Boreal peatlands of Alberta (Canada) are heavily dissected by a large network of linear disturbances, including seismic lines used for Oil and Gas exploration. Edge effects resulting from these linear disturbances can increase their footprint and affect wildlife habitat, including the quality and quantity of plant and lichen forage. In 2012, seismic line restoration became a priority in Alberta, under the realm of restoration of habitat of threatened boreal woodland caribou. More accurate understanding of biotic and abiotic interactions leading to edge effects can be important in choosing appropriate restoration practices and prompting natural regeneration. We assessed the extent of edge effects of seismic lines on the adjacent boreal peatland near Peace River, northwestern Alberta. We compared plant and lichen community composition and environmental conditions on seismic lines and along 22 transects, which extended perpendicularly 75 m into the peatland from both lines edges. Soil moisture and light were higher on the lines, but frozen ground was less frequent than in the adjacent peatland. Seismic lines were also subsided by approximately 1.2 cm. Lichens were less abundant in the 2–25 m zone from the edge—indicating edge effects. On the lines, Sphagnum constituted a nearly 100% cover while lichens, trees, herbs, and other bryophytes were less abundant than in the peatland. We demonstrate how knowledge of edge effects on plants and lichens could be applied in assessing caribou habitat quality based on forage availability and predation risk, and how such knowledge could inform restoration practices of seismic lines in peatlands.

中文翻译：

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地震线边缘效应对阿尔伯塔省西北部北方泥炭地植物、地衣及其环境条件的影响（加拿大）

阿尔伯塔省（加拿大）的北方泥炭地被大型线性扰动网络严重剖析，包括用于石油和天然气勘探的地震线。这些线性干扰产生的边缘效应会增加它们的足迹并影响野生动物栖息地，包括植物和地衣草料的质量和数量。2012 年，在受威胁的北方林地驯鹿栖息地恢复领域，地震线恢复成为阿尔伯塔省的优先事项。更准确地了解导致边缘效应的生物和非生物相互作用对于选择适当的恢复实践和促进自然再生非常重要。我们评估了艾伯塔省西北部和平河附近相邻北方泥炭地的地震线边缘效应的程度。我们比较了地震线上和沿 22 个样带的植物和地衣群落组成和环境条件，这些样带从两条线边缘垂直延伸到泥炭地 75 m。线路上的土壤水分和光照较高，但冻土的频率低于邻近的泥炭地。地震线也下沉了大约 1.2 厘米。在距离边缘 2-25 m 区域的地衣较少，表明边缘效应。线上，在距离边缘 2-25 m 区域的地衣较少，表明边缘效应。线上，在距离边缘 2-25 m 区域的地衣较少，表明边缘效应。线上，泥炭藓覆盖率接近 100%，而地衣、树木、草本植物和其他苔藓植物则不如泥炭地丰富。我们展示了如何将边缘效应对植物和地衣的知识应用于基于草料可用性和捕食风险评估驯鹿栖息地质量，以及这些知识如何为泥炭地地震线的恢复实践提供信息。