In the forested valleys and remote peaks of the Darkwoods Conservation Area, Selkirk College alumna Alana Block is part of a research team that aims to develop strategies to mitigate risks, inform conservation efforts, and ensure the health and sustainability of a vital ecosystem.
A member of the Selkirk Innovates GIS & Natural Management Resource Management team, Block was hired as a geospatial co-op student this past spring. Her role has focused on applying advanced remote sensing techniques to analyze forest health by identifying stressors and monitoring the vitality of forest ecosystems.
“Our goal is to provide these insights to inform proactive steps in maintaining the health and resilience of our forests in the face of ongoing environmental challenges,” says Block. “I’m excited to contribute to this important work and apply practical solutions to pressing ecological issues while continuing to support research and learning in a dynamic environment.”
Managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Darkwoods Conservation Area is a 63,000-hectare landscape southeast of Nelson in the South Selkirk Mountains between Ymir and the south end of Kootenay Lake. The Darkwoods area is considered an inland temperate rainforest with steep valleys and aquatic environments. Historically, the area faced intensive timber management, leading to high-density tree populations. These dense forests are now at risk of moisture stress, insect infestations, and disease outbreaks, all of which are exacerbated by climate change and increased wildfire threats, posing substantial threats to the integrity of ecosystems and local communities.
A recent graduate of the Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Program, Block returned to Selkirk College after graduating from the Recreation, Fish & Wildlife Program in 2005. Along with her Environmental Biology degree from the University of Regina, earned in 2013, Block brings a strong foundation of education and experience. Her contributions to the project are helping ensure its success.
“My GIS education has really complemented my previous experiences," says Block. "The mentorship, technical skills, and analytical tools I've gained will allow me to take a more data-driven approach to environmental challenges. It’s been rewarding to see how this new knowledge integrates with my background in biology and natural resource management to help tackle real-world issues.”
Block and the GIS & Natural Resource Management team have also been working at the Skattebo Education Forest near Glade. The team uses drones equipped with multispectral, hyperspectral and thermal sensors to gather detailed data on forest conditions. These sensors capture data on spectral reflectance, water content, and temperature—key indicators of vegetation health. By analyzing these metrics, they can detect early signs of stress in trees, such as disease, drought, or insect infestations.
Part of the GIS team’s data analysis involves applying a variety of spectral indices, which quantify measures derived from combining reflectance data across different wavelengths. While RGB imagery captures the visible spectrum and provides a general view of vegetation, it’s limited in detecting subtle changes. Integrating these indices with RGB images, alongside geospatial, statistical and machine learning techniques allows them to comprehensively monitor changes in forest health.
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Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.