Soil mounding as a restoration approach of seismic lines in boreal peatlands: implications on microtopography

• DOI: 10.1111/rec.13835
• Publication Date: 2022-11-19T15:58:40Z
• Authors: Jaime Pinzon; Anna Dabros; Philip Hoffman
• Keywords: Elevation (ballistics); Tree line

Seismic lines—narrow and straight corridors from which overstory has been removed to allow access for oil gas exploration—are a major human footprint in the boreal forest of western Canada. With slow minimal recovery tree cover along these corridors, seismic lines have become persistent landscape feature affecting connectivity habitat quality forested ecosystems, particularly wetland areas. Soil mounding is common ground preparation treatment widely applied lines, with expectation that it will enhance seedling establishment improve return disturbed However, much still unknown about environmental responses following application. In this study, we compared microtopography treated untreated as well relative elevation between their adjacent treed peatland. The both sites was significantly lower on peatland, greater difference Likewise, orders magnitude higher areas natural variation Given important changes topography application, our results suggest potential eventual success may be more unpredictable than expected; critical consequences other ecological properties beyond restoration goal cover.