Shortening fire return interval predisposes west-central Canadian boreal peatlands to more rapid vegetation growth and transition to forest cover.

Climate change in northern latitudes is increasing the vulnerability of peatlands and the riparian transition zones between peatlands and upland forests (referred to as ecotones) to greater frequency of wildland fires. We examined early post-fire vegetation regeneration following the 2011 Utikuma complex fire (central Alberta, Canada). This study examined 779 peatlands and adjacent ecotones, covering an area of ~182 km .

Spatio-temporal variations in dissolved trace elements in peat bog porewaters impacted by dust inputs from open-pit mining activities in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands (ABS) region.

Considerable volumes of dust are generated from open-pit bitumen mining operations in northern Alberta, Canada. The reactive mineral phases of these dust particles can potentially dissolve in acidic (pH < 4) bog waters. Their dissolution could release trace elements (TEs), which could eventually alter these bog ecosystems.

Emerging forest-peatland bistability and resilience of European peatland carbon stores.

Northern peatlands store large amounts of carbon. Observations indicate that forests and peatlands in northern biomes can be alternative stable states for a range of landscape settings. Climatic and hydrological changes may reduce the resilience of peatlands and forests, induce persistent shifts between these states, and release the carbon stored in peatlands.

Sphagnum Moss as an Indicator of Contemporary Rates of Atmospheric Dust Deposition in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands Region.

Sphagnum moss was collected from ombrotrophic (rain-fed) peat bogs to quantify dust emissions from the open-pit mining and upgrading of Athabasca bituminous sands (ABS). A total of 30 bogs were sampled in the ABS region, and 5 were sampled in central Alberta. Ash was separated into the acid-insoluble ash (AIA) and acid-soluble ash (ASA) fractions using HCl.