Core knowledge areas: Soil chemistry Soil physics Soil microbiology and biochemistry Inorganic and organic chemistry Surface and subsurface hydrology Hydrogeology Activities: Assess environmental sites, including site history review Contaminant delineation and characterization Conduct risk assessments Develop and implement remediation plans Monitor soil, surface water and groundwater Report to regulatory authorities
Group Archives: Environment
Ecological land classification and mapping
Core knowledge areas: Vegetation ecology Landscape pedology Soil and vegetation taxonomy Activities are often conducted along with baseline studies for environmental impact assessment Activities: Field surveys for ecosite evaluation Soil profile classification Ecosite mapping Determine soil nutrient and moisture regimes Interpret aerial photographs
Environmental impact assessment and mitigation planning
Multi-disciplinary in nature Typically involves work with large teams with a broad range of expertise Activities: Document baseline environmental conditions Assess potential project effects as well as cumulative effects on the environment Provide strategies on how to minimize or eliminate these effects Offer regulatory authorities the ability to make informed decisions about proposed industrial developments […]
Environmental management systems and audits
Focuses on the development, implementation, management, monitoring and auditing of a systematic documented environmental protection system for a particular organization Activities: Identify potential environmental impacts related to an organization’s day-to-day functions Develop environmental protection goals and objectives Develop and implement strategies Monitor compliance Auditing Training programs for staff
Environmental monitoring technology
Involves monitoring environmental media to determine compliance with regulatory requirements associated with permitting and licensing of existing industrial, commercial, and municipal operations Environmental monitoring may be part of baseline data collection for proposed developments – baseline data may be part of a larger environmental impact assessment Requires education and training related to sampling of water, […]
Land reclamation restoration planning and management
Involves improving land that has been disturbed by various agricultural, industrial or municipal activities Agrology professionals in this area: Understand how soil, vegetation and water interact at a landscape scale Aim to return land to its pre-disturbance condition Manage the structure and function of land, ensuring that the ecosystem is restored
Natural resource economics
Focuses on the supply, demand and allocation of natural resources within the greater economy Involves the ways in which ecological constraints influence economic activity Activities: Assess environmental impacts Develop policies Conduct feasibility studies
Soil and land conservation
Core knowledge areas: Soil science Landscape pedology Agronomy Vegetation Ecology Activities: Conduct biophysical inventories for soil salvage and conservation operations Develop soil replacement plans Develop site reclamation plans Prepare conservation and reclamation reports as may be required by legislation
Soil and terrain classification and mapping
Core knowledge areas: Landscape pedology Surficial geology Surface and subsurface hydrology Vegetation Ecology Activities: Take biophysical inventories of soil resources for environmental baseline studies and impact assessments Interpret aerial photography Model soil and terrain relationships and documentation of these relationships for land evaluation purposes Determine soil sensitivity to acid deposition Evaluate soil and land capability […]
Vegetation identification, assessment and management
Core knowledge areas: Botany Vegetation ecology Activities: Conduct field surveys for vascular and non-vascular plants Conduct rare plant surveys Determine mitigation plans for environmental impact assessments Monitor vegetation Assess reclaimed sites