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Skip to Search Results- 1Amoako, Kwaku Akrofi
- 1Archibald, Heather Anne
- 1Batycky, Anya
- 1Baydack, Micki
- 1Bony, Laura
- 1Brown, Nicholas
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Influence of Environmental and Site Factors and Biotic Interactions on Vegetation Development Following Surface Mine Reclamation Using Coversoil Salvaged From Forest Sites
DownloadSpring 2017
Industrial activities such as surface mining are responsible for disturbing large areas of forest land. Reclamation methods must facilitate the development of soil, of a diverse natural understory plant community, and of a tree canopy. In my thesis research, I examined the response of vegetation...
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Fall 2016
Re-establishment of appropriate vegetation communities is an important aspect of successful forest reclamation as they contribute to various ecosystem functions. In my research I explore how different coversoil materials (salvaged forest floor (FFM) and peat material), their placement depths, and...
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Impacts of a six year old pipeline right of way on Halimolobos virgata (Nutt.) O.E. Schulz (slender mouse ear cress), native dry mixedgrass prairie uplands, and wetlands
DownloadSpring 2016
Reclamation of native prairie ecosystems is of growing importance as they continue to be impacted by anthropogenic disturbances. Since European settlement, Alberta grasslands have declined by 61 %. Grasslands are agriculturally important, act as a carbon sink, and many species depend upon them....
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Spring 2016
Reclamation of northern disturbances is of increasing importance as industrial activities and associated infrastructure expands to accommodate growing human reliance on world ecosystems. Bryophytes are recognized as ecologically essential to northern ecosystems and effectively promoting their...
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Mining the communicative flow: Communication and social learning in the reclamation of the ‘Vista Coal Mine’ project in Alberta, Canada
DownloadSpring 2016
In the development and approval of new extractive resource industry projects in or close to communities, it is necessary to explore if and how communication and social networks surrounding these projects offer a platform for collaborative debate and knowledge formation. In doing so, we can better...
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Persistence of subsoiling effects on the soil physical and hydraulic properties in a reconstructed soil
DownloadSpring 2016
Surface mining is one of the most significant forms of anthropogenic disturbance to natural and managed ecosystems. In Alberta, mining disturbs large areas in the Mixedwood Boreal natural region and recovery is often slow because of poor soil quality, specifically the high degree of compaction....
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Effects of Biochar, Fertilizer and Shelter Treatments on the Vegetation Development following Coal Mine Reclamation
DownloadFall 2016
Poor quality cover soil, a lack of propagules, and availability of suitable microsites can be serious challenges in the re-vegetation success of surface mines. In my thesis research, I examined the response of total cover, species richness and community composition of colonizing vegetation on a...
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Fall 2015
Assessment of microbial community development is required to determine the success of reclamation process on disturbed land after mining. Peat (PMM) or LFH mineral soil mix (LFH) is used as capping material in reclamation. Application of coarse woody debris (CWD) also facilitates reclamation by...
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Influence of Amendments and Soil Depth on Available Nutrients and Microbial Dynamics in Contrasting Topsoil Materials Used for Oil Sands Reclamation
DownloadFall 2015
As of December 2013, the cumulative area disturbed by oil sands mining in NE Alberta was 896 km2 out of an estimated final footprint of 4,800 km2 – all of which will require reclamation. Expensive handling costs and scarce soil resources necessitate judicious management and application of...
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Water availability and understory influence on tree growth in reclaimed forest ecosystems, Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canada
DownloadFall 2015
Reclaimed forest ecosystems in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) have limiting factors to growth that can result in poor tree performance, as indicated by stunted growth, foliar discolouration and needle dropping, and ultimately threaten reclamation success. Indicators of reclamation success...