|
Research
Our field-based research takes place in both pristine and impacted watersheds and wetlands of the Boreal Plains ecozone in Alberta and the Boreal Shield ecozone in Ontario. We adopt an integrative watershed-ecosystem science approach by combining watershed hydrology, whole-ecosystem field experiments, and ecohydrological modelling to determine the effects of wildfire, drought, and natural resource development on boreal wetland ecosystems. We are also developing innovative ecosystem adaptation, reclamation and restoration strategies to mitigate the impacts of land-use and climate-mediated disturbance in sensitive moss dominated wetlands such as peatlands and rock barrens vernal pools. |
|
Peatland Wildfire Ecohydrology
Wildfire represents the largest single impact on boreal peatlands. We are examining the ecohydrological controls on wildfire ignition, behaviour and combustion in peatlands and are examining how ecohydrological function recovers following wildfire. We are examining how peat burn severity is impacted by groundwater connectivity at our Alberta sites by measuring the radiation, energy and water balance at several forested bogs located in different hydrogeolgical settings. Nearby hydrological measurements provide insight on how the water and energy cycles interact. We are determining the post-wildfire hydrological status of peatlands to examine the hydrological processes controlling Sphagnum moss recovery. Through a series of peat fire ignition tests, moss hydrophysical properties measurements and the parameterization of our peat smouldering and ignition model, we are developing a new peat moisture code and models to predict peat depth of burn under land-use change and climate change scenarios.
Wildfire represents the largest single impact on boreal peatlands. We are examining the ecohydrological controls on wildfire ignition, behaviour and combustion in peatlands and are examining how ecohydrological function recovers following wildfire. We are examining how peat burn severity is impacted by groundwater connectivity at our Alberta sites by measuring the radiation, energy and water balance at several forested bogs located in different hydrogeolgical settings. Nearby hydrological measurements provide insight on how the water and energy cycles interact. We are determining the post-wildfire hydrological status of peatlands to examine the hydrological processes controlling Sphagnum moss recovery. Through a series of peat fire ignition tests, moss hydrophysical properties measurements and the parameterization of our peat smouldering and ignition model, we are developing a new peat moisture code and models to predict peat depth of burn under land-use change and climate change scenarios.
Moss Ecophysiology and Primary Peat Formation
Sphagnum mosses are non-vascular plants, and lack vascular water-transporting systems or stomata that can be closed to limit water stress. Instead, Sphagnum mosses have developed passive controls on water storage whereby hyaline cells retain moisture for physiological processes, along with capillary water in the interstitial spaces between stems and pendant branches of individuals. In particular, species that dominate higher elevation hummocks have stronger water retention characteristics than hollow species. We are using a combination of peatland scale water table manipulations, laboratory moss ecophysiology experiments and primary peat production on rock barrens studies to examine the effect of pore-water pressure on Sphagnum stress and productivity on peatlands and vernal rock pools in Ontario's near-north rock barrens.
Sphagnum mosses are non-vascular plants, and lack vascular water-transporting systems or stomata that can be closed to limit water stress. Instead, Sphagnum mosses have developed passive controls on water storage whereby hyaline cells retain moisture for physiological processes, along with capillary water in the interstitial spaces between stems and pendant branches of individuals. In particular, species that dominate higher elevation hummocks have stronger water retention characteristics than hollow species. We are using a combination of peatland scale water table manipulations, laboratory moss ecophysiology experiments and primary peat production on rock barrens studies to examine the effect of pore-water pressure on Sphagnum stress and productivity on peatlands and vernal rock pools in Ontario's near-north rock barrens.
Peatland and Vernal Rock Pool Ecosystem Restoration
We are developing innovative approaches to rehabilitate and restore degraded moss dominated peatlands and vernal rock pools to functional ecosystems. We have established a method for the re-establishment of Sphagnum mosses on degraded peatlands and open rock barrens. Our innovative method consists of re-establishing the hydrological regime of the impacted wetland, harvesting plants in a peatland and spreading them as fragments or peat blocks in the impacted sites, and covering them over with mulch to protect them. With this human intervention, a widespread moss cover can be obtained within three to five years on abandoned mined sites depending on local conditions. The goal of our restoration and reclamation is to restore the net carbon sink function of managed peatlands and to re-establish habitat for species at risk in vernal rock pools in Ontario rock barrens.
