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

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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.