Urban Biodiversity | Myotis Lens

Mapping Urban Biodiversity for Climate-Resilient Cities

Join Us in Supporting Urban Biodiversity

Explore Lethbridge’s parks and green spaces while documenting the city’s diverse flora and fauna. Uploading your observations to iNaturalist contributes valuable biodiversity data, identifies species hotspots, and supports local conservation efforts.

Explore the Data

How to Contribute

Research Areas

Our work examines the relationships between biodiversity and urban environments, focusing on how ecological processes function within green spaces. By analyzing species patterns, interactions, and ecosystem changes, we aim to provide actionable insights that promote resilience, connectivity, and sustainability in city planning.

Enhancing Biodiversity in Southern Alberta’s Urban Green Spaces by:

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Identifying and mapping biodiversity hotspots in urban green spaces.

Delivering evidence-based strategies to guide urban planning and conservation efforts.

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Training students in practical biodiversity research and analytical techniques.

Engaging community members in biodiversity monitoring and conservation.

Senior Project Research at Lethbridge Polytechnic

Species Observations, Data Analysis, and Annotations

Research Questions and Macrosystem Ecology

These projects investigate how Southern Alberta’s urban green spaces can contribute to biodiversity, climate resilience, and community well-being.

Pollinator-Plant Interactions

Mapping interactions between pollinators (e.g., bees, butterflies) and plant species to identify green spaces that support diverse pollinator communities and strengthen urban ecosystems.

Phenological Observations

Tracking bloom times and plant-pollinator activity across years to evaluate how climate change affects ecosystem synchronization and seasonal biodiversity patterns.

Monitoring Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health

Identifying invasive species hotspots and assessing their impact on native biodiversity. Regular biodiversity surveys provide early indicators of environmental degradation, helping guide urban habitat restoration and management strategies.

Species-Habitat Connectivity

Studying how urban green spaces link habitats and support wildlife movement to enhance population resilience and ecological connectivity.

Climate Impact Analysis

Using iNaturalist and field data to identify species vulnerable to climate stressors, map distribution shifts, and inform strategies like green infrastructure and habitat restoration to enhance urban biodiversity.

Community Science Engagement

Integrating citizen-submitted biodiversity data with professional surveys to improve urban monitoring. Public initiatives, such as nature walks and awareness campaigns, highlight the importance of making local species observations.

Land-Use Planning and Policy Development

By leveraging biodiversity data, the city can adopt evidence-based policies for conservation, recreation, and urban greening. This might include setting aside land for parks, prioritizing invasive species management, or enhancing ecological connectivity.

Assessing Urban Green Infrastructure

Assessing green infrastructure, like gardens and green roofs, reveals their impact on biodiversity and resilience within the city. Insights guide enhancements to support urban ecosystems under climate stress.

Mapping Biodiversity Shifts

Visualizing biodiversity changes, such as range shifts and population trends, provides evidence of climate change’s impacts. These maps help prioritize key areas for protection and guide targeted interventions to safeguard urban biodiversity.

Highlighting Vulnerable Species and Ecosystems

Identifying vulnerable species and ecosystems highlights those most at risk from climate stressors. Insights support targeted conservation efforts to protect biodiversity in urban environments.

This project offers a practical approach to urban biodiversity monitoring with direct benefits for students, planners, and the community, enhancing Southern Alberta’s climate resilience through focused, impactful research.

We prioritize inclusive participation by partnering with educational institutions to engage students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring everyone can contribute to urban conservation efforts.

Join the City of Lethbridge Project

Click to Join

Brook Skagen, P.Biol, ATT, AWB®

He | Him | They | Them

Wildlife Biologist / Rangeland Agrologist

Larkfir Conservation Services

brook.skagen [at] gmail [dot] com

Jason Headley, B.Sc., P.Biol.

He | Him

Wildlife Biologist

Myotis Lens Environmental

jason.n.headley [at] gmail [dot] com