Although scale is consistently identified as the central problem in ecology, empirical examinations of its importance in ecological research are rare and fundamental concepts remain either largely misunderstood or incorrectly applied. Due to the mobile and wide-ranging nature of wildlife populations, species-habitat modeling is a field in which much proliferation of multi-scale studies has occurred, and thus provides a good arena within which to test both scale theory and its application. Insufficient examination of a relevant breadth of the scale continuum could be an important constraint in all multi-scale investigations, limiting our understanding of scalar concepts overall. Here I examine several concepts of ecological scale by studying free-ranging populations of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus), purported to be a keystone species in northern forests. Coarse-grain digital forest coverage revealed that flying squirrels in the boreal and foothills of Alberta were not conifer specialists, rather forest generalists regarding stand type and age. Lack of coarse-grain scale effects led me to examine fine-grain data, including an assessment of scale domains using a novel continuum approach. Fine-grain data revealed important scale-related biases of trapping versus telemetry, namely that, at fine-grain scales, different habitat associations could be generated from the same data set based on methods alone. Then, focusing on spatial extent, I develop a true multi-scalar approach examining scale domains. First, I quantify only forest attributes across multiple extents, and demonstrate unpredictable scale effects on independent variables often used in species-habitat models. Second, including both independent (habitat) and dependent (squirrel telemetry) variables in the same approach, I demonstrate that the relative ranking and strength-of-evidence among different species-habitat models change based on scale, and this effect is different between genders and among life-history stage (i.e., males, females, and dispersing juveniles). I term this the “continuum approach”, the results of which question the validity of many published species-habitat models. Lastly, I attempt to clarify why existing models should be scrutinized by reviewing common rationales used in scale choice (almost always arbitrary), outlining differences between “observational scale” and the commonly cited “orders of resource selection”, and making a clear distinction between multi-scale versus multi-design ecological studies. / Graduate

A completely new Upper Cambrian formational nomenclature is proposed for the southern Rocky Mountains of Alberta. The formations designated as Upper Cambrian are: Corona, and Mount Synge, Dresbachian; Bison Creek, Franconian; and the Mistaya, Trempealeauan. Two additional formations are referred to the Middle Cambrian sequence immediately underlying the Upper Cambrian; the Chephren and the Waterfowl. These latter formations were previously included in the Arctomys formation considered to be Upper Cambrian in age. The lowest Lower Ordovician formation is designated as the Howse River formation. In addition to the above mentioned new formations, the Arctomys, Sullivan, Lyell, Mons, Bosworth, Paget, Sherbrooke, Tangle Ridge, and Sabine formations are discussed in detail. All are considered obsolete, except the Sabine formation, the use of which, it is recommended, be confined to the Canal Flats area, British Columbia. The limits of the Upper Cambrian series in Alberta are more precisely determined, and tentative correlation of the Upper Cambrian of Alberta, Montana, and British Columbia is outlined. Trilobite faunas from all the Upper Cambrian zones, except the Crepicephalus zone, are described and illustrated. The Cedaria zone faunas contain fifteen genera and eighteen species, among them Bolaspidelia wellsvillensis, Nixonella montanensis, several species of Arapahoia and Cedarina, and Kingstonia mucro. Abundant topotype material of K. mucro has made redefinition of this species possible. The Aphelaspis zone is recognized by the discovery of Aphelaspis walcotti, and one questionable species of Aphelaspis. The Franconian zones are represented by Irvingella major, Taenicephalus shumardi, Parabolinoides cordiIlerensis, Maustonia nasota, KendalIina eryon, Ptychaspis striata, Prosaukia lonqicornis and Prosaukia curvicostata, to mention only the more important index species. The Saukia zone of the Trempealeauan is represented by species of Eurekia, StenopiIus, Bynumiella. Hardyia and IlIaenurus. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

