NSERC industrial research chair for colleges in peatland restoration

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Peatlands are dominant landforms in Canada's boreal and subarctic regions, covering 12% of the surface areaand accounting for 56% of organic soil carbon in Canadian soils. In Alberta, boreal peatlands cover about 17%of the province and their distribution coincides with the oil deposits in the northern boreal regions. Theseecosystems are facing increasing pressure with the rapid development and expansion of the energy sector overthe last few decades. There are 13,559 bitumen producing wells and over 52,000 abandoned oil and gas wellsacross Alberta, with many more added each year as in-situ bitumen production continues to increase. Thecumulative impact of numerous well pads and linear features on boreal peatlands are potentially significant butdifficult to assess and mitigate. Under the renewed term, the Chair will continue to develop innovative,science-based, practical field technologies and solutions for reclaiming functional peatland ecosystemsdisturbed by industrial activities. The Chair's research will provide critical feedback for the development andrefinement of peatland related policies and regulations. The Chair will contribute to the training of HQPs withspecialty skills in peatland management and restoration through field training and workshops. Knowledgederived from the Chair's research will help industry reduce reclamation costs, mitigate and remove ecologicalfootprints associated with resource exploration and extraction, and enhance peatland function and long-termreclamation success. It will help industry secure the "social license" to operate in the boreal regions by gainingpublic trust in its ability to properly manage and mitigate impacts of economic growth on the environment.Alberta, and Canada, could become a leader in the protection and reclamation of boreal peatlands throughimproved, scientifically sound reclamation and management practices.