PAD vegetation change - Wood Buffalo National Park

The Peace Athabasca Delta (PAD) is a dynamic deltaic ecosystem that is driven by natural, periodic floods. Vegetation communities naturally vary with floods and droughts, but changes in the long term can be detected. Specific concerns include: a shift away from aquatic communities, encroachment of shrubby species, and spread of invasive species. The Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) PAD Vegetation Invasive Species dataset documents the occurrence and cover of invasive plant species in permanent plots in the Peace Athabasca Delta. In 1993, thirty six vegetation transects were established. Survey frequency was every five years; exceptions were: a) after a flood, and b) in 2014-2016 the survey was split across three years. Percent cover of each plant is estimated and identifications are made to the species level, where possible. Non-native invasive species grouped in the dataset were Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion), Cirsus arvense (Canada thistle), Sonchus species (sowthistles).

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated April 17, 2026, 17:25 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 17:25 (UTC)
contact_email Rhona.Kindopp@pc.gc.ca
contact_person {}
criticality_level ["educators", "nongovernmental_organizations", "scientists", "students"]
data_dictionary []
geographic_scope []
open_canada_collection primary
open_canada_date_published 2017-10-01 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"fr": ["Transformation de la végétation", "espèces envahissantes", "pourcentage de recouvrement", "études de la végétation", "delta des rivières de la Paix et Athabasca"], "en": ["Vegetation changes", "invasive species", "percent cover", "transects", "vegetation surveys", "Peace-Athabasca Delta"]}
open_canada_subject ["nature_and_environment"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Changement de la végétation dans le DPA - Parc national Wood Buffalo
update_frequency as_needed