Article
Ecology
Kelly M. Biagi, M. Graham Clark, Sean K. Carey
Summary: The study aims to understand the key hydrological changes post-management of a constructed peatland watershed, with results showing that changes in management practices primarily drove the observed hydrological changes, and current conditions are not favorable for the development of the wetland ecosystem.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Kwadwo Omari, Bradley D. Pinno, Nicholas Utting, Edith H. Y. Li
Summary: Oil sands surface mining and processing in Alberta generate large volumes of fluid tailings and process water high in salts and metals, which must be reclaimed. The study found that certain non-native plant species performed better than native species in boreal oil sands reclamation sites, with cake-peat substrate supporting the highest aboveground biomass.
Article
Ecology
Andrea Borkenhagen, David J. Cooper, Melissa House, Dale H. Vitt
Summary: This study aims to test the feasibility of peatland reclamation in the Alberta oil sands post-mining landscape. By introducing plants and adjusting water levels, the study found that the introduction of dominant plants and suitable water levels have a significant impact on species distribution, plant community development, and bryophyte richness and cover. The results demonstrate that establishing peat-forming vascular plants and bryophytes is possible, and future projects should focus on creating suitable water level microtopography and introducing plants that facilitate bryophyte establishment and support the development of a diverse peatland plant community.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Austin Zabel, Scott J. Ketcheson, Richard M. Petrone
Summary: This study evaluates the feasibility of incorporating pit lakes into reclamation closure designs in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. The research highlights challenges in constructing sustainable reclamation landscapes due to variations in interannual and decadal water cycles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MINING RECLAMATION AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Emily Prystupa, Scott J. J. Davidson, Jonathan Price, Maria Strack
Summary: In northern Alberta, oil sands mining has a negative impact on the boreal landscape, and peatland construction is being tested for reclamation purposes. Understanding the cycling of solutes and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is crucial in determining the self-sustainability of constructed peatlands. This study focused on measuring DOC concentration, quality, and sodium (Na+) levels in the rooting zone of Nikanotee Fen to evaluate the role of Na+ in DOC dynamics. The results suggest that vegetation inputs are the main source of DOC in the fen, and elevated Na+ levels may lead to increased carbon export.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
David Olefeldt, Mikael Hovemyr, McKenzie A. Kuhn, David Bastviken, Theodore J. Bohn, John Connolly, Patrick Crill, Eugenie S. Euskirchen, Sarah A. Finkelstein, Helene Genet, Guido Grosse, Lorna Harris, Liam Heffernan, Manuel Helbig, Gustaf Hugelius, Ryan Hutchins, Sari Juutinen, Mark J. Lara, Avni Malhotra, Kristen Manies, A. David McGuire, Susan M. Natali, Jonathan A. O'Donnell, Frans-Jan W. Parmentier, Aleksi Raesaenen, Christina Schaedel, Oliver Sonnentag, Maria Strack, Suzanne E. Tank, Claire Treat, Ruth K. Varner, Tarmo Virtanen, Rebecca K. Warren, Jennifer D. Watts
Summary: The study introduces the BorealArctic Wetland and Lake Dataset (BAWLD) to estimate the distribution of wetlands and lakes in the Arctic region. Using expert assessments and random forest modeling, the dataset provides the distribution of various wetland and lake classes, helping to improve assessments of current and future methane emissions.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Emad A. Albakistani, Felix C. Nwosu, Chantel Furgason, Evan S. Haupt, Angela Smirnova, Tobin J. Verbeke, Eun-Suk Lee, Joong-Jae Kim, Amelia Chan, Ilona A. Ruhl, Andriy Sheremet, Sarah B. Rudderham, Matthew B. J. Lindsay, Peter F. Dunfield
