Response of peatland ecosystem functions to novel restoration techniques

主要研究西部寒带森林泥炭地生物地球化学和生态水文过程对干扰和复垦的响应及其对生态系统功能的影响。泥炭地是BFR中最珍贵、最丰富的湿地类型之一。北方泥炭地因支持重要的生态系统功能而闻名全球。加拿大北方森林泥炭地的生态系统功能正受到资源开采工业开发的基础设施（如管道、地震线、服务道路和井台）的人为干扰的威胁。如果不进行恢复，这些扰动造成的线状和矿物特征将对泥炭地生态系统功能、区域水文和生物地球化学过程产生长期影响。高昂的恢复成本往往是阻碍利益相关者投资泥炭地恢复的关键因素。目前，在受原位石油和天然气勘探影响的北方泥炭地，人们正在采用新的经济有效的恢复技术，包括各种形式的泥炭表面重构和水文条件的改变。因此，本研究的总体目标是实施一项综合生态系统研究，从碳和养分生物地球化学、水文连通性、水平衡调节以及支持野生动物栖息地的泥炭地植物群落的建立等方面考察这些技术对泥炭地生态系统功能恢复的影响和有效性。我的假设是，这些恢复技术的有效性将取决于诸如土壤性质、水文条件和水化学等控制。此外，这些控制因素之间的相互作用将决定最终的植被群落结构，随着时间的推移，这将通过调节地下微生物群落、养分循环过程和地上水和碳(C)的交换来驱动生态系统的生态水文和生物地球化学过程。为了验证这些假设，我的研究计划将整合实地测量和实验室分析，以产生对产生生态系统功能的生物物理过程的机械理解所需的所有数据。在恢复后的泥炭地和自然参考点上实施这种综合生态系统研究，将为研究新恢复技术对这些地点水文条件和微气象特征的影响提供新的见解；泥炭地植物和地下微生物群落的建立；控制碳和养分转化的生物地球化学过程；以及这些生态过程的变化对泥炭地恢复后生态系统功能的影响。这项研究还将通过引领恢复技术的创新来消除干扰对泥炭地生态系统功能的累积影响，从而为我的研究项目的长期目标做出贡献。

My research program explores the response of peatland biogeochemical and ecohydrological processes to disturbance and restoration/reclamation, and their impacts on the of ecosystem functions of peatlands in the Western Boreal Forest (WBF). Peatlands are one the most valuable and abundant wetland class in the BFR. Boreal peatlands are known globally for supporting vital ecosystem functions. The ecosystem functions of peatlands in Canada's boreal forest are under threat of anthropogenic disturbances through the development of infrastructures (e.g. pipelines, seismic lines, service roads, and well pads) by resource extraction industries. Without restoration, the linear and mineral features created by these disturbances have long-lasting impact on peatland ecosystem functions, regional hydrology and biogeochemical processes. The high cost of restoration is often a key factor deterring stakeholders from investing in peatland restoration. Currently, novel cost-efficient restoration techniques that involve various forms of peat surface reconfiguration and modification of hydrologic conditions are underway across boreal peatlands impacted by in-situ oil and gas exploration. Thus, the overall goal of the proposed research is to implement an integrated ecosystem study to examine the impacts and effectiveness of these techniques on the recovery of peatland ecosystem functions in terms of carbon and nutrients biogeochemistry, hydrologic connectivity, water balance regulation, and establishment of peatland plant communities that support wildlife habitat. My hypothesis is that the effectiveness of these restoration techniques will depend on controls such as soil properties, hydrologic conditions and water chemistry. Further, interactions among these controls will determine the resultant vegetation community structure, which over time will drive ecosystem ecohydrological and biogeochemical processes by regulating below-ground microbial communities, nutrients cycling processes, and above-ground exchange of water and carbon (C). To test these hypotheses, my research program will integrate field measurements and laboratory analyses to generate all the data required to develop a mechanistic understanding of the biophysical processes that produce ecosystem functions. Implementing this integrated ecosystem study across restored peatland and natural reference sites will provide new insights on the impacts of novel restoration techniques on hydrologic conditions and micrometeorological characteristics of the sites; establishment of peatland plants and below-ground microbial communities; biogeochemical processes that control the transformation of C and nutrients; and how variation in these ecosystem processes will affect ecosystem functions of restored peatlands. This study will also contribute to the long-term goal of my research program by leading innovation on restoration techniques to remove cumulative impacts of disturbances on peatland ecosystem functions.