This dataset defines the ecological areas of Alberta known as the Natural Regions and Natural Subregions, as defined in 2004/2005. This dataset is intended to allow for the stratification of the province of Alberta based on ecological criteria. Natural Regions are the largest mapped ecological units in Alberta's classification system. They are defined geographically on the basis of landscape patterns, notably vegetation, soils and physiographic features. Natural Subregions are subdivisions of a Natural Region, generally characterized by vegetation, climate, elevation, and latitudinal or physiographic differences within a given Region.The intended scale of use of this product is 1:250 000. This version is 2005 Final. Linework changes from the previous Natural Subregion delineation are due both to better information and refined subregion definitions. Note that the Athabasca Plain subregion has been moved into the Boreal Natural Region and that the Boreal Highlands has now been split into Lower and Upper. There is an accompanying report, published 2006: https://albertaparks.ca/media/2942026/nrsrcomplete_may_06.pdf

The Central Parkland Vegetation Inventory (CPVI) Polygons is a dataset that was created to capture vegetation information for the Central (Aspen) Parkland Natural Subregion in Alberta. The Parkland Natural Region covers approximately 10% of the province and acts as a broad transitional area between the dry grasslands and the moist boreal forest. This region is characterized by productive soils, moisture levels and climatic conditions conducive to agriculture. The vegetation cover is a mosaic of aspen woodlands, wetlands, fescue grassland and riparian areas. The Central Parkland Natural Subregion is located in east-central Alberta. Other parkland subregions are located in the Foothills and the Peace River areas. The Central Parkland Vegetation Inventory (CPVI) Polygons is designed to be a vegetation / land use database for the Central Parkland Natural Subregion.

This dataset is used is used to determine the significance or status of wetland classes and certain other natural heritage features. It is also used to set targets for Wilderness Class Provincial parks, State of the Forest reporting and to study natural disturbance regimes.

Anthropogenic and natural constraints of the revised land use and development plan of the City of Laval.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Anthropogenic and natural constraints of the revised land use and development plan of the City of Laval.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Anthropogenic and natural constraints” of the revised land use and development plan of the City of Laval**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Anthropogenic and natural constraints of the revised land use and development plan of the City of Laval.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Hydrogeological Regions provide a framework to introduce the regional hydrogeology of Canada and to connect apparently disparate studies into a broader framework. The hydrological regions are first order areas used to capture and summarize data that will help develop more detailed profiles of each region. Comparison of findings within and between regions will allow scalable extension to sub-regional and watershed scale mapping.Canada has been classified into nine principal hydrogeological regions. Each region is described briefly based on the following five hydrogeological characteristics (Heath, 1984):system components and geometry;water-bearing openings;rock matrix composition;storage and transmission;recharge/ discharge.The hydrogeological classification emphasizes major geological provinces and rock formations. Fundamental water-bearing openings and rock matrix properties help determine the quantity (storage), flux (transmission), and composition of formation waters. These same properties and any overlying sediment cover affect recharge/ discharge rates for regional formations. While regional attributes are general, a simple aquifer mapping scheme can further describe the nature and character of aquifers in each region. For example, general groundwater settings across the country could be described as has been done by USGS principal aquifers [1]. Thus the regional framework can potentially link from national scales to watershed scales by identifying typical aquifer types based on readily available geological maps that use water-bearing character as a common attribute.The nine hydrogeological regions include:CordilleraMountains with thin sediment over fractured sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks of Precambrian to Cenozoic age. Intermontane valleys are underlain by glacial and alluvial deposits of Pleistocene age.Plains (Western Sedimentary Basin)Region-wide basin of sub-horizontal Paleozoic to Cenozoic sedimentary rocks are overlain by thick glacial deposits filling buried valleys. Incised post-glacial valleys provide local relief. Shallow gas, coal, and brines may occur.Canadian ShieldUndulating region of thin glacial sediment overlying complex deformed, fractured PreCambrian igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Region contains several terrains: sedimentary basins, structural belts, and glacial-lacustrine basins.Hudson Bay (Moose River) BasinSedimentary basin of Paleozoic to Mesozoic sub horizontal carbonate and clastic sediment covered by surficial deposits, with low relief and poor drainage.Southern OntarioEastern Great Lakes region is underlain by gently-dipping Paleozoic, carbonate, clastic and gypsum-salt strata overlain by glacial sediments up to 200 m thick with tunnel valleys. Karst, bedrock valleys, shallow gas and brines are also important components.St. Lawrence LowlandsLowlands underlain by shallow-dipping Paleozoic sedimentary rocks and thick glacial sediment in glacial-marine basins. Appalachian and Precambrian uplands discharge water to valleys. Shallow gas and saltwater intrusion are possible.AppalachiaUpland to mountainous region with thin surficial sediment on folded Paleozoic sedimentary and igneous rocks. Range of rock types yields a wide range of water compositions. Valleys contain important alluvial aquifers.Maritimes BasinLowlands with flat-lying, Carboniferous clastic , salt, and gypsum rocks contain shallow coal deposits. Surface glacial sediment is thin and discontinuous. Salt water intrusion is possible.PermafrostArctic islands and most areas north of 60o contain frozen ground affects on groundwater flow. Diverse topography and geology define sub-regions of sedimentary basins and crystalline rocks. Glacial sediment is thin, discontinuous; local peat accumulations are significant.

The spatial representation for a Natural Resource (NR) Region, that is an administrative area established by the Ministry, within NR Areas. These boundaries are designated by the Lieutenant Governor in council and published as regulations which establishes the Ministry's management areas. This dataset supersedes WHSE_ADMIN_BOUNDARIES.FADM_REGION

The Native Prairie Vegetation Inventory (NPVI) Polygons is a quarter section-based vegetation inventory that covers the southern part of Alberta. The native prairie is defined in the Native Prairie Conservation Action Plan as an area of unbroken grassland or parkland dominated by non-introduced species, and an area of previously broken grassland that has reverted back to natural vegetation (30 to 60 years). The Native Prairie Vegetation Inventory extends beyond the Grasslands Natural Region to include data for adjacent areas, such as the Cypress Hills. In addition to the Grassland Natural Region, the Native Prairie Vegetation Inventory (NPVI) Polygons include areas that belong to the Foothills Parkland, Central Parkland, Montane, Dry Mixedwood Boreal and Lower Foothills Natural Subregions.