Evaluating Ecological Restoration Outcomes for Oil Sand Disturbances on Peatland: Linking Ecosystem Structure and Function

评估泥炭地油砂扰动的生态恢复成果：将生态系统结构和功能联系起来

• 批准号: 502331-2016
• 负责人: Dambrowitz, Christopher
• 金额: $ 3.22万
• 依托单位: Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=648569
• 关键词: Evaluating; Ecological; Restoration; Outcomes; Oil

Oil sands extraction results in widespread ecosystem disturbance across Canada's boreal forest, including the**construction of well-sites. At least 84,000 ha of well-site disturbance are present in the region; given that 30%**of the region consists of peatland, many of these well-sites have been constructed in peatland ecosystems.**Despite the introduction of peatland reclamation criteria for well-sites and associated infrastructure (e.g., access**roads, pipelines, etc.) by the Province of Alberta, ecological restoration methods for well-sites remain**inefficient. Therefore, the energy sector is faced with the challenge of developing and employing innovative**peatland restoration techniques to meet regulatory requirements and recreate functioning ecosystems. The**proposed research program will evaluate a variety of peatland restoration techniques for oil sand well-site**disturbances on peatland for their ability to meet provincially set reclamation criteria. In addition, a range of**ecosystem functions, including hydrologic regulation, biodiversity support, chemical conditions, peatland**accumulation and greenhouse gas exchange, will be assessed and compared to rates in regional undisturbed**peatlands as a reference. The congruence between the structure of the vegetation community and the ecosystem**function can then be assessed. Results from the study will inform best management practices for peatland**well-site restoration, improve the environmental performance of the energy sector, and help ensure the**long-term health of Canada's boreal forest.

油砂开采导致加拿大北方森林广泛的生态系统受到干扰，包括**井场的建设。该地区至少有 84,000 公顷的井场受到干扰；鉴于该地区 30%** 由泥炭地组成，许多井场都是在泥炭地生态系统中建造的。**尽管针对井场和相关基础设施（例如通道**道路、管道等），但井场的生态恢复方法仍然**低效。因此，能源部门面临着开发和采用创新的**泥炭地恢复技术以满足监管要求并重建功能生态系统的挑战。 **拟议的研究计划将评估各种针对油砂井场的泥炭地恢复技术**对泥炭地的干扰，以确保其满足省级开垦标准的能力。此外，还将评估一系列**生态系统功能，包括水文调节、生物多样性支持、化学条件、泥炭地**积累和温室气体交换，并与区域未受干扰**泥炭地的速率进行比较，作为参考。然后可以评估植被群落结构与生态系统**功能之间的一致性。该研究的结果将为泥炭地**井场恢复的最佳管理实践提供信息，提高能源部门的环境绩效，并帮助确保**加拿大北方森林的长期健康。