Download or read book The Aftermath of Novel Peatland Restoration Following in Situ Oil and Gas Infrastructure Disturbances written by Meike Lemmer and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Boreal peatlands in the Oil Sands regions of Alberta are subject to vast disturbances and pollution caused by the in situ oil and gas extraction industry. At the same time, peatlands are recognized as enormous carbon (C) storing ecosystems that need protection during times of enhanced greenhouse gas emissions and ongoing anthropogenically-caused global warming. Starting in 2015, the Alberta Government released new regulations that aim at the conservation and protection of peatlands following disturbance by in situ oil and gas infrastructure via the restoration of an "equivalent land capability". The obligatory ecological restoration aims at the reestablishment of primary peatland functions, such as peat accumulation and C sequestration. First trials to restore peatlands following in situ oil sands well pad disturbances started in the early 2000's and until this day little research on the success of the various restoration techniques has been done. The aim of this dissertation is therefore the evaluation of different peatland restoration techniques following in situ oil sands well pad disturbances, via the assessment of the restored peatland's vegetation communities and functions, in particular the peat accumulation potential and return of C sequestration. Three sub-objectives focussed on the development of peatland characteristic plant species, the plant organic matter production and decomposition, the biogeochemistry and carbon sequestration. The study took place seven to 10 years post-restoration. Research sites were two decommissioned in situ oil sands well pads located in the Peace River and Cold Lake Oil Sands regions in northern Alberta. For this study, we selected five restored peatland areas, one unrestored control area of an in situ well pad, and 28 undisturbed reference wetlands. The evaluation of the restoration techniques included the complete removal of the in situ well pad's construction materials (CR), the partial removal of the well pad's mineral fill to 15 cm (PR15) above the water table level (WTL), to 5 cm above the WTL (PR5), and to near the WTL of the adjacent undisturbed fen ecosystem (PR0). Revegetation happened either spontaneously via natural ingress or was managed by active planting of vascular species, in particular Carex aquatilis, Larix laricina, and Salix lutea. Throughout the two-year study period, we measured the abundance, diversity, and richness of emerging plant communities, the net primary productivity (NPP) and litter decay, as well as net ecosystem exchange (NEE) via carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange, and methane (CH4) emissions. Furthermore, we measured environmental factors, such as WTL, soil and water chemistry and nutrient concentrations. In CR, a shallow open water area had formed with mostly spontaneously colonizing floating aquatic species and marsh-like vegetation in the periphery. This type of vegetation was measured to be a C source, where CH4 was released via aerenchyma. Biomass production and peat accumulation was observed marginal, except in a floating brown moss carpet. As a result, CR was observed to have an enhanced global warming potential, due to the positive C balance, where more C was released to the atmosphere than was taken up by the pedosphere. At PR15 and PR5, which were subject to plant species introduction, we found the lowest species diversity and richness among restored peatlands. Too dry conditions, with low WTL below the surface, turned PR5 and PR15 into carbon sources with increased global warming potential, due to the release of CO2 to the atmosphere. High biomass production was neutralized by an equally high decay rate resulting in low peat accumulation potentials. There was a positive relationship between shrub cover and net carbon uptake. We observed PR0, which was spontaneously revegetated by natural migration of diaspores, to develop fen characteristic vegetation with the highest plant species diversity and richness compared to other restored areas. Either dominant bryophyte cover or shrub vegetation helped contribute to the greatest peat accumulation potential compared to the other study areas. The WTL at the surface was a significant factor for returning a C sink function in the same restored area. Results indicate that the benefit of the complete removal of a former in situ oil sands well pad is negligible, and that ecological peatland restoration can be achieved with the partial removal of the mineral fill. Also, hydrological connectivity to undisturbed adjacent fen ecosystems is the most important limiting factor for the development vegetation communities characteristic of peatlands and resume peat accumulation and C uptake. Furthermore, the physical proximity to the respective diaspore bank is believed to facilitate and accelerate spontaneous natural migration of diverse plant species even on a residual mineral soil. Active plant introduction did not prove to have significant effects on diversification and enrichment of peatland characteristic plant communities.