The Indianhead Creek map-area is located directly north of the Clearwater River and encompasses a four mile length of the third range of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. The map-area contains one minor thrust fault, a portion of the Third Range thrust fault and a series of four large normal faults. The normal fault blocks are tilted to the south with the lower beds of each fault block being progressively truncated by the slightly northward dipping Third Range thrust fault. Two of these normal faults also cut through the Third Range thrust fault and continue into the underlying formations with a large loss in stratigraphic separation. Two hypotheses are proposed to explain the time relationships and causes of normal faulting. The first hypothesis states that the normal faulting and the tilting of the normal fault blocks occurred before the development of the Third Range thrust fault. Then during thrust faulting, the minor thrust and the progressive truncation of the lower beds of each normal fault block occurred. A recurrence of normal faulting took place after the completion of thrust faulting in which the Third Range thrust fault and the underlying formations were displaced. The second period of normal faulting developed along the planes of the previously existing normal faults. The second hypothesis states that the normal faulting, the tilting of the normal fault blocks, and the thrust faulting developed concurrently. A monoclinal fold in the plane of the Third Range thrust fault is proposed in order to explain the progressively southward truncation of the lower beds of the tilted normal fault blocks and the large loss in stratigraphic separation as two of the normal faults pass through the thrust fault. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this review is to demonstrate the growth of a family agency, The Calgary Family Bureau. This growth is related in a general manner to that of the Family Welfare Movement which had its roots within the Charity Organization Societies. In portraying this development, only the salient points are discussed, relating them as closely as possible to the functions of a family service agency. These functions which are two in number, are the accepted purposes of a modern family agency. They are, first, to provide a skilled case work service on problems of family living and individual social adjustment; and second, to provide and stimulate those resources that contribute to healthy social living in the community. It is desired that the specific study of the development of the Calgary Family Bureau will: first, portray a parallel to the growth of other family service agencies as outlined in the first chapter; and second, to demonstrate those processes by which the past has influenced the agency at present; and third, to provide a basis upon which an assessment can be made of the present and the future of the agency. In respect of the latter, an attempt is made to evaluate and assess the agency, not only in terms of the past, but particularly in terms of the present. The assessment being geared to the functions of an accepted family service agency. The reconstruction of the growth and development of family agencies in general terms was formulated through research of available authoritative sources relating to the general movement and the accepted standard of purposes for a modern family agency. The specific analysis of the antecedents of the Canary Family Bureau and the events leading to it becoming an independent family agency was undertaken after a study of historical data in the form of documents such as Minutes, Annual Reports, letters and an independent Survey. These were supplemented by personal sources of authentic observers. The same method was applied in a study of the present status of the agency but in this case also supplemented the personal observations of the writer. The findings attempt to show that the needs of the Calgary community not only dictated the development of a social agency but lent themselves to its character and the service it provided. These needs were recognized and the forces of social action to meet them were implemented because of the concern and character of responsible personalities in the community. Personal attributes played a considerable role in the formation of and development of the Calgary Family Bureau. The Calgary Family Bureau was also a product of pressures within the community and its standard of service was influenced by changing concepts. These concepts being the acceptance of the purposes of a recognized family agency. It has not been concluded, however, that the Bureau has reached the standards set for such agencies. It has acquired a foundation as a family agency. It must now acquire the techniques and policies inherent of the case work and community functions of a modern family agency. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

The thesis represents a field and paleontological study of Devonian strata exposed in the Ram River Area west of Nordegg Alberta, and is intended to present information which will supplement data obtained from exploration drilling of the Great Plains basin. Certain structural phenomena are discussed in relation to the problems of the Rocky Mountain overthrust belt. It is concluded that overfolding in many cases preceeded thrust fault development, that modification of Lawson’s equation may be necessary in the consideration of low-angle thrust faults, and that the Eastern Ranges may have suffered less displacement than those of the western Rockies. The principles of regional and interregional correlation are discussed with a view to evaluation of the criteria and limitations of biostratigraphic correlation. Previous stratigraphic work is reviewed, and detailed descriptions of the Flume, Perdrix, and Cheviot Formations are submitted. The Perdrix Formation is recognized as being divisible into two new members, the Blackface and Whitegoat Members. Faunal description, revision, and illustration of five species of corals and thirty species of brachiopods constitute the main part of the work. Revision shows that Leiorhynchus albertense Warren is referable to Calvinaria, and that Bellerophon neleus Hall and Whitfield is referable to Aglaeoglypta. One variety, Calvinaria albertense var. plicata is recognized as new. / Arts, Faculty of / Geography, Department of / Graduate

