Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

In Canada, peatlands are terrains covered by >40 cm of peat, which is an organic material formed andaccumulated in place due to incomplete decay of plants and mosses under water-saturated conditions. Thirtypercent of the oil sands regions of northern Alberta are located within peatlands. Resource exploration andextraction of oil in peatlands often require the addition of mineral fill and geotextile to create features, such asroads and well pads, to provide access and support for heavy equipment. These mineral features havelong-lasting impacts on the soil, biogeochemistry, hydrology, and vegetation at the local and regional scales.Reclamation techniques for mineral features range from complete removal of the mineral fill, partial removal,and left as is, each with varying degrees of vegetation recolonization and recovery of peatland functions, suchas net carbon (C) uptake. While complete removal of mineral fill has been successful, it is expensive. Initiationof peatland processes on residual mineral fill is being considered as a feasible alternative. Limited studies haveshown that fen species can grow on the mineral substrate and reclaimed sites can become a net C sink after afew years. However, more research is needed to determine when peat accumulation and other peatlandfunctions may return, and under what conditions. This project will study several reclaimed in-situ oil and gasfeatures (well pads and roads) built with mineral fill in Alberta's boreal peatlands. We will evaluate vegetationdevelopment after partial removal of mineral fill and compare it to reference ecosystems (natural peatlands)and sites where all mineral fill and geotextile has been removed. Primary production and decomposition ofmajor plant groups will be measured to quantify peat accumulation potential as the reclaimed sites developover time. This project will assess the feasibility of establishing peat-accumulating vegetation on mineralsubstrates and provide critical benchmark information for peatland related policy development andimplementation. The results of this study will be used to develop best management practice and field guides foruse by industry partners and reclamation specialists.