{"id":2502,"date":"2023-03-24T13:11:26","date_gmt":"2023-03-24T17:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/ccedarrproject\/?post_type=chapter&p=2502"},"modified":"2024-07-12T14:10:17","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T18:10:17","slug":"the-natural-environment-of-a-population-catchment","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/ccedarrproject\/chapter\/the-natural-environment-of-a-population-catchment\/","title":{"raw":"The Natural Environment of a Population Catchment","rendered":"The Natural Environment of a Population Catchment"},"content":{"raw":"The strengthening of rural community resilience is the focus of this book, and a significant part of rural resilience includes rural\u2019s proximity to nature. The population catchment of a rural community is not only defined by the characteristics of the human population, but also sits within a natural catchment that supports all life, both human and non-human. A major part of the transformation going forward is reengaging with nature and living with the natural ecosystems upon which we depend. Though this will be discussed in greater detail in the following chapter<\/a>, we explore some of the data implications of this transformation here.\r\n
\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/youtu.be\/WcDq2gmEK0M[\/embed]\r\n\r\nDr. Ilona Hale shares how important our environmental assets are for human health (0:55)\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nBuilding on the concept of 1-hr catchments from health facilities, it would be extremely beneficial for health practitioners and decision-makers to understand the characteristics of their community\u2019s natural catchment as well. The data we need to understand this natural catchment includes an understanding of the forest cover, the arable land, the growing season, and optimal crops for the climatic zone of the community. We need to understand the watershed and the seasonal flows, and consider the biodiversity of the areas in which we live, as well as any species at risk. The history of environmental hazards of the catchment needs to be understood in order to form accurate risk management strategies for the communities\u2019 climate adaptation and mitigation. Finally, industrial activity is both an important risk and potential benefit for a rural community, and needs to be optimized to support community sustainability within a broad ecosystem based analysis.\r\n\r\nThe provincial government and some of the health authorities have made innovative steps to address the need for new and more accessible data. ClimateReadyBC<\/a> is an example of an initiative that is designed to learn lessons from past emergencies, address disaster and climate risk, build capacity and resilience to face current challenges, and prepare BC communities to mitigate risk from future disasters.29<\/a><\/sup> However, despite the substantial benefits of such data infrastructure, one critical limitation is that the data is not easily accessible at the level of the community catchment, effectively rendering the data ineffective for local change by community members.\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/span>\r\n
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<\/a>Recommendation 22<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Catchment data should be enhanced to include environmental assets and liabilities related to the local population and landscape<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<\/header> \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nData surrounding food security and water quality are particularly pertinent when considering the effects of climate change and ecosystem disruption. Being able to accurately determine where, when, and how food and water are being accessed and utilized by a rural community can help to assess vulnerabilities and areas for quality improvement. Below, we provide two examples of how different types of data related to food security and water quality might help inform communities and strengthen their resilience.\r\n

Food Security<\/span><\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2225\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"274\"]\"\" Photo by author, Kate Feldman. Used with permission.<\/em>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nFood security<\/a> in rural catchments needs to be optimized within a comprehensive plan that minimizes waste, optimizes local food sourcing, and supports vulnerable populations (see Chapter 8, \u2018Sustainability\u2019<\/a> for a deeper discussion on food security and agriculture). When it comes to data, a study conducted by the Government of Canada in 2021 has identified a need for increased focus on \u201cmeasuring and monitoring food insecurity within vulnerable populations including rural and remote communities\u201d.30<\/a><\/sup> One way data can support food security is with the use of crop type mapping. Maps of crop type can serve the purpose of \u201cforecasting grain supplies (yield prediction), collecting crop production statistics, facilitating crop rotation records, mapping soil productivity, identification of factors influencing crop stress, assessment of crop damage due to storms and drought, and monitoring farming activity\u201d.31<\/a><\/sup> In BC especially, where food production varies heavily by region, this means of collecting information is an efficient way of identifying region-specific challenges and agricultural best practices.32<\/a><\/sup>\r\n\r\nLocal food management can provide positive economic, social, and environmental effects and significantly reduce the carbon footprint generated by feeding the community. Data that gathers these local innovations can harness rural volunteer spirit and contribute to programs to feed the vulnerable and diminish wastage. For example, Kimberly, BC has created the Healthy Kimberley Program<\/a> that has had remarkable success in feeding the vulnerable citizens of the community, while the\u00a0 Squamish-Lilloet leadership has inventoried food production in the region and created a Food Assets map that has become a model for other communities.33<\/a><\/sup>\r\n

Quality of Water<\/span><\/h2>\r\nDrinking water advisories alert communities when drinking water is unsafe. These advisories are informed by water quality, which refers to water\u2019s physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.34<\/a><\/sup> The assessment and monitoring of water quality enables the timely detection of environmental issues that may arise from the increase of pollutants resulting from anthropogenic activities.35<\/a><\/sup> In BC, water quality is systematically monitored through the collection of water samples from 48 stations every two to four weeks.36<\/a><\/sup> Data on water quality is then used to:\r\n