Assessing changes in peatland plant community functions following seismic line disturbance of different ages

Abstract

Seismic lines are linear clearings created for petroleum exploration mostly across boreal peatlands and forests in northwestern Canada. Seismic line disturbance has resulted in significant environmental impacts, including changes in plant composition, predator-prey dynamics, and hydrological conditions. There are more than 1.8 million km of seismic lines in Alberta, Canada, and they often remain visible even after decades. Despite the extensive occurrence of seismic lines, their effects on peatland plant community functions remain poorly understood.

This study uses a trait-based approach to explore the impact of seismic line disturbance on peatland plant community functions. We measured key morphological plant traits, such as specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC), along with leaf chemical composition, such as nitrogen (N) and carbon (C). Vegetation cover was also assessed to understand species distribution across disturbed and undisturbed areas. Statistical analyses, including multivariate methods, were conducted to determine how seismic line disturbance influences plant traits and community composition.

The results indicate that seismic lines are on a positive recovery trajectory, as reflected by the similarities in both plant community composition and plant traits between undisturbed areas and the areas that have naturally regenerated for about 30 years. However, it does not imply that the peatlands have returned to their pre-disturbance state after three decades. The findings of this study have important implications for the restoration of boreal peatlands disturbed by seismic lines. While restoration strategies like mounding may accelerate ecosystem recovery, these interventions themselves can cause further disturbance. Therefore, it is crucial to balance the time required for natural recovery with the potential disturbances introduced by restoration efforts.