Natural recovery of human-induced disturbance in an alpine/arctic tundra environment and recommendations for reclamation: Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve.

摘要

This Master's Degree Project (MDP) investigated the natural revegetation processes operating in an alpine location, exhibiting alpine and arctic tundra characteristics (e.g. permafrost, vegetation), disturbed by petroleum industry activities from 1956 to the present day. The study area was the Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve, one of a limited number of Rocky Mountain permafrost sites, located on the summit of Plateau Mountain (2348 to 2500 m asl), near the south end of Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada (50;Three industrial disturbance types were included in the study (road, well site/surface clearing and pipeline), and two levels of disturbance are distinguished (severe and less severe). A transect and point frame sample plot based vegetation inventory was established with transects spanning disturbed and adjacent undisturbed terrain. Sample plots were recorded in undisturbed (15 m from disturbance), near disturbance (5 m from disturbance) and across disturbed terrain, with plot locations depending on disturbance type. The study results (i.e. predominance of native, summit species colonizers, substantial plant cover on disturbed sites, species richness trends, and generally high vegetation community similarity ;Based on analysis of this study's results in conjunction with the literature review, recommendations were developed for reclamation of abandoned and existing disturbances and future industrial activity, ecological reserve management and research initiatives. Recommendations specify for natural revegetation to continue on abandoned sites, enhanced natural recovery processes on existing sites, and protection of the site's ecologically significant features while recognizing public safety issues and adhering to the limitations imposed by the site's ecological reserve designation.