We are developing innovative approaches to rehabilitate and restore degraded moss dominated peatlands and vernal rock pools to functional ecosystems. We have established a method for the re-establishment of Sphagnum mosses on degraded peatlands and open rock barrens. Our innovative method consists of re-establishing the hydrological regime of the impacted wetland, harvesting plants in a peatland and spreading them as fragments or peat blocks in the impacted sites, and covering them over with mulch to protect them. With this human intervention, a widespread moss cover can be obtained within three to five years on abandoned mined sites depending on local conditions. The goal of our restoration and reclamation is to restore the net carbon sink function of managed peatlands and to re-establish habitat for species at risk in vernal rock pools in Ontario rock barrens.
Oil Sands Watershed Reclamation
Our reclamation research at the Utikuma Lake Research Study Area (URSA) provides our industrial partners with an understanding of the ecohydrology and hydrogeology of natural ecosystems in order to guide reclamation on Oil Sands leases. Over the last 15 years, research at URSA has provided the most comprehensive understanding of watershed hydrology in Alberta's Boreal Plains and is currently being implemented in several reclamation strategies. In May of 2011, a large (>80,000 ha) wildfire at URSA provided an opportunity to expand our research on natural analogs. Because wildfire and mining result in predominantly dry and non-vegetated surfaces, the ecohydrological processes that control recovery and ecosystem resilience are similar between burned and mined sites. For this reason, our study of post-fire recovery in natural analogs is successfully advancing the effectiveness of current reclamation strategies.
Our reclamation research at the Utikuma Lake Research Study Area (URSA) provides our industrial partners with an understanding of the ecohydrology and hydrogeology of natural ecosystems in order to guide reclamation on Oil Sands leases. Over the last 15 years, research at URSA has provided the most comprehensive understanding of watershed hydrology in Alberta's Boreal Plains and is currently being implemented in several reclamation strategies. In May of 2011, a large (>80,000 ha) wildfire at URSA provided an opportunity to expand our research on natural analogs. Because wildfire and mining result in predominantly dry and non-vegetated surfaces, the ecohydrological processes that control recovery and ecosystem resilience are similar between burned and mined sites. For this reason, our study of post-fire recovery in natural analogs is successfully advancing the effectiveness of current reclamation strategies.
Peatland Hydrological Impacts Modelling
Hydrological modelling allows us to integrate much of the primary research from the McMaster Ecohydrology Group in peatland disturbance response, and peatland/watershed reclamation. It is also an effective tool for testing our understanding of ecohydrological processes in order to better understand peatland resilience. To that end, we are developing the innovative peatland hydrological impacts (PHI) model which incorporates many of the hydrological and ecological feedbacks which generally make peatlands resilient to disturbance. The model framework allows us to assess the importance of individual feedbacks in regulating peatland hydrology, as well the impact of uncertainty in both model parameterization and weather simulation (past, current, and/or future). Our aim is to use these models to quantify ecohydrological resilience to various disturbances to enhance reclamation and adaptation strategies.
Hydrological modelling allows us to integrate much of the primary research from the McMaster Ecohydrology Group in peatland disturbance response, and peatland/watershed reclamation. It is also an effective tool for testing our understanding of ecohydrological processes in order to better understand peatland resilience. To that end, we are developing the innovative peatland hydrological impacts (PHI) model which incorporates many of the hydrological and ecological feedbacks which generally make peatlands resilient to disturbance. The model framework allows us to assess the importance of individual feedbacks in regulating peatland hydrology, as well the impact of uncertainty in both model parameterization and weather simulation (past, current, and/or future). Our aim is to use these models to quantify ecohydrological resilience to various disturbances to enhance reclamation and adaptation strategies.