The Canadian grain trade is faced with the prospect of change. It is therefore important to analyze the system for current efficiency and for efficiency under alternative configurations of physical facilities, alternative methods of operating, and alternative regulations. This study is concerned with a somewhat narrow subject, that of grain movement from the farm to elevator. Total costs associated with the assembly of grain were estimated at six elevator points: for the current configuration of facilities, after changes in number and capacity of elevators, after changes in farm storage capacity, after changes in hauling distance and truck size, and after changes in elevator location. The technique of simulation was used, and a model was constructed to provide a simulator of the system. The model was by necessity, simple, incorporating data to represent crop production, farm storage cost, ground storage cost, hauling cost, elevator cost, and rail shipments. Each change necessitated an additional computer run to determine the costs resulting from the change. It was concluded that a model using the technique of simulation could be constructed for the entire grain marketing system to capture the essence of the interdependencies. Ten experiments were conducted to estimate the costs associated with alternative configurations. The resulting estimates indicated that the current configuration is inefficient and that lower costs would occur following: (1) reduction in the number of elevators at each point, (2) a reduction in the number of points, (3) a reduction in farm storage capacity, and (4) by an increase in farm truck size. The cost of assembling grain with the current configuration was estimated to be 24.38 cents per bushel. It is possible given the validity of the model to reduce these costs to 13.76 cents per bushel by decreasing the number of elevators at each point, reducing farm storage capacity, and increasing farm truck size. The complete response surface was not mapped because of the great number of potential permutations, hence only ten discrete experiments were completed. However, indications were that one of the more important ways to achieve a lower per bushel cost of assembly is to increase the volume of grain through a fixed capacity country elevator system. It is important to examine these results in terms of the limited scope of the study for not all costs were accounted. That is, there may be external costs to the rest of the economy due to interdependence. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

The value and feasibility of implementing the Corridor concept has been debated for over twenty years. A corridor provides land for the coordinated placement of future linear facilities such as highways, railways, pipelines, powerlines and municipal services. Few corridors have been established, although there has been obvious interest in the concept. A number of studies into the feasibility of establishing corridors have been completed in the United States, Alberta and British Columbia. This thesis examines the benefits, disadvantages and implementation problems associated with the corridor concept. Through a literature review, the factors influencing linear facility right-of-way location and width are examined. Also, from the literature, the benefits and disadvantages associated with corridor implementation and the key factors which have inhibited corridor implementation are identified. The Alberta corridor program is studied and the corridor origins, design, institutional framework and implementation mechanism identified. The case study indicated that a set of unusual circumstances allowed for the establishment of the Alberta corridors. This thesis concludes that corridors do provide net benefits for the community in the long term but that they are difficult to implement. The major planning implication of corridors is that they bring right-of-way planning into the sphere of land use planning and reduce the emphasis on economics and engineering. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

