Response of peatland ecosystem functions to novel restoration techniques

泥炭地生态系统功能对新型恢复技术的响应

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-07098
• 负责人: Nwaishi, Felix
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: Mount Royal University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=741593
• 关键词: Response; peatland; ecosystem; functions; novel

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.

我的研究计划探讨泥炭地生态地球化学和生态水文过程的干扰和恢复/开垦的响应，以及它们对西部北方森林（WBF）泥炭地生态系统功能的影响。泥炭地是最有价值和最丰富的湿地类型之一。北方泥炭地以支持重要的生态系统功能而闻名于世。加拿大北方森林泥炭地的生态系统功能受到资源开采行业开发基础设施（如管道、地震线路、服务道路和井场）的人为干扰的威胁。如果没有恢复，这些干扰所造成的线性和矿物特征对泥炭地生态系统功能、区域水文和地球化学过程产生长期影响。恢复的高成本往往是阻碍利益相关者投资泥炭地恢复的一个关键因素。目前，新的具有成本效益的恢复技术，涉及各种形式的泥炭表面重新配置和水文条件的修改正在进行跨越受原位石油和天然气勘探影响的北方泥炭地。因此，拟议的研究的总体目标是实施一个综合的生态系统研究，以检查的影响和有效性，这些技术对泥炭地生态系统功能的恢复碳和营养物质地球化学，水文连通性，水平衡调节，并建立泥炭地植物群落，支持野生动物栖息地。我的假设是，这些恢复技术的有效性将取决于控制，如土壤性质，水文条件和水化学。此外，这些控制措施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，植被群落结构将通过调节地下微生物群落、养分循环过程以及地上水和碳（C）的交换来驱动生态系统的生态水文和生态地球化学过程。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，以生成所需的所有数据，以发展对产生生态系统功能的生物物理过程的机械理解。 在恢复的泥炭地和自然参考地点实施这项综合生态系统研究，将为新的恢复技术对水文条件和地点的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;控制碳和营养物质转化的生态地球化学过程;以及这些生态系统过程的变化将如何影响恢复泥炭地的生态系统功能。这项研究也将有助于我的研究计划的长期目标，通过领先的恢复技术的创新，以消除对泥炭地生态系统功能的干扰的累积影响。