Title: Seismic line disturbance alters soil physical and chemical properties across boreal forest and peatland soils
Citation: The datasets generated for this study are available on request to the corresponding author.
Study Site: Fort McMurray, Alberta
Purpose: Industrial activities for resource extraction have led to a network of seismic lines across Canada’s boreal regions where peatlands often make up over 50% of the landscape. These clearings can have a significant influence on ecosystem functioning through vegetation removal, flattening of microtopography, altering hydrological pathways, and impacting biogeochemical processes. Recently, there has been a concerted effort to restore seismic lines to bring back the localized microtopography and encourage ecosystem recovery. A common restoration approach on seismic lines is mounding, which involves using machinery to recreate natural microtopography. Research is scarce on the impact on soil properties following both these disturbances and subsequent
restoration on organic soils. The objectives of this study were to: (1) identify differences in soil physical and chemical characteristics between areas disturbed by seismic lines
and adjacent natural areas and (2) determine changes to soil physical and chemical properties following the mounding restoration technique.
Abstract: In July 2018, we collected soil samples at 34 seismic line locations, both on the line and 20 m into the adjacent undisturbed area. Samples were analyzed for bulk density, volumetric water content (VWC), organic matter (OM) content, C:N ratios, and δ13C/δ15N isotope analysis.
Supplemental Information Summary:
Research: Boreal Ecosystem Recovery and Assessment (BERA) project
Further Info: Davidson, S.J., Goud, E.M., Franklin, C., Nielsen, S.E., & Strack, M. (2020). Seismic Line Disturbance Alters Soil Physical and Chemical Properties Across Boreal Forest and Peatland Soils. Frontiers Earth Science: https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00281
Status: Complete
Keywords:
peat properties,
reclamation/restoration,
effects of disturbance,
Geographical coordinates: North: 56.353658974171694, South: 55.37030146395719 East: -111.15472558957455 West: -111.58965694490121
Bounding Temporal Extent: Start Date: 2018-01-01, End
Date: 2018-12-31
