Data from: Creating fen initiation conditions: a new approach for peatland reclamation in the oil sands region of Alberta

Reclaiming peatland ecosystems is challenging our understanding of how to rebuild functioning landscapes. Assisted succession may provide a practical approach to guide the reestablishment of peatlands in denuded landscapes. In Alberta, the majority of peatlands began as fens during the paludification process. This research focuses on creating fen initiation conditions to establish fen moss species on mineral sediment as an approach for peatland reclamation in the oil sands region. In a field mesocosm experiment, we evaluated the establishment of five common fen mosses (Drepanocladus aduncus, Ptychostomum (Bryum) pseudotriquetrum, Campylium stellatum, Tomentypnum nitens, and Aulacomnium palustre) introduced in equal proportions to clay loam. To determine the optimal hydrologic conditions for the establishment of each species, we tested four water levels (0, -10, -20, and -30 cm). We created vegetation types similar to those identified at the peat–mineral interface in peat profiles to determine the effect of herbaceous plant, low shrub, and wood-strand mulch cover treatments on moss establishment. Three seasons after introduction, total moss cover averaged 40%, and was greatest under all cover treatments and at the 0 cm water level. Total moss biomass averaged 95.5 g m−2 in moss introduction mesocosms and was greatest under low shrubs and herbaceous plants and at the 0 cm and -30 cm water levels. Fen moss species distribution was significantly influenced by water table depth. Drepanocladus aduncus and Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum were most common at 0 cm and Aulacomnium palustre and Tomentypnum nitens at -30 cm. In this approach, we created vegetation types similar to those found on mineral sediments at the base of Alberta peat cores and successfully established distinct fen moss communities along a water table gradient and under shade cover. Introducing a suite of fen moss species that inhabit a range of hydrologic niches under low shrubs or herbaceous plants improves moss establishment. Synthesis and applications. Our research shows that it is possible to create fen initiation conditions on clay loam sediment by introducing foundation moss and vascular plant species at optimal water levels. Restoring the community structure and biomass accumulation that occurs in the initial stages of fen development appears to be a suitable target for peatland reclamation. These methods introduce a practical strategy to reclaim peatlands in the heavily impacted oil sands region of Alberta.

恢复泥炭地（peatland）生态系统的实践，正不断挑战我们对如何重建功能健全景观的认知。辅助演替或许可为裸露退化景观中泥炭地的重建提供可行路径。在阿尔伯塔省（Alberta），多数泥炭地在成沼作用（paludification）过程中最初为淡水沼泽（fen）。本研究聚焦于营造淡水沼泽形成条件，以在矿质沉积物上定植淡水沼泽苔藓物种，作为油砂矿区泥炭地修复的技术手段。
在田间中宇宙试验（mesocosm）中，我们评估了5种常见淡水沼泽苔藓——弯叶灰藓（Drepanocladus aduncus）、假三倍体真藓（Ptychostomum (Bryum) pseudotriquetrum）、星尖羽藓（Campylium stellatum）、亮叶灰藓（Tomentypnum nitens）及沼泽原丝藓（Aulacomnium palustre）——以等比例接种至黏壤土后的定植情况。为确定各物种定植的最优水文条件，我们设置了4个水位梯度：0 cm、-10 cm、-20 cm及-30 cm。
我们营造了与泥炭剖面中泥炭-矿质界面处植被类型相似的生境，以探究草本植物、低灌木及木屑覆盖处理对苔藓定植的影响。接种三个季节后，苔藓总盖度平均达40%，在所有覆盖处理及0 cm水位条件下盖度最高。
苔藓接种中宇宙试验的总苔藓生物量平均为95.5 g·m⁻²，在低灌木、草本植物覆盖及0 cm与-30 cm水位条件下生物量最高。
淡水沼泽苔藓物种的分布显著受地下水位深度影响：弯叶灰藓与假三倍体真藓在0 cm水位处最为常见，而沼泽原丝藓与亮叶灰藓则在-30 cm水位处占优。
本研究中，我们营造了与阿尔伯塔省泥炭岩芯底部矿质沉积物上所见植被类型相似的生境，并成功沿地下水位梯度及遮阴覆盖条件下构建了特征鲜明的淡水沼泽苔藓群落。在低灌木或草本植物覆盖下，引入一系列栖息于不同水文生态位的淡水沼泽苔藓物种，可有效提升苔藓定植效果。
总结与应用：本研究表明，通过在最优水位条件下引入建群苔藓及维管植物物种，可在黏壤土沉积物上营造淡水沼泽形成条件。重建淡水沼泽发育初期的群落结构与生物量积累过程，似乎是泥炭地修复的适宜目标。上述方法为阿尔伯塔省受严重干扰的油砂矿区的泥炭地修复提供了切实可行的策略。