen loading and eutrophication indicators for the Bay of Fundy and Scotian Shelf. Published: February 2022. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/08746031-1970-4bf6-b6d4-3de2715c8634

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has conducted a cumulative human impact mapping analysis for Pacific Canada to support ongoing Marine Spatial Planning. Cumulative impact mapping (CIM) combines spatial information on human activities, habitats, and a matrix of vulnerability weights into an intuitive relative ‘cumulative impact score’ that shows where cumulative human impacts are greatest and least. To map cumulative impacts, a recently developed ecosystem vulnerability assessment for Pacific Canadian waters (Murray et al. 2022) was combined with spatial information on thirty-eight (38) different habitat types and forty-five (45) human activities following the methodology from Halpern et al.(2008) and Murray et al. (2015). The cumulative impact map is provided in a 1x1 km grid used for oceans management by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. For further information, please contact the data provider.

This data shows anthropogenic polygon disturbance features. Features were digitized using high resolution satellite imagery and orthophotos. The following data was not included in the dataset: proposed features.Table 1. A list of attributes, associated domains, and descriptions.AttributeData TypeDomainsDescriptionREF_IDText (20) Unique feature reference IDDATABASEText (20)Historic, Most Recent, RetiredSub-database to which the feature belongsTYPE_INDUSTRYText (50)Table 2.3.2Major classification of disturbance feature by industryTYPE_DISTURBANCEText (50)Table 2.3.2Sub classification of disturbance featureSCALE_CAPTUREDLong Scale at which the feature was digitizedDATA_SOURCEText (10)Imagery, GPS, OtherData source: digitized from imagery, captured by GPS, or obtained by other meansIMAGE_NAMEText (100) Filename of source imageryIMAGE_DATEDate Date that imagery was captured (YYYYMMDD)IMAGE_RESOLUTIONDouble Resolution of source imagery in metersIMAGE_SENSORText (35) Name of sensor that captured source imageryTable 2. A list of disturbance feature types and their descriptions.TYPE_INDUSTRYTYPE_DISTURBANCEDESCRIPTIONAgricultureAgricultureFarms, ranches, or other agricultural areasForestryForestryCut blocks or other forestry related activitiesMiningBuildingA building footprint or the building and the surrounding land related to mining activities.Drill PadDrill pad features related to mineral exploration activitiesFuel CacheRemote caches of fuel allowing for mineral exploration activities (will often have fuel tanks and barrels)Gravel Pit / QuarryPit or quarry for mining gravel or aggregateLaydown areaAreas used to store materials and equipment for mining operationsMiningMiscellaneous or unknown mining activitiesPlacer Mining - MinorPlacer mining area with little disturbancePlacer Mining - SignificantPlacer mining area with greater disturbanceQuartz Mining - MinorQuartz mining area with little disturbanceQuartz Mining - SignificantQuartz mining area with greater disturbanceTailing PondTailing pond associated with mining activityCampMining campOil and GasWell PadCleared area surrounding oil or gas wellRuralCampAny camp outside of mining areas, including fishing/hunting camps, ENV conservation officer cabins/camps, outfitters, etc.HomesteadRural dwelling and associated landTransportationAirstripAirport or AirstripClearingClearings that are related to transportation but could not be clearly attributed as a turn area, pullout, road cut and fill, etc.Gravel Pit / QuarryGravel pits related to transportationPullout / Turn AreaAn area associated with transportation and is intended as a vehicle pullout or turn areaRoad Cut and FillCut slopes and moved earth for road construction purposesUnknownClearingA tract of land devoid (or nearly devoid) of natural land cover and suspected to be anthropogenic in natureGravel Pit / QuarryA gravel pit with unknown related industryUnknownUnable to identify from imagery, but suspected to be anthropogenicUrbanBuildingVisible building or structureCemeteryCemeteryClearingMiscellaneous urban clearingsCul-de-sac / Turn AreaA turn area associated with transportation or road cul-de-sacDamBarrier impounding water or streamGolf CourseRecreational golfing areaIndustrialAreas that are designated for industrial uses: factories, tank farm, transportation areaInstitutionalAny institutional buildings and immediate cleared area: School, government, etc.LandfillSite used for disposal of waste materialsPondStanding body of water, created anthropogenically; includes sewage lagoons, wastewater facilities, and artificial bodies of water.Recreation AreaVisible disturbance in Urban / Rural parks and recreation areasRural ResidentialLand use in which housing predominates in an urban or community settingTowerA tall structure, possibly used for communications or forestryUrbanMiscellaneous or unknown urban features Distributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/en/statistics-and-data/mapping/explore-map-data-using-geoyukon) by the [Government of Yukon](https://yukon.ca/) . Discover more digital map data and interactive maps from Yukon's digital [map](https://yukon.ca:443/en/maps) data collection.For more information: [geomatics.help@yukon.ca](mailto:geomatics.help@yukon.ca)      

