Assessing the cumulative impact of wildland fires and seismic line disturbance on peatlands in northern Alberta
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Date
2021
Authors
Enayetullah, Humaira
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Geography and Environment
Abstract
This thesis examined the impact of wildland fires and seismic line
fragmentation on peatlands in northern Alberta. The objectives were to determine if
wildland fires alter regeneration trajectories of conifer vs deciduous species and lead
towards the regeneration of woody vegetation adjacent to seismic lines. Multi-spectral
lidar data were collected for a boreal peatland chronosequence of 5, 18, 30, and 38 years
since fire (YSF) and were compared with areas that had not burned to quantify changes in
the post-fire distribution of shrubs and trees.
The results illustrated that there was high shrub regeneration in peatlands up to
and including 38 YSF and trees tended to grow above shrubs by 18 YSF. Wildland fires
promoted woody vegetation regeneration adjacent to seismic lines with taller deciduous
trees and conifers found in mature post-fire peatlands (30 to 38 YSF). However,
fens were more vulnerable to seismic line fragmentation and had less post-fire
regeneration compared to bogs.
Description
Keywords
Dissertations, Academic , Climatic changes -- Alberta , Fragmented landscapes , Peatland ecology -- Alberta , Peatland forestry -- Alberta , Peatlands -- Alberta , Wildfires -- Alberta