Annual Land Disturbance Classification for Alberta Energy Pilot Area

Alberta Energy Regulator data classifies vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances into 9 categories. The dataset covers the Play-Based Regulation pilot area from Township 52 to 70, including towns like Edson and Whitecourt. It was created using Landsat multispectral imagery from 2008 and 2009 and related land cover classification data.

Use Cases

• Classify land cover changes like 'exposed land/cut blocks' or 'transitional bare surfaces' to quantify vegetation loss from energy infrastructure.
• Map the spatial extent of 'mixed developed areas' and 'developed areas' within the pilot region for surface impact assessment.
• Use the 9-class vegetation loss taxonomy as a baseline for monitoring vegetation recovery over time following disturbances.
• Analyze geospatial patterns of 'shrub land', 'grassland', and 'agricultural areas' to understand land use competition in the pilot zone.

Strengths

• Classification into 9 distinct land disturbance categories provides structured analysis.
• Geospatial coverage is defined by specific township and range coordinates within Alberta.

Limitations

• Dataset is derived from imagery over 15 years old (2008-2009), limiting current applicability.
• Sample size and spatial resolution of the underlying TIFF files are unknown.

Provenance

Source

Government of Alberta, likely via the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).

Collection Method

Derived from Landsat multispectral imagery and land use/land cover classification data.

Time Range

2008 to 2009.

Freshness

Metadata was updated in March 2026, but underlying imagery is from 2008-2009.

Geography

Play-Based Regulation pilot area in Alberta, Canada, from Twp. 52, Rge. 7, W 5th Mer. to Twp. 70, Rge. 5, W 6th Mer., covering towns including Edson and Whitecourt.