NSERC Oil Sands Wetland Reclamation Research

The NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Oil Sands Wetland Reclamation facilitates research projects that develop scientific knowledge around restoration of wetlands after oil sands mining activities. These projects are the result of a partnership between the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), COSIA, member companies, and academic institutions. Key focus areas include: wetland plant community composition and productivity, wetland surface water dynamics, and patterns in macroinvertebrate community composition.

This resource includes projects from 2022 to 2025: three master’s theses, one draft master’s thesis, and one published article. Findings of these studies reveal how reclaimed wetlands differ from reference sites in terms of hydrology, vegetation composition, and aquatic invertebrate communities, with salinity and water permanence highlighted as key ecological drivers. For specific conclusions, see the results of each paper.