Vegetation regeneration in minerotropic rich peatlands burned between 2011 and 2016 in the Northwest Territories

• Main Authors: Rochefort, Line, Guêné-Nanchen, Mélina
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Cryospheric Information Network 2016
• Subjects: Bryophytes; Fire; Northwest Territories; Peatland; Study; Vegetation; Centre d'Études Nordiques; Atikameg; Conklin; Fort Providence
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.21963/12711; https://www.polardata.ca/pdcsearch/?doi_id=12711

Vegetation data were collected in 27 burned rich peatlands along an chronosequence of fire age (2011 (n=10), 2014 (n=14), 2015 (n=4)) and 18 natural peatlands for reference during June and July 2016. Percentages of cover of bryophytes and vascular were evaluated by group and for all the species. Mean relative position to the water table was measured for fen true bryophytes. Vegetation data were collected in 12 plots within each peatlands (6 plots on hummocks, 6 in hollows). Abiotic conditions were also measured (hydrology, physicochemical characteristics of peat, fire severity). For hydrology, water table level and relative peat moisture were measured at each plot, one time during 2016 summer. Peat composite samples were collected at each peatlands and were analyzed for pH, electroconductivity, chemical content (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, K, Na, P, N) in the labatory. Fire severity was evaluated by measuring the depth of burn on a tussock at each plot. Sites were located along highway 3 (maximum of 600 m) between Fort Providence and Chan Lake in the Northwest Territories and sites were located along the highway 881 and 750 near Conklin and Atikameg in Northern Alberta. : Purpose: Bryophyte regeneration after disturbance has been studied in multiple different ecosystems (e.g.: forests after cutting, borrow pits, peatlands). The comprehension of regeneration mechanisms is necessary as we consider the importance of bryophytes in the structuration of forested ecosystems and peatlands. Improved knowledge on those mechanisms are essential to develop management and restoration methods. The study of plant interactions with their environment aims to precisely understand these mechanisms better. Facilitation is related to the interaction between species, where at least one benefits from this relationship. Facilitation by nursing plants is often considered as a process affecting the survival and growth of different plants in harsh environment. So, where bryophyte regeneration is compromised by the adverse conditions of the environment, nursing plants could help minimize these effects and could be used when restoring disturbed ecosystems. Until now, bryophyte regeneration has been studied in one main type of peatlands, ombrotropic poor peatlands. However, there is an increasing need for restoring minerotrophic rich peatlands. Unfortunately, methods used to restore poor peatlands are not adapted to rich peatlands, so there is a need to improve knowledge about regeneration mechanisms in rich peatlands. The main purpose of this project is to evaluate the effects of facilitation relationships on the regeneration of bryophytes in burned rich peatlands. : Summary: Not Applicable