Download or read book Assessing Wetland Restoration Success and the Restoration of Peatland Vegetation Following Disturbance written by Shannon Lee Fergie and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Conserving Bogs written by Rob E. Stoneman and published by Stationery Office Books (TSO). This book was released on 1997 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bogs are fascinating landscapes for ecologists, climatologists, archaeologists, environmental historians and water managers. But many bogs have been damaged, and legislative protection - as 29 case studies demonstrate - is not enough to conserve the rest.
Download or read book The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate written by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2022-04-30 with total page 755 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for assessing the science related to climate change. It provides policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of human-induced climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. This IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate is the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the observed and projected changes to the ocean and cryosphere and their associated impacts and risks, with a focus on resilience, risk management response options, and adaptation measures, considering both their potential and limitations. It brings together knowledge on physical and biogeochemical changes, the interplay with ecosystem changes, and the implications for human communities. It serves policymakers, decision makers, stakeholders, and all interested parties with unbiased, up-to-date, policy-relevant information. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Download or read book The Regional Impacts of Climate Change written by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Working Group II. and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1998 with total page 532 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cambridge, UK : Cambridge University Press, 1998.
Download or read book Wetland Carbon and Environmental Management written by Ken W. Krauss and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2021-11-23 with total page 484 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explores how the management of wetlands can influence carbon storage and fluxes. Wetlands are vital natural assets, including their ability to take-up atmospheric carbon and restrict subsequent carbon loss to facilitate long-term storage. They can be deliberately managed to provide a natural solution to mitigate climate change, as well as to help offset direct losses of wetlands from various land-use changes and natural drivers. Wetland Carbon and Environmental Management presents a collection of wetland research studies from around the world to demonstrate how environmental management can improve carbon sequestration while enhancing wetland health and function. Volume highlights include: Overview of carbon storage in the landscape Introduction to wetland management practices Comparisons of natural, managed, and converted wetlands Impact of wetland management on carbon storage or loss Techniques for scientific assessment of wetland carbon processes Case studies covering tropical, coastal, inland, and northern wetlands Primer for carbon offset trading programs and how wetlands might contribute The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity.Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.
Download or read book The Canadian Wetland Classification System written by and published by . This book was released on 1987 with total page 18 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A classification system for Canadian wetlands based on the collective expertise and research of scientists across Canada. The system is provisional and subject to revision in future editions.
Download or read book Tropical Peatland Ecosystems written by Mitsuru Osaki and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-12-07 with total page 633 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is an excellent resource for scientists, political decision makers, and students interested in the impact of peatlands on climate change and ecosystem function, containing a plethora of recent research results such as monitoring-sensing-modeling for carbon–water flux/storage, biodiversity and peatland management in tropical regions. It is estimated that more than 23 million hectares (62 %) of the total global tropical peatland area are located in Southeast Asia, in lowland or coastal areas of East Sumatra, Kalimantan, West Papua, Papua New Guinea, Brunei, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Southeast Thailand. Tropical peatland has a vital carbon–water storage function and is host to a huge diversity of plant and animal species. Peatland ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to climate change and the impacts of human activities such as logging, drainage and conversion to agricultural land. In Southeast Asia, severe episodic droughts associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, in combination with over-drainage, forest degradation, and land-use changes, have caused widespread peatland fires and microbial peat oxidation. Indonesia's 20 Mha peatland area is estimated to include about 45–55 GtC of carbon stocks. As a result of land use and development, Indonesia is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases (2–3 Gtons carbon dioxide equivalent per year), 80 % of which is due to deforestation and peatland loss. Thus, tropical peatlands are key ecosystems in terms of the carbon–water cycle and climate change.
