Vegetation indicators of terrain conditions in southern Saskatchewan

• Main Author: Wilson, Edward Alexander
• Other Authors: Sauer, E. K.
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: University of Saskatchewan 2011
• Online Access: http://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-11082011-093612/

Geotechnical engineers have been using vegetation indicators of terrain conditions for engineering purposes in southern Saskatchewan. This terrain evaluation technique was based on empirical observations and there was a need for a formal investigation of the characteristics of vegetation indicators. This project undertook this formal investigation.<p> Documented information pertaining to vegetation-terrain relationships was consolidated from publications in botany, plant ecology, plant physiology, geobotany and geology. This information is presented to provide a basic understanding of the characteristics of vegetation indicators. Subsequently, a field study area was selected on the North Saskatchewan River near Langham, Saskatchewan, in order to study the characteristics of vegetation-terrain relationships and to assess the applicability of vegetation indicators of terrain conditions for engineer in purposes in southern Saskatchewan.<p> Field investigations sought to describe the total physical environment of the study area. These investigations involved aerial photography using several formats, terrain evaluation, geodetic surveying, subsurface investigations, ground-water studies, climatic studies and vegetation studies. The result of the investigations was a description of the study area in terms of geomorphology, stratigraphy, ground-water regime, climate and vegetation. The correlation between vegetation and environment was then analyzed. As a result of this analysis, vegetation indicators of terrain conditions are recommended as a complimentary technique to traditional forms of evaluating the physical environment for engineering purposes in southern Saskatchewan.