The broad scope and intent of this thesis is to contribute to the body of research and writing about the loss of agricultural land due to development and the transformation of rural agricultural communities. At the more specific level, through interviews and secondary research, this thesis considers municipal land use planning in Alberta under the revised 1995 Municipal Government Act in the Municipal District (MD) of Pincher Creek No. 9, where cattle ranching, wildlife, and now, acreages vie for land resources. The critical questions addressed are: What are the conflicts between ranching and habitat conservation, and conversely, what opportunities do they share? What role can and does a municipality play in promoting sustainable ranching and conservation through its land use policy and jurisdiction? Set in southwest corner of Alberta, the MD of Pincher Creek is endowed with a remarkable history of ranching, ample resource wealth, and a unique climate and topography that supports a spectacular, rich, diverse ecosystem. Within the past few years, private agricultural land near Waterton Lakes National Park and the Castle River wilderness in the MD has come under speculative and development pressure predominantly for country residences, often retirement homes, and for tourism interests. Recent Municipal Act amendments have delegated substantially more land use control to rural municipalities, as a result the MD of Pincher Creek has more authority to make decisions that shape its future community profile, to mediate between competing land use interests, and to impact local ranching and habitat. The thesis analysis explores how the best practices of ranching or "sustainable ranching" can help to conserve and enhance habitat and how ranchers' attitudes can evolve to be more tolerant of wildlife. This thesis also explores and supports the efforts of a budding local land trust, SALTS, which plans to protect local agricultural land and habitat through conservation easements. Finally, the thesis concludes by envisioning ways the MD government can encourage habitat preservation, conservation easements, sustainable and economically viable ranching, as well as the control and direction of country residential development, all with a view to ensuring that future economic development opportunities remain available for local residents. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Urban growth management is a topic of relatively new but increasing interest. Throughout North America, numerous communities are attempting to modify or manage their growth patterns. This thesis has attempted to draw together the reasons for this new concern for growth management, the techniques used to accomplish it and the considerations inherent in the actual development of a management program. In order that a real world perspective be achieved, the Edmonton area of Alberta was considered. Through data obtained from the Edmonton Regional Planning Commission as well as from a number of other governmental agencies and through the author's employment with the Planning Commission, an insight into the current growth patterns and problems of the area was attained. Following the introduction, a discussion of the new concern for growth management is presented in Chapter II. Three general areas of concern are described: social, environmental and economic. Chapter III enumerates and briefly reviews various growth management techniques as they are applied in North America. As the legality of any management technique is crucial to its success, Chapter IV discusses the legal basis for the various growth management techniques in the Alberta setting. A detailed explanation of the use of the Subdivision and Transfer Regulations of Alberta is used to exemplify the legal adequacy of some growth management techniques. With this background data, the development of a growth management program for the Edmonton area was initiated. Chapter V summarizes the current population and economic growth of the area as well as the views of the three levels of government and those of the general populace concerning growth. Finally, Chapter VI brings together the work from the preceeding chapters to develop a growth management program for the decentralization and reallocation of the population and economic growth of the area. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

This thesis is a comparative case study of welfare reform in Alberta and British Columbia in the 1990s. It explores the predominant pressures on the social assistance systems emanating from the provincial, national and international arenas. It further identifies and compares the policy response of each province to these pressures and the consequences of the reforms for the respective governments and social assistance communities. Lastly, it attempts to account for the major similarities and differences between the two reformed welfare policies. This thesis argues that while Alberta's and British Columbia's welfare reforms share a number of notable similarities, they reflect fundamentally different models of welfare provision: Alberta's reforms follow a market-enforcement model while British Columbia's approximate a market-performance model. The similarities between the two policies are best accounted for as reactions to parallel pressures on the two welfare programs, specifically, rising welfare caseloads and program costs as well as the changing debate around the merits of government social assistance programs. Conversely, the differences between the two policies reflect the salience of distinctive pressures on each welfare system. In Alberta reform was driven by the influence of Alberta Family and Social Services Minister Mike Cardinal and the example of American welfare reforms while in BC the reforms were initiated on account of federal policy transformations and public perceptions of fraud. Finally, this thesis suggests that the specific models of welfare provision chosen in each case reflect the influence of each provinces' unique political context. The political ideology of the governing party in both provinces was a significant factor in determining the orientation of the reformed welfare policy. In Alberta the adoption of a market-enforcement model was further facilitated by the province's longstanding political culture while in British Columbia the influence of interest groups contributed to the creation of a social assistance policy closely resembling a market-performance model. / Arts, Faculty of / Political Science, Department of / Graduate