LFH: Reclamation Using Forest Soil Propagule Banks in the Athabasca Oil Sands

This research was initiated in 1998 to determine if the forest soil LFH layer can be used to assist in natural recovery of reclaimed sites in the oil sands. Since forest LFH material is a limited resource, identification of optimal salvage, stockpiling and placement techniques is essential to proper management. Research objectives included determining if saving and replacing the LFH can better recreate native plant communities and determining the most effective procedures for using LFH.

The addition of LFH resulted in better plant establishment and diversity. Research into procedural considerations for using LFH included determining optimal LFH salvage depth, efficacy of propagule burial, amendments for seed germination, stockpiling impacts, and comparisons to peat-mineral mix.