Ecology is the distribution and abundance of organisms, interaction between individual organisms and between organisms and their environment, and the structure and function of ecosystems. Ecosystems have integrity when their native components are intact, including: physical elements, such as water and rocks; the make-up and number of species and communities; and the engines that makes ecosystem work such as fire, flooding and predation. Urban development impacts how these natural systems function.
Check out our progress towards achieving our ecology goals below.
Monitoring the share of protected areas within Red Deer as a percent of the overall urban area, including natural areas and constructed natural areas.
| 2023 Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline (2018) | 2023 Result | Target (2035) | |
| Protected areas | 8.59% | 9.25% | 14% |
| Historical Results | |
|---|---|
| Protected areas | |
| 2023 | 9.25% |
| 2022 | 9.25% |
| 2021 | 9.25% |
| 2020 | 9.25% |
| 2019 | 8.75% |
| 2018 | 8.59% |
Monitoring the intensity of synthetic herbicide use on publicly accessible lands (primarily parks, roadways, and public utility lots) owned and maintained by The City.
| 2023 Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline (2018) | 2023 Result | Target (2035) | |
| Herbicide use (kilograms per hectare) | 0.1417 kg/ha | 0.0658 kg/ha | 0.11336 kg/ha |
| Historical Results | |
|---|---|
| Herbicide use (kilograms per hectare) | |
| 2023 | 0.0658 |
| 2022 | 0.0483 |
| 2021 | 0.0868 |
| 2020 | 0.0649 |
| 2019 | 0.1162 |
| 2018 | 0.1417 |
Monitoring the percent of the tree population on City owned and managed land that is suitable for Red Deer’s urban environment and adapted to regional conditions. ‘Suitable’ is defined as being a non-invasive, native or nursery cultivated species, which are resilient to local pests and diseases and successfully adapted to the soil and local climate conditions.
| 2023 Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline (2017) | 2023 Result | Target (2035) | |
| Suitable trees | 83% | 92% | 95% |
| Historical results | |
|---|---|
| Suitable trees | |
| 2023 | 92% |
| 2022 | 91% |
| 2021 | 88% |
| 2020 | 88% |
| 2019 | 83% |
| 2018 | no report |
| 2017 | 83% |
Monitoring the percent of genetically diverse tree population on City owned and managed property. A genetically diverse urban forest is more resilient to challenges such as pests and disease.
| 2023 Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline (2017) | 2023 Result | Target (2035): not greater than | |
| Species | White spruce 16% Colorado spruce 11% |
White spruce 16% Colorado spruce 13% |
10% |
| Genus | Picea 27% | Picea 29% | 20% |
| Family | Pinaceae 35% | Pinaceae 39% | 30% |
| Historical results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Genus | Family | |
| 2023 |
White spruce 16% |
Picea 29% | Pinaceae 39% |
| 2022 |
White spruce 15% |
Picea 28% | Pinaceae 39% |
| 2021 | White spruce 15% Colorado spruce 12% |
Picea 27% | Pinaceae 37% |
| 2020 | White spruce 15% Colorado spruce 13% |
Picea 28% | Pinaceae 37% |
| 2019 | White spruce 16% Colorado spruce 11% |
Picea 27% | Pinaceae 35% |
| 2018 | no report | no report | no report |
| 2017 | White spruce 16% Colorado spruce 11% |
Picea 27% | Pinaceae 35% |
* The data presented is currently undergoing a verification process. This means the current numbers that are presented could potentially change once verification is complete.