Revegetation assessment of a twelve-year old pipeline on native rangeland in southern Alberta

• Author / Creator

  Ostermann, Deborah K.

• The long-term (11 to 12 years) impact of grazing and pipeline right-of-way (ROW) zone on plant community development was assessed in Dry Mixed Grass, Mixed Grass (Milo) and Fescue Grassland (Porcupine Hills) Ecoregions. Native and non-native seed mix influences on plant community development were assessed in Dry Mixed Grass Ecoregion.

  Grazed plots had significantly higher bare ground and lower crested wheatgrass cover than ungrazed plots. Grazing did not significantly impact plant community or soil properties. Trenching significantly increased rhizomatous grasses and ROW disturbance and generally reduced tufted grasses. Work zone soil had significantly higher penetration resistance than other zones. Bare ground was higher on disturbed zones than undisturbed prairie. At Milo, the trench had significantly higher biomass than other zones. Right-of way did not affect animal use. Native seed mix established more successfully than dryland pasture mix. Seed mix did not significantly affect cover, animal use or productivity.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Revegetation -- Alberta
  • Forest regeneration -- Alberta
  • Pipelines -- Environmental aspects -- Alberta
  • Grazing -- Environmental aspects -- Alberta

• Graduation date

  Fall 2001

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-w3ze-t129

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.