Seismic line width and orientation influence microclimatic forest edge gradients and tree regeneration

Franklin, Caroline; Filicetti, Angelo T.; Nielsen, Scott E.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119216

Cited by 18 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Increased diversity was likely a response to increased resource availability from the seismic‐line opening (Ries et al, 2004, 2017). Specifically, the seismic‐line opening could increase abundance of edge‐adapted species that would be favored by increased light (Dawe et al, 2017; Franklin et al, 2021; Stern et al, 2018) or increased pollinators (Nelson et al, 2021; Riva et al, 2018, 2020), and likely seed dispersers. However, this could also lead to shade‐tolerant or interior species being outcompeted at the edge of the seismic line; we found evidence of this in that Rubus chamaemorus had lower abundance at the edge of the single narrow treatment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…to have higher soil and air temperatures than in adjacent forests (Dabros et al, 2017;Franklin et al, 2021). It is possible that the removal of trees and increase in resource associated with construction of a single narrow seismic line failed to trigger a response in vegetative growth, but proximity to multiple seismic lines stimulated a significant increase in black spruce layering.…”

Section: Edge Interactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We focused on the edge influence on understorey vegetation in treed peatlands, as seismic lines in these ecosites are particularly long‐lasting (van Rensen et al, 2015) and peatlands dominate large parts of northern Alberta (~65% of the oil‐sands region). Wide seismic lines have stronger changes in abiotic conditions, for example higher light intensity and air temperatures, and a higher DEI on microclimatic conditions than narrow seismic lines (Franklin et al, 2021; Stern et al, 2018). We thus expected wide seismic lines to have a higher DEI on vegetation compared to narrow seismic lines.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Low‐impact seismic lines are narrower, approximately 3 m wide, and involve lighter equipment, thus resulting in less soil disturbance (Dabros et al, 2018). The canopy opening created by seismic lines leads to higher light intensity, higher air temperature, and lower relative humidity at the edge of the seismic lines compared to in the forest interior (Franklin et al, 2021). Despite being quite narrow, low‐impact seismic lines have been shown to exhibit edge influence on understorey vegetation (Dabros et al, 2017; MacFarlane, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neighboring edges: Interacting edge effects from linear disturbances in treed fens

Echiverri

Macdonald

Nielsen

2022

Applied Vegetation Science

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Questions Edge influence on forest biodiversity is an important environmental effect associated with habitat fragmentation, but extrapolating the influence of edges across the broader landscape has been difficult, especially for situations where multiple edges exist in close proximity. We asked whether there were differences in edge effects between two types (3 m vs 8 m width) of low‐severity linear disturbance (seismic lines) and whether there were interactions of edge effects when seismic lines occur in dense networks; that is, do multiple narrow seismic lines have a stronger or weaker edge influence than a single narrow seismic line. Location Treed peatlands in northeastern Alberta, Canada. Methods Seismic lines are created during oil and gas exploration and are responsible for dissection of boreal forests in western Canada. We sampled vascular plants along transects perpendicular to seismic lines in moderate‐rich and poor treed fens. We used the “Randomization Test of Edge Influence” (RTEI) to calculate the magnitude and distance of edge effects and then compared these between narrower (3 m) versus wider (8 m) lines and between single narrow lines versus multiple narrow lines (parallel and ~50 m apart). Results In moderate‐rich fens, we found a positive edge influence on understorey diversity from both wide and narrow seismic lines. We also found a weakening edge interaction on diversity, that is, single narrow seismic lines had a stronger edge influence on diversity than did multiple narrow seismic lines. In treed poor fens, multiple narrow seismic lines had a negative edge effect on tree density, understorey abundance, richness, and composition. In addition, we found strengthening edge interactions in treed poor fens on tree density, graminoid cover, and understorey composition. Conclusions Even narrow linear disturbances, such as seismic lines, can have significant edge effects and these are exacerbated when lines occur in dense networks.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Edge Interactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neighboring edges: Interacting edge effects from linear disturbances in treed fens

