From Dirt to Peat: How Reclamation Strategies Impact the Establishment of Peat Accumulation Function on Mineral Features within the Boreal Peatlands of Alberta (re-submission)

在加拿大，泥炭地是被>40厘米的泥炭覆盖的地形，泥炭是一种有机物质， 由于植物和苔藓在水饱和的条件下不完全腐烂而在原地积累。三十 北方阿尔伯塔的油砂区有10%位于泥炭地内。资源勘探和 在泥炭地开采石油通常需要添加矿物填料和土工布来创造特征，例如 道路和井场，为重型设备提供通道和支持。这些矿物特征 在地方和区域范围内对土壤、地球化学、水文和植被产生长期影响。 矿物特征的再生技术包括完全去除矿物填料、部分去除， 和保持原样，每一个都有不同程度的植被退化和泥炭地功能的恢复， 净碳（C）吸收量。虽然矿物填料的完全去除是成功的，但它是昂贵的。启动 泥炭地处理残余矿物填料被认为是一种可行的替代办法。有限的研究 表明，围栏物种可以生长在矿物基质和复垦网站可以成为一个净碳汇后， 几年然而，还需要更多的研究来确定何时泥炭积累和其他泥炭地 函数可能返回，以及在什么条件下返回。本项目将研究几种再生的原地油气 在阿尔伯塔北部泥炭地用矿物填充物建造的特征（井场和道路）。我们将评估植被 部分移除矿物填料后的开发，并将其与参考生态系统（天然泥炭地）进行比较 以及所有矿物填料和土工织物已被移除的场地。初级生产和分解 将测量主要的植物群，以量化随着填海场地的发展，泥炭积累的潜力 随着时间该项目将评估在矿物上建立泥炭积累植被的可行性 基质，并为泥炭地相关政策制定提供关键基准信息， 实施.这项研究的结果将用于制定最佳管理做法和实地指南， 供行业合作伙伴和回收专家使用。

In Canada, peatlands are terrains covered by >40 cm of peat, which is an organic material formed and accumulated in place due to incomplete decay of plants and mosses under water-saturated conditions. Thirty percent of the oil sands regions of northern Alberta are located within peatlands. Resource exploration and extraction of oil in peatlands often require the addition of mineral fill and geotextile to create features, such as roads and well pads, to provide access and support for heavy equipment. These mineral features have long-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, such as net carbon (C) uptake. While complete removal of mineral fill has been successful, it is expensive. Initiation of peatland processes on residual mineral fill is being considered as a feasible alternative. Limited studies have shown that fen species can grow on the mineral substrate and reclaimed sites can become a net C sink after a few years. However, more research is needed to determine when peat accumulation and other peatland functions may return, and under what conditions. This project will study several reclaimed in-situ oil and gas features (well pads and roads) built with mineral fill in Alberta's boreal peatlands. We will evaluate vegetation development 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 of major plant groups will be measured to quantify peat accumulation potential as the reclaimed sites develop over time. This project will assess the feasibility of establishing peat-accumulating vegetation on mineral substrates and provide critical benchmark information for peatland related policy development and implementation. The results of this study will be used to develop best management practice and field guides for use by industry partners and reclamation specialists.