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

油砂开采对加拿大北方森林的生态系统造成了广泛的干扰，包括油井的建设。该地区至少存在84,000公顷的井场扰动；考虑到该地区30%的面积由泥炭地组成，许多井场都建在泥炭地生态系统中。尽管阿尔伯塔省对井场和相关基础设施（如通道、管道等）采用了泥炭地复垦标准，但井场的生态恢复方法仍然效率低下。因此，能源部门面临着开发和采用创新泥炭地恢复技术以满足监管要求和重建功能生态系统的挑战。拟议的研究计划将评估泥炭地油砂井址干扰的各种泥炭地恢复技术，以满足省制定的复垦标准。此外，将评估一系列生态系统功能，包括水文调节、生物多样性支持、化学条件、泥炭地积累和温室气体交换，并将其与区域未受干扰泥炭地的比率进行比较，作为参考。然后可以评估植被群落结构与生态系统功能之间的一致性。这项研究的结果将为泥炭地井场恢复的最佳管理实践提供信息，改善能源部门的环境绩效，并有助于确保加拿大北方森林的长期健康。

Oil sands extraction results in widespread ecosystem disturbance across Canada's boreal forest, including theconstruction 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., accessroads, pipelines, etc.) by the Province of Alberta, ecological restoration methods for well-sites remaininefficient. Therefore, the energy sector is faced with the challenge of developing and employing innovativepeatland restoration techniques to meet regulatory requirements and recreate functioning ecosystems. Theproposed research program will evaluate a variety of peatland restoration techniques for oil sand well-sitedisturbances on peatland for their ability to meet provincially set reclamation criteria. In addition, a range ofecosystem functions, including hydrologic regulation, biodiversity support, chemical conditions, peatlandaccumulation and greenhouse gas exchange, will be assessed and compared to rates in regional undisturbedpeatlands as a reference. The congruence between the structure of the vegetation community and the ecosystemfunction can then be assessed. Results from the study will inform best management practices for peatlandwell-site restoration, improve the environmental performance of the energy sector, and help ensure thelong-term health of Canada's boreal forest.