Echiverri

Macdonald

Nielsen

2022

Applied Vegetation Science

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“…Topography (i.e., elevation, slope, aspect) was similar across sites (Table 2), and thus likely was not responsible for the range of observed vegetation differences. However, seismic line orientation can influence microclimate conditions and potentially also vegetation (Franklin et al 2021). As such, the significant variation in senescence dates across years at only sites that received restoration treatments (Active and Passive sites) could be due to plant succession with higher species turnover typical of annual species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simultaneous monitoring of vegetation dynamics and wildlife activity with camera traps to assess habitat change

Sun

Beirne

Burgar

et al. 2021

Remote Sens Ecol Conserv

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Vegetation phenology and productivity drive resource use by wildlife. Vegetation dynamics also reveal patterns of habitat disturbance and recovery. Monitoring these fine-scale vegetation patterns over large spatiotemporal extents can be difficult, but camera traps (CTs) commonly used to survey wildlife populations also collect data on local habitat conditions. We used CTs (n = 73) from 2016 to 2019 to assess impacts of habitat change in a boreal landscape of northern Canada, where seismic lines for petroleum exploration disturbed wildlife habitat and prompted vegetation restoration efforts. First, we quantified vegetation dynamics from CTs, comparing them to satellite-based estimates that are typically used to monitor vegetation at broad spatial scales. We then used understory phenology and productivity estimated from CT time-lapse images to assess vegetation recovery on seismic lines. Finally, we related vegetation dynamics with the habitat use of three wildlife species: sandhill cranes Grus canadensis, woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus, and white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus. CTs provided unique insight into vegetation dynamics that were different from signals measured by satellites, with temporally inconsistent and even some negative correlations between CT and satellite metrics. We found some indication of vegetation recovery on seismic lines that had received restoration treatment, with understory patterns more similar to undisturbed habitat than to seismic lines that did not receive restoration treatment. CTs also provided inferences about wildlife activity related to vegetation resources, which approaches using satellite data failed to detect. Wildlife habitat use tracked vegetation phenology, but did not always increase with vegetation productivity at weekly, 16-day, or annual intervals. Instead, associations with vegetation productivity depended on species, temporal scale, and productivity metrics. Given the widespread and growing use of CTs to monitor terrestrial wildlife, we recommend their use to simultaneously monitor habitat conditions to better understand the mechanisms that govern wildlife habitat use in changing environments.

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An initial assessment of winter microclimatic conditions in response to seismic line disturbance in a forested peatland

Bayatvarkeshi,

Ketcheson,

Weiland

et al. 2024

Hydrological Processes

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Linear disturbances are widespread in the boreal region of Alberta, Canada. Despite their ubiquitous nature, little is known about their influence on over‐winter meteorological conditions and if and how they alter the snowpack and soil temperature profiles through altered energy and water balances in the wintertime. The presence of seismic lines could affect hydrological processes in both the wintertime and warm months. This will then affect plant communities and carbon cycling on these disturbances. Thus, understanding the effect of seismic lines on meteorological conditions during cold weather conditions will be important to better understand how they alter ecosystem function. Accordingly, this study aims to assess the effect of two seismic lines with different orientations created for petroleum resource exploration on energy and meteorological variables by comparing them with the near surface conditions in the adjacent wooded peatland area from October 2022 to April 2023. We observed 1.8 times higher photon flux density of photosynthetically active radiation on the linear disturbances than in the understory of the undisturbed locations and a greater negative net radiation on the seismic lines compared with that observed off the lines. Furthermore, the average wind speed on the seismic lines were eight and seven times higher at the east–west and south–north oriented seismic lines than the adjacent wooded peatland, respectively. Together, these changes resulted in a denser snowpack on the seismic line and overall higher snow water equivalent in the pre‐melt snowpack. This provided insulation for the soil, and soil temperature on the lines stayed above freezing 7 days longer at the east–west oriented site or retained non‐freezing condition at the south–north oriented site in the upper 15 cm. This would result in more microbial activity and potential higher over‐winter carbon releases.

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Seismic line width and orientation influence microclimatic forest edge gradients and tree regeneration

Cited by 18 publications

References 54 publications

Neighboring edges: Interacting edge effects from linear disturbances in treed fens

Neighboring edges: Interacting edge effects from linear disturbances in treed fens

Simultaneous monitoring of vegetation dynamics and wildlife activity with camera traps to assess habitat change

An initial assessment of winter microclimatic conditions in response to seismic line disturbance in a forested peatland

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