Download or read book Biogeochemistry of Wetlands written by K. Ramesh Reddy and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2022-09-10 with total page 926 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The globally important nature of wetland ecosystems has led to their increased protection and restoration as well as their use in engineered systems. Underpinning the beneficial functions of wetlands are a unique suite of physical, chemical, and biological processes that regulate elemental cycling in soils and the water column. This book provides an in-depth coverage of these wetland biogeochemical processes related to the cycling of macroelements including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, secondary and trace elements, and toxic organic compounds. In this synthesis, the authors combine more than 100 years of experience studying wetlands and biogeochemistry to look inside the black box of elemental transformations in wetland ecosystems. This new edition is updated throughout to include more topics and provide an integrated view of the coupled nature of biogeochemical cycles in wetland systems. The influence of the elemental cycles is discussed at a range of scales in the context of environmental change including climate, sea level rise, and water quality. Frequent examples of key methods and major case studies are also included to help the reader extend the basic theories for application in their own system. Some of the major topics discussed are: Flooded soil and sediment characteristics Aerobic-anaerobic interfaces Redox chemistry in flooded soil and sediment systems Anaerobic microbial metabolism Plant adaptations to reducing conditions Regulators of organic matter decomposition and accretion Major nutrient sources and sinks Greenhouse gas production and emission Elemental flux processes Remediation of contaminated soils and sediments Coupled C-N-P-S processes Consequences of environmental change in wetlands# The book provides the foundation for a basic understanding of key biogeochemical processes and its applications to solve real world problems. It is detailed, but also assists the reader with box inserts, artfully designed diagrams, and summary tables all supported by numerous current references. This book is an excellent resource for senior undergraduates and graduate students studying ecosystem biogeochemistry with a focus in wetlands and aquatic systems.
Download or read book Wetland Ecosystems written by William J. Mitsch and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2009-04-13 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: New focused text introduces readers to wetland ecosystems and systems approaches to studying wetlands With its comprehensive coverage of wetland science, management, and restoration, Mitsch and Gosselink's Wetlands has been the premier reference on wetlands for more than two decades. Now, the coverage of specific wetland ecosystem types from earlier editions of this acclaimed work has been updated, revised, and supplemented with additional content in order to create this new text focusing exclusively on wetland ecosystems. This book now complements Wetlands, Fourth Edition. Following an introduction to ecosystems in general and wetland ecosystems in particular, Wetland Ecosystems examines the major types of wetlands found throughout the world: coastal wetlands, freshwater marshes and forested swamps, and peatlands. The final chapter reviews three fundamental systems approaches to studying wetlands: mesocosms, full-scale experimental ecosystems, and mathematical modeling. This new text features: Updated descriptions of the hydrology, biogeochemistry, and biology of the main types of wetlands found in the world New content introducing general ecosystems, wetland ecosystems, whole ecosystem and mesocosm experiments with wetlands, and systems ecology and modeling A detailed description of the ecosystem services provided by wetlands A broad international scope, including many examples of wetlands located outside North America Two new coauthors offering new perspectives and additional insights into the latest ecosystem and modeling techniques An abundance of illustrations helps readers understand how different biological communities and the abiotic environment in wetland ecosystems interact and function. Tables and text boxes provide at-a-glance summaries of key information. Lastly, each chapter concludes with a list of recommended readings. This text has been designed as an introduction for students and professionals in wetland ecology and management, general ecology, environmental science, and natural resource management.
Download or read book Boreal Peatland Ecosystems written by R.K. Wieder and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2006-10-16 with total page 448 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first truly ecosystem-oriented book on peatlands. It adopts an ecosystems approach to understanding the world's boreal peatlands. The focus is on biogeochemical patterns and processes, production, decomposition, and peat accumulation, and it provides additional information on animal and fungal diversity. A recurring theme is the legacy of boreal peatlands as impressive accumulators of carbon as peat over millennia.
Download or read book Ecological Responses to the 1980 Eruption of Mount St Helens written by Virginia H. Dale and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2006-01-16 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens caused tragic loss of life and property, but also created a unique opportunity to study a huge disturbance of natural systems and their subsequent responses. This book synthesizes 25 years of ecological research into of volcanic activity, and shows what actually happens when a volcano erupts, what the immediate and long-term dangers are, and how life reasserts itself in the environment.
