Abstract

Historical Wetland Classification: Monitoring Wetlands in the Canadian Oil Sands
Track: Environmental Management
Authors: Sarah Kohlsmith, Erin Baird

The McClelland Wetland complex in NE Alberta is important to both Oil and Gas companies and environmentalists alike. This unique wetland is composed of over 50% fen vegetation. Establishing a better understanding of this area provides more information to decision makers. Using ESRI technology, a time series of wetland extents and landcover composition were classified from Landsat 5TM and Landsat MSS 1 imagery. This was done using ArcMap Spatial Analyst's Unsupervised Classification tools. The use of classification for this study was enhanced by the unique wetland type. Being a fen, the water levels are at or near the peat surface. This allows the characteristic vegetation to play a role in classifying the imagery. The results of this study may be used to guide long term planning for future reclamation of the wetland post Oil Sands mining activities.