The oil sands industry has been, and continues to be, an important economic driver of the Alberta and Canadian economies and associated activities continue to modify large tracts of land in the boreal forest of northeastern Alberta. To mitigate disturbances following extraction, industry is required, by approvals, to progressively reclaim, establish native boreal plant species and create functional, self– sustaining ecosystems.
This document comprises a literature review of best practices for seed of 16 native boreal shrub species. Three areas are reviewed for each species that are vital to the effective and efficient use of seed resources:
- Assessment of viability of seed lot
- Treatments to overcome dormancy and conditions for optimizing germination
- Conditions to optimize seed storage and longevity
This review compiles accounts from disparate sources regarding species commonly used in oil sands revegetation.