Download or read book Novel Ecosystems written by Richard J. Hobbs and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2013-01-07 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Land conversion, climate change and species invasions are contributing to the widespread emergence of novel ecosystems, which demand a shift in how we think about traditional approaches to conservation, restoration and environmental management. They are novel because they exist without historical precedents and are self-sustaining. Traditional approaches emphasizing native species and historical continuity are challenged by novel ecosystems that deliver critical ecosystems services or are simply immune to practical restorative efforts. Some fear that, by raising the issue of novel ecosystems, we are simply paving the way for a more laissez-faire attitude to conservation and restoration. Regardless of the range of views and perceptions about novel ecosystems, their existence is becoming ever more obvious and prevalent in today’s rapidly changing world. In this first comprehensive volume to look at the ecological, social, cultural, ethical and policy dimensions of novel ecosystems, the authors argue these altered systems are overdue for careful analysis and that we need to figure out how to intervene in them responsibly. This book brings together researchers from a range of disciplines together with practitioners and policy makers to explore the questions surrounding novel ecosystems. It includes chapters on key concepts and methodologies for deciding when and how to intervene in systems, as well as a rich collection of case studies and perspective pieces. It will be a valuable resource for researchers, managers and policy makers interested in the question of how humanity manages and restores ecosystems in a rapidly changing world. A companion website with additional resources is available at www.wiley.com/go/hobbs/ecosystems
Download or read book Oil Sands and the Keystone XL Pipeline written by Jonathan L. Remseur and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2014-07-15 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If constructed, the Keystone XL pipeline would transport crude oil derived from oil sands sites in Alberta, Canada, to U.S. refineries and other destinations. Because the pipeline would cross an international border, it requires a Presidential Permit.
Download or read book Is Indonesian peatland loss a cautionary tale for Peru A two country comparison of the magnitude and causes of tropical peatland degradation written by Lilleskov, E.A. and published by CIFOR. This book was released on 2019-12-06 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Key messagesIndonesia and Peru harbor some of the largest lowland tropical peatland areas. Indonesian peatlands are subject to much greater anthropogenic activity than Peru's resulting in high GHG and particulate emissions.We explored patterns of impact in both countries and compared predisposing factors. Impacts differ greatly among Indonesian regions and the Peruvian Amazon in the order: Sumatra > Kalimantan > Papua > Peru.All impacts, except fire, are positively related to population density.Current peatland integrity in Peru arises from a confluence of factors that has slowed development, with no absolute barriers protecting Peruvian peatlands from a similar fate to Indonesia's.If the goal is to maintain the integrity of Peruvian peatlands, government policies recognizing unique peatland functions and sensitivities will be necessary.
Download or read book Global Peatland Restoration written by Hans Joosten and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Carbon Cycling in Northern Peatlands written by Andrew J. Baird and published by American Geophysical Union. This book was released on 2009-01-12 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 184. Carbon Cycling in Northern Peatlands examines the role that northern peatlands play in regulating the atmospheric carbon budget. It summarizes current research in four interconnected areas: large-scale peatland dynamics and carbon cycling; plant and microbial dynamics and their effect on carbon fluxes to the atmosphere; methane accumulation in, and loss from, peatlands; and water and dissolved carbon fluxes through peatlands. The volume highlights include A thorough assessment of the challenges involved in incorporating carbon cycling in northern peatlands into global climate models; A conceptual model to examine the partitioning of terminal carbon mineralization into production of CO2 and CH4; A comprehensive review of the evidence for the accumulation of methane in deep and shallow peat; and A description of the hydrologic changes induced by peat harvesting and associated challenges in restoring altered peatlands to their natural hydrologic regime. Carbon Cycling in Northern Peatlands will be of interest to research scientists and graduate and undergraduate students, particularly those who wish to know more about the role of peatlands in the global carbon cycle and their role as modifiers of climate.