Summary: This study examined the methanotrophic bacteria in an industrial end pit lake using molecular DNA methods combined with biogeochemical measurements. The results showed clear and consistent seasonal patterns of growth and decline of three methanotroph genera (Methylobacter, Methylovulum, and Methyloparacoccus). Laboratory experiments suggested that temperature based niche partitioning is a major control for this succession. This study helps to understand microbial dynamics in engineered end pit lakes and has implications for microbial ecology and limnology.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. Chasmer, E. Moura Lima, C. Mahoney, C. Hopkinson, J. Montgomery, D. Cobbaert
Summary: This study used bi-temporal airborne lidar data to compare changes in vegetation height near anthropogenic disturbances in the Oil Sands Region of Alberta, Canada. The results showed that up to 50% of wetlands were disturbed by anthropogenic activities, with bogs experiencing increased shrub growth and expansion, while fens and swamps showed varying responses to disturbances. Wetland shapes becoming elongated were associated with a decline in shrub prevalence between the two time periods.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Olena Volik, Richard Petrone, Eric Kessel, Adam Green, Jonathan Price
Summary: The study assessed the variability of water-use efficiency in different types of peatlands in the Athabasca oil sands region, finding that WUE increases under wetter conditions but is offset by a decrease in air temperature. Wildfire has a negative effect on WUE.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Abdul Samad, Dani Degenhardt, Armand Seguin, Marie-Josee Morency, Patrick Gagne, Christine Martineau
Summary: This study aimed to monitor the structural and functional responses of microbial communities in tailings subjected to different capping and vegetation strategies. The results showed that tailings microbial diversity and community composition changed considerably after two growing seasons, while communities in the capping layer were much more stable. Moreover, selecting the right combination of capping material and vegetation type may contribute to improve below-ground microbial processes and sustain plant growth in harsh environments such as oil sands tailings.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Felix Nwaishi, Matthew Morison, Janina Plach, Merrin Macrae, Richard Petrone
Summary: Peatlands store carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and the stoichiometric relationship among them may be modified by ecosystem disturbances. This study investigates the stoichiometric ratios of C, N, and P in disturbed boreal forest peatlands in the Athabasca oil sands region. The results show differences in nutrient stoichiometric balance across and within peatlands, indicating the potential impact of landscape fragmentation on peatland nutrient stoichiometry.
Article
Environmental Studies
Melissa House, Dale H. Vitt, Lilyan C. Glaeser, Jeremy A. Hartsock
Summary: Monitoring of Sandhill Wetland plant communities and environmental features shows that plant communities dominated by the same species have persisted for nine years after reclamation, although species richness has decreased. Plant communities have shifted in response to changes in water table and sodium concentrations. The stoichiometry of base cations and the water chemistry of the wetland are unique. These findings provide important background data for future in-pit reclamation designs.
Article
Ecology
Wen-Qing Zhang, Killian Fleurial, Michelle Moawad, Robert Vassov, S. Ellen Macdonald, Janusz J. J. Zwiazek
Summary: Oil sands mining in Alberta generates tailings that affect plant revegetation. New technologies using carbon dioxide and thickeners can consolidate the tailings, but their effects on plant growth are still uncertain.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Bin Xu, Line Rochefort, Melanie Bird, Bhupesh Khadka, Maria Strack
