Woody Debris Impacts on Succession during Oil Sands Reclamation

This study evaluates the use of woody debris to improve land reclamation in Alberta’s Oil Sands Region, where boreal forests are degraded by mining. It examines how debris type, size, and volume affect plant growth, soil development, and nutrient cycling on reclaimed sites. Conducted on a five-year-old site near Fort McMurray, the research confirms woody debris as a cost-effective and ecologically beneficial reclamation method.

Fieldwork and lab analysis from 2011–2012 show that LFH-mineral soil mix supports better woody plant growth and native species than peat-mineral soil mix, which tends to favor weeds. Soil properties differ between treatments, with each mix showing strengths in different nutrients. Woody debris type, size, and volume significantly influence vegetation richness and soil development. Early findings suggest that woody debris promotes ecological succession and enhances reclamation success.