Dustin Raab, MSc Student
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Contact information:
Email: dustin.raab@ualberta.ca
Research Project:
Development of indicators of wetland health in the oil sands: reclamation of marsh habitat in boreal Alberta
Large tracts of pristine boreal forest are being destroyed as oil sands development continues in northern Alberta, and this land must be reclaimed after the mining is completed. The landscape prior to mining is composed of 30-60% wetlands, mostly peatlands, which are critical habitat for rare and traditional-use plants, fish, migratory birds, amphibians, as well as larger fauna.
Thus far wetland reclamation efforts have constructed a few small shallow marshes. Future constructed wetlands are projected to cover 450 km2 of the post-mining landscape, and regulators require a way to assess the health of these extensive areas. Wet meadow and emergent plant communities are often good indicators of marsh health, thus I am comparing vegetation in oil sands constructed marshes to appropriate natural analogues. This study will provide guidance for wetland reclamation in the oil sands and an assessment tool to determine if the reclaimed marshes are effectively replacing the pre-existing wetlands.
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Last Modified:2010-12-08 |