Summary: The study successfully adapted the moss layer transfer technique (MLTT) to restore an in-situ oil sands well-pad in northwestern Alberta, Canada, with 63% of the site now covered in peatland vegetation three years after implementation. Different substrate adjustment treatments and types of donor moss had little impact on vegetation development, highlighting the importance of surface elevation, moisture conditions, and substrate chemistry in shaping vegetation communities.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Matthew C. Elmes, Eric Kessel, Corey M. Wells, George Sutherland, Jonathan S. Price, Merrin L. Macrae, Richard M. Petrone
Summary: The removal of a disturbed fen in the AOSR following the removal of a temporary road led to a decrease in hydraulic conductivity and water discharge, but three years later, both measures showed signs of recovery. Additionally, changes in water chemistry were observed, with some parameters showing significant differences between different areas of the fen before and after road removal.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Erin M. Nicholls, Gordon B. Drewitt, Stephanie Fraser, Sean K. Carey
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manuel Helbig, James Michael Waddington, Pavel Alekseychik, Brian D. Amiro, Mika Aurela, Alan G. Barr, T. Andrew Black, Peter D. Blanken, Sean K. Carey, Jiquan Chen, Jinshu Chi, Ankur R. Desai, Allison Dunn, Eugenie S. Euskirchen, Lawrence B. Flanagan, Inke Forbrich, Thomas Friborg, Achim Grelle, Silvie Harder, Michal Heliasz, Elyn R. Humphreys, Hiroki Ikawa, Pierre-Erik Isabelle, Hiroki Iwata, Rachhpal Jassal, Mika Korkiakoski, Juliya Kurbatova, Lars Kutzbach, Anders Lindroth, Mikaell Ottosson Lofvenius, Annalea Lohila, Ivan Mammarella, Philip Marsh, Trofim Maximov, Joe R. Melton, Paul A. Moore, Daniel F. Nadeau, Erin M. Nicholls, Mats B. Nilsson, Takeshi Ohta, Matthias Peichl, Richard M. Petrone, Roman Petrov, Anatoly Prokushkin, William L. Quinton, David E. Reed, Nigel T. Roulet, Benjamin R. K. Runkle, Oliver Sonnentag, Ian B. Strachan, Pierre Taillardat, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila, Juha-Pekka Tuovinen, Jessica Turner, Masahito Ueyama, Andrej Varlagin, Martin Wilmking, Steven C. Wofsy, Vyacheslav Zyrianov
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manuel Helbig, James M. Waddington, Pavel Alekseychik, Brian Amiro, Mika Aurela, Alan G. Barr, T. Andrew Black, Sean K. Carey, Jiquan Chen, Jinshu Chi, Ankur R. Desai, Allison Dunn, Eugenie S. Euskirchen, Lawrence B. Flanagan, Thomas Friborg, Michelle Garneau, Achim Grelle, Silvie Harder, Michal Heliasz, Elyn R. Humphreys, Hiroki Ikawa, Pierre-Erik Isabelle, Hiroki Iwata, Rachhpal Jassal, Mika Korkiakoski, Juliya Kurbatova, Lars Kutzbach, Elena Lapshina, Anders Lindroth, Mikaell Ottosson Lofvenius, Annalea Lohila, Ivan Mammarella, Philip Marsh, Paul A. Moore, Trofim Maximov, Daniel F. Nadeau, Erin M. Nicholls, Mats B. Nilsson, Takeshi Ohta, Matthias Peichl, Richard M. Petrone, Anatoly Prokushkin, William L. Quinton, Nigel Roulet, Benjamin R. K. Runkle, Oliver Sonnentag, Ian B. Strachan, Pierre Taillardat, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila, Juha-Pekka Tuovinen, Jessica Turner, Masahito Ueyama, Andrej Varlagin, Timo Vesala, Martin Wilmking, Vyacheslav Zyrianov, Christopher Schulze
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Iuliia Burdun, Michel Bechtold, Valentina Sagris, Annalea Lohila, Elyn Humphreys, Ankur R. Desai, Mats B. Nilsson, Gabrielle De Lannoy, Ulo Mander
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Graham Clark, Gordon B. Drewitt, Sean K. Carey
Summary: BML behaves similarly to other northern lakes in terms of lake-atmosphere energy and carbon exchange, with high CH4 fluxes in spring but reduced overall fluxes. Evaporation is influenced by hydrocarbon presence on the lake surface, necessitating more comprehensive modeling.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christina A. Braybrook, Neal A. Scott, Paul M. Treitz, Elyn R. Humphreys
Summary: This research investigates the variation of summer net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) in the Arctic over five years, finding that growing degree days with a base of 0 degrees C had stronger predictive power for daily NEE. The interannual variability in total summer NEE was mainly attributed to the variability in gross primary production (GPP).