An opening's disturbance and silviculture activities reported into RESULTS. Most activities are within opening boundaries with the exception of broadcast treatments. An opening may have more than one activities associated with it. Activities may also overlap each other. Reporting of disturbance and silviculture attribute information is a mandatory requirement while the map is optional. This is part of the Silviculture and Land status Tracking dataset, which includes tracking harvesting and silviculture obligations on Crown Land

The area of Crown land disturbance for applications falling within a Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) road allowance. The BC Energy Regulator issues cutting permits for any new Crown land disturbance within MOTI unconstructed road allowances. The Regulator does not issue land tenure over MOTI right of ways. This dataset contains polygon features for proposed applications collected through the Regulator's Application Management System (AMS). This dataset is updated nightly.

High resolution forest change for Canada (Binary Change/No-change) 1985-2011The forest change data included in this product is national in scope (entire forested ecosystem) and represents the first wall-to-wall characterization of wildfire and harvest in Canada at a spatial resolution commensurate with human impacts. The information outcomes represent 27 years of stand replacing change in Canada’s forests, derived from a single, consistent spatially-explicit data source, derived in a fully automated manner. This demonstrated capacity to characterize forests at a resolution that captures human impacts is key to establishing a baseline for detailed monitoring of forested ecosystems from management and science perspectives. Time series of Landsat data were used to characterize national trends in stand replacing forest disturbances caused by wildfire and harvest for the period 1985–2011 for Canada's 650 million hectare forested ecosystems (https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0034425717301360 ). Landsat data has a 30m spatial resolution, so the change information is highly detailed and is commensurate with that of human impacts. These data represent annual stand replacing forest changes. The stand replacing disturbances types labeled are wildfire and harvest, with lower confidence wildfire and harvest, also shared. The distinction and sharing of lower class membership likelihoods is to indicate to users that some change events were more difficult to allocate to a change type, but are generally found to be in the correct category. For an overview on the data, image processing, and time series change detection methods applied, as well as information on independent accuracy assessment of the data, see Hermosilla et al. (2016; http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17538947.2016.1187673).The data available is, 1. a binary change/no-change; 2. Change year; and, 3. Change type. When using this data, please cite as: White, J.C., M.A. Wulder, T. Hermosilla, N.C. Coops, and G. Hobart. (2017). A nationwide annual characterization of 25 years of forest disturbance and recovery for Canada using Landsat time series. Remote Sensing of Environment. 192: 303-321. DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2017.03.035. https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0034425717301360Geographic extent: Canada's forested ecosystems (~ 650 Mha)Time period: 1985–2011

This dataset shows the locations of ignition points for forest fires less than 40 hectares in size. Fires that grow larger than 40 hectares are mapped in the [Fire Disturbance Area](https://data.ontario.ca/dataset/fire-disturbance-area-firedstb) dataset. The [Forest Fire Info Map](https://www.gisapplication.lrc.gov.on.ca/ForestFireInformationMap/index.html?viewer=FFIM.FFIM&locale=en-US) shows active fires, current fire danger and restricted fire zones in place due to high fire danger.