Monitoring ecological recovery of reclaimed wellsites: Protocols for quantifying recovery on forested lands

Abstract

We developed a scientifically robust and financially sustainable monitoring protocol to enable a consistent assessment of ecological recovery of physical, chemical, and biological indicators at certified reclaimed industrial wellsites in forested lands in noutheastern Alberta. Using the developed protocols, data can be generated from measurement of soil, vegetation, and landscape indicators at reclaimed wellsites and adjacent reference sites. We selected the appropriate vegetation, soil, and habitat indicators for a long-term reclamation monitoring program and have provided sampling protocols for the selected indicators here. The protocols may be used to identify and prioritize indicators of reduced ecosystem health and to track ecological recovery of reclaimed sites over time. The development of these integrated monitoring protocols is a first step towards successful and consistent long-term monitoring to assess ecological recovery of certified wellsites in Alberta. These protocols can be applied to wellsites and other similar sized disturbances in other forested regions too.

Keywords: Boreal forest; Ecological recovery; Monitoring protocol; Reclaimed wellsites; Soil sampling; Vegetation sampling.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Sampling layout of wellsites and adjacent reference areas. Nested square plots and pigtail placement for the 5 × 5 m (green), 10 × 10 m (pink), and 25 × 25 m (blue) plots, which are located within the four quadrants of the wellsite, and the area surrounding each of the reference area plots, which are also referred to as a quadrant. Pigtail placements for plots including in the 25 × 25 m square plot that includes the DWD transect. Note: plots are not drawn to exact scale.

Fig. 2

Soil parameters are sampled within the 10 × 10 m plots identified in the diagram.

Fig. 3

Sampling layout for repeat sampling within each 10 × 10 m plot on the wellsite and reference sites. Each colour represents a different sampling interval, for a total of 10 sampling intervals.

Fig. 4

AMS Inc. double-cylinder, drop-hammer soil core sampler.

Fig. 5

Soil sampling tools. Left – Dutch auger and Right – Bucket auger.

Fig. 6

More detailed scale of 5 × 5 m, 10 × 10 m, and 25 × 25 m plot sampling. Shrub and 2-D cover are measured in the 5 × 5 m plots (shaded in grey) identified in the figure.

Fig. 7

Locations of the 0.5 × 0.5 m quadrats where vegetation is sampled at the species × height strata level. Note that the wellsite centre 0.5 × 0.5 m plots are always in the B and D quadrants.

Fig. 8

Layout of survey to identify vascular plant richness within the wellsite and reference areas.

Fig. 9

Detailed layout of 5 × 5 m, 10 × 10 m, and 25 × 25 m tree, snag, and stump sampling.

Fig. 10

Tree, snag, and stump plot layout of wellsites and adjacent reference areas delineating the 3 different plot types. The 5 × 5 m square plot is located in the quadrant of the 10 × 10 m square plot that is closest to the wellsite plot centre (see Fig. 9).

Fig. 11

Visual representation of decay stages for snags and stumps.

Fig. 13

View of densiometer mirror. Placement of observer’s head and the 37 cross-hairs are shown. In this example there are 12 out of 37 cross-hairs that are open. Note: ignore the dots in the diagram as they are not relevant for the way that we are recording cover data. Diagram Diagram taken from Shuett-Hames et al.

Fig. 12

Location of points where canopy cover is measured. Black dots show measurement points.

Fig. 14

Delineation of sampling of small (SWD), and coarse woody debris (CWD) along 25 m transects for a) wellsite transects and b) for reference site transects.

Fig. 15

Transect locations where DWD is sampled in the wellsite and reference sites – transects are highlighted in brown.

Fig. 16

Visual representation of decay stages for coarse woody debris. Only Classes 1–4 are recorded.