Studies have revealed that soil and all of the complex systems that exist within the soil are being altered by our changing climate. This, in turn, is affecting our ability to grow crops and provide food security for our growing populations. 

Join the Alberta Land Institute for the first ever live episode of the Land Use Podcast where postdoctoral researcher, Yuge Bai, will discuss how biochar may be able to improve soil health in Alberta under future climate conditions.

For more information check out these resources:

Soil Health: Policy, Science, and Law in Action: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/alberta-land-institute/research/soil-health-policy-science-and-law-in-action.html

Climate Change and Soil Dynamics: Effects on Soil Microbes and Fertility of Soil:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128164839000037

Evaluation of the Use of Sewage Sludge Biochar as a Soil Amendment—A Review: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/9/5309

Soil Health, Biochar and the Changing Climate with Yuge Bai

If you have owned or stayed at a cabin or lake house anywhere in the province, chances are you’ve visited one of Alberta most unique municipalities, the summer village. Due to their small and impermanent populations, these communities face unique land use and planning challenges. 

Join professional planner, Craig Thomas, to learn more about planning challenges in summer villages.

For more information check out these resources:

Rights intrusion and land use planning inequalities in Alberta’s summer villages: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02697459.2024.2358280

Municipal Boundary Battles: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/alberta-land-institute/research/municipal-annexations-in-alberta-good-bad-or-inevitable.html

Land Use Planning Challenges in Alberta’s Summer Villages with Craig Thomas

Forest fires, drought and flooding are among the many climate impacts experienced by communities all across Alberta. Local planners face the constant challenge of creating effective adaptation strategies, but when should communities consider relocation and how do we plan for it?

For more information check out these resources:

Local planning for climate induced relocation: A systematic review https://tinyurl.com/reloctnali

Understanding risk communication in Alberta’s municipalities: https://tinyurl.com/riskcomali

Planning for Climate Induced Relocation with Nicole Bonnett

Ecosystems provide numerous benefits to the health and wellbeing of our communities and the planet. How do perceptions of ecosystems and their benefits influence urban development?

For more information check out these resources:

The influence of ecosystem service values on green infrastructure and urban development: insights from 5 Canadian municipalities https://tinyurl.com/ecosysvalues

The application of property rights in ecosystem service markets: https://tinyurl.com/ecosysproprights

Ecosystem Service Values in Urban Development with Nicklas Baran

Suburban areas have large amounts of green space and concrete that contribute to urban heat island effects. Find out the benefits of transforming these spaces into ecosystems for native pollinators!

Join Oscar Zapata and Ana Hidalgo to learn about ecosystem services from native pollinator gardens!

For more information check out these resources:

Transforming suburban areas: A marketplace for urban ecosystem services 
https://tinyurl.com/nativpollgardens

Pollinator plants catalogue - Native species in the Prairies: https://research-groups.usask.ca/urban-ecoservices/documents/pollinators-catalogue.pdf

Native Pollinator Gardens as Suburban Ecosystems with Oscar Zapata and Ana Hidalgo

The Land Use Podcast is your home to discussion on a wide range of land use issues affecting public policy. If you're a landowner, planner, public official, conservationist, or involved in industry, we're a home for you! We are the Alberta Land Institute and based out of the University of Alberta.

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