Presented by Meike Lemmer, PhD, Research Scientist at University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf
Dr. Meika Lemmer's research studied several peatland restoration approaches following the in situ oil sands well pad disturbances in the Peace River and Cold Lake Oil Sands regions in Alberta, Canada. In the early 2000’s, several approaches of ecological peatland restoration following in situ oil extraction had been tested, including the complete and partial removal of the in situ well pad’s mineral soil, as well as the planting of specific vegetation or natural ingress of plant species. The aim of their work was to evaluate the peatland restoration by assessing the vegetation communities, biogeochemistry, and the return of peatland specific functions, specifically the carbon sequestration function, ten years post restoration. Species composition, the communities’ flux exchange of carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and the peat accumulation in the restored areas at two decommissioned in situ oil sands well pads near Peace River and Cold Lake, a control area, as well as 28 reference areas were investigated. In this webinar, Dr. Lemmer will share the results of their work and discuss suggestions for peatland restoration in the in situ Oil Sands Regions.