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Revegetation of disturbed lands: establishing native plant communities on borrow pits in northern Manitoba

Authors: McDonald, Tess M.;

Revegetation of disturbed lands: establishing native plant communities on borrow pits in northern Manitoba

Abstract

The historical occurrence of hydroelectric development in northern Manitoba has resulted in disturbed areas without vegetative cover within the boreal forest. These disturbed areas exhibit conditions detrimental to restoration, including compacted soil lacking in nutrients, and organic matter and possessing low water-holding capacities. Northern climate conditions and short growing seasons further inhibit recovery potential. The study objective was to develop a strategy for encouraging self-sustaining native plant communities on borrow areas in northern Manitoba. Using fertilizer and mycorrhizal inoculations, seeding, transplants and cuttings were carried out using locally sourced plant species. Soil nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter content, pH and electrical conductivity were analyzed for differences among treatments and the surrounding undisturbed forest to determine the impacts of material extraction on the land. Plant number, height, leaf area, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll a + b and total proteins as a proxy for stress were used to determine plant suitability for revegetation. Additionally, the height of trees planted by Manitoba Hydro and monitoring of the natural revegetation were performed over the duration of the experiment. Results of this study show transplantation as the most effective planting method due to the lower survival of seeds and cuttings. Successful establishment of Fragaria virginiana and Rubus idaeus transplants was observed. Inorganic fertilizer application resulted in increased leaf area and height of some species. Soil nutrients were significantly higher in fertilized plots although no significant differences were identified in the number or stress of plants between treatments. Differences in soil nitrogen, phosphorus and pH were found between the borrow pits and undisturbed forested areas. Inoculation with Oidiodendron maius increased survival of transplanted Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Natural revegetation increased with additions of woody debris on site. This research provides information for recommendations of site preparation and amendments required for revegetation efforts that can be implemented across borrow areas in northern boreal ecosystems.

Country
Canada
Keywords

Revegetation, Soil, Reclamation, Seeding, Transplant, Native species

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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