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The 'Essential Monitor’s Guide for Prairie Water Retention' is a technical guidebook published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in February 2024. It provides a framework for monitoring the water quantity and quality of water retention projects—natural infrastructure designed for flood and drought mitigation, water quality improvement, and biodiversity enhancement. The guide details the necessity of water and contaminant mass balances, recommends specific monitoring tools and equipment, and explains how to use rating curves and automated samplers to collect data in the challenging environments of the Canadian Prairies.

This appendix details the research methodology, definitional framework, and economic forecasting used to assess the natural infrastructure sector in the Canadian Prairies. It establishes a statistical framework based on NAICS codes to quantify the sector's current economic impact and projects growth through 2030 under three different investment scenarios.

This executive summary by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues for the adoption of natural infrastructure—such as conserved wetlands and restored riparian areas—to address aging water infrastructure and climate vulnerabilities in the Canadian Prairies. The document advocates for a shift away from 'grey' infrastructure (dams, pipes) toward nature-based solutions to manage water supply, treat wastewater, and mitigate disasters like floods and droughts.

This research paper develops and tests indicators of adaptive capacity to climate change for agriculture across 53 Census Divisions in the Canadian Prairie region. Using a framework of six determinants—economic resources, technology, infrastructure, information/skills/management, institutions/networks, and equity—the authors created an aggregated index to identify regions of high and low adaptive capacity. The study finds that adaptive capacity is strongly correlated with proximity to urban centres and highlights a significant data gap regarding surface and groundwater resources. By comparing census-based indices with field interviews, the paper concludes that while statistical indicators provide a useful spatial perspective, site-specific research is essential for designing effective adaptation policies.

This 1997 draft report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the University of Toronto examines the vulnerability of agriculture in the Canadian Prairies to climate change. It analyzes historical droughts, projects future agroclimatic shifts, and discusses the economic and policy adaptations required to maintain sustainability and global competitiveness.