The study of climate change is a study of uncertainties, and efforts are needed to address these. New initiatives should address the need for management strategies to be based on realistic evaluations of the impacts of climate change, and on the vulnerability of present land-use practices to these changes.

Land-Management Issues

Management plans are an essential component of maintaining sustainable land use activities on sensitive dune soils. larger image [JPEG, 24.7 kb, 261 X 429, notice]

Sand dunes are undeniably some of the most sensitive landscapes on the prairies. This sensitivity is well-recognized among people utilizing these lands. Many dune areas are managed as large institutional units (parks, pastures, military bases, forest and wildlife reserves) that have formal management plans in place to maintain the integrity and sustainability of these areas (figure to right).

Sand dunes are also among the most sensitive areas to the potential impacts resulting from climate change. As a result, it is important to assess the vulnerability of existing land uses in these areas and to consider the range of land-management practices that may be required to cope with impacts of climate change. This may be achieved by becoming aware of the potential impacts climate change along with the need to adapt to these impacts, by evaluating existing management plans for the vulnerability to climate change, and by developing management plans that consider the impacts of climate change.

Source:
Wolfe, S.A. and Nickling, W.G. 1997. Sensivity of Eolian Processes to Climate Change in Canada. Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 421, 30 pp.