Boreal Ecosystem Recovery and Assessment (BERA) (Multiple projects)

Alberta’s boreal region faces widespread environmental impacts from resource extraction activities such as roads, seismic lines, and forestry operations. These disturbances affect vegetation, wildlife, hydrology, and carbon cycles. The BERA project brings together researchers and organizations across sectors to study these impacts and develop strategies for ecosystem restoration. Its efforts aim to support forest resilience amid growing pressures from industrial development and climate change.

To date, the BERA project has produced over 40 peer reviewed papers investigating the impacts of resource extraction on boreal forests, and best practices for monitoring and restoration. These findings are used by land managers to inform decision making. Advancements in remote sensing and drone imagery were used to predict seismic line recovery, and forest recovery was enhanced through mounding techniques. Monitoring of extraction sites included alterations to animal behaviour post-disturbance, effects of wildfire, and impacts on soil properties.