Grant: Alliance Grants

The Alberta oil sands represents one of the world's largest oil deposits with the oil sands industry projected to contribute $17 billion in provincial and federal taxes over the next decade. Much of this oil is too deep for surface mining and must be extracted using 'in situ' techniques. This process requires the construction of well pads interconnected by roads and pipelines. The total area affected by in situ oil sands development is extensive, with over 3.6 million ha of area leased. Many of these developments are within the Boreal region in Alberta where there can be as much as 50-100% wetland cover. This research aims to understand how the presence of resource-access roads and well pads affects the way that water moves through the environment and what any changes in water movement mean for the wetlands near to and far from the infrastructure. Changes in water movement (some places getting wetter, others drier) can impact the amount and type of vegetation that grows there. We will check to see if these changes are occurring, how long it takes them to occur and understand what they mean for ecological suitability for habitat, including boreal waterfowl. To do this, we will be measuring water movement, evaluating vegetation communities and using drones to check for any changes to ecosystems at larger scales. We have partnered with an Industry partner (Imperial Oil Resources Ltd.) that can apply the research outcomes directly in their operations, as well as a not-for-profit organization (Ducks Unlimited) to extend the reach and application of our findings to ecosystem and habitat conservation more broadly. Ultimately, if we can understand what wetland types are most (or least) vulnerable to in situ development, then we can help our Industry partners avoid disturbing these particular wetland types during in situ oil sands planning and development, so that the required reclamation at closure can be made more efficient and effective.