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Erin M. Nicholls, Sean K. Carey
Summary: Due to amplified climate change from altitude and latitude, significant changes in vegetation composition, density, and distribution have been observed in northern regions. Few field-based studies have evaluated the hydrological implications of these changes, such as the impact on total evapotranspiration (ET) and water yield prediction. The results suggest that predicted changes in vegetation type and structure in northern regions will have a considerable impact on water partitioning.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Graham Clark, Kelly M. Biagi, Sean K. Carey
Summary: Constructing novel peatland ecosystems can help restore the carbon accumulating properties of northern soil systems lost through resource extraction. This study analyzed spatial patterns of dissolved organic matter optical characteristics from a pilot watershed built to restore boreal plains peatlands on a former open pit oil sands mine. The findings suggest the potential for long-term organic matter accumulation at the reconstructed site.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Donatella Zona, Peter M. Lafleur, Koen Hufkens, Beniamino Gioli, Barbara Bailey, George Burba, Eugenie S. Euskirchen, Jennifer D. Watts, Kyle A. Arndt, Mary Farina, John S. Kimball, Martin Heimann, Mathias Gockede, Martijn Pallandt, Torben R. Christensen, Mikhail Mastepanov, Efren Lopez-Blanco, Albertus J. Dolman, Roisin Commane, Charles E. Miller, Josh Hashemi, Lars Kutzbach, David Holl, Julia Boike, Christian Wille, Torsten Sachs, Aram Kalhori, Elyn R. Humphreys, Oliver Sonnentag, Gesa Meyer, Gabriel H. Gosselin, Philip Marsh, Walter C. Oechel
Summary: Long-term records of atmospheric CO2 concentration indicate a decrease in the positive effect of warming on carbon uptake in high-latitude regions since the 1990s. This study used data from permafrost tundra sites across the circumpolar Arctic to examine the temperature responses of ecosystem carbon fluxes and their relationship with soil moisture. The results suggest that reduced soil moisture during peak summer may limit plant productivity and carbon sequestration in tundra ecosystems.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Salvatore R. R. Curasi, Joe R. R. Melton, Elyn R. R. Humphreys, Libo Wang, Christian Seiler, Alex J. J. Cannon, Ed Chan, Bo Qu
Summary: Canada's boreal forests and tundra ecosystems are experiencing unprecedented climate change, which has global implications for the carbon cycle and climate. However, there is limited understanding of the response of Canada's terrestrial ecosystems to climate change, and no comprehensive assessment of Canada's terrestrial carbon cycle. Through the adaptation of the Canadian Land Surface Scheme Including Biogeochemical Cycles (CLASSIC), this study demonstrates improvements in simulating the Canadian carbon cycle by including region-specific vegetation types. By refining model parameterization and incorporating detailed reference data, future land surface models can better represent the terrestrial carbon cycle and evaluate Canada's net carbon balance under climate change.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN MODELING EARTH SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Hongxing He, Tim Moore, Elyn R. Humphreys, Peter M. Lafleur, Nigel T. Roulet
Summary: This study quantified and evaluated the impact of water level variations on the CO2 flux dynamics of a Sphagnum-shrub-dominated bog in southern Canada. The results show that water level variations can significantly influence the net CO2 uptake function of the bog. When the water level drops below a certain threshold, the bog may switch from a CO2 sink to a CO2 source. This study highlights the importance of natural and human disturbances to adjacent water bodies in regulating the carbon dynamics of peatlands.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Gesa Meyer, Elyn R. Humphreys, Joe R. Melton, Alex J. Cannon, Peter M. Lafleur
Summary: Climate change in the Arctic is causing shifts in vegetation communities and carbon fluxes, highlighting the importance of considering shrub plant functional types in models to accurately simulate energy and CO2 interactions. The revised model captures the impact of shrubs on energy and CO2 fluxes in Arctic tundra ecosystems, but still shows overestimation in certain areas.
Article
Ecology
M. Graham Clark, Elyn R. Humphreys, Sean K. Carey