Applying the Forest Health Approach to Monitoring Boreal Ecosystems in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region

摘要: Abstract The increased development in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) has raised concerns about elevated emissions of air pollutants and potential for negative effects on terrestrial ecosystems. A forest health monitoring program was established 1998 by Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA). Field sites were sampled 1998, 2004, 2011. To date, while there is evidence elemental concentrations plant foliage with increasing predicted deposition levels, no a effect nutrient cycling processes or productivity. However, differences site factors confounded interpretations bioassays suggested that modeled PAI (potential acid input) values used data analysis insufficient to link cause effect. As result, network expanded enhanced 2011 updated science-based concepts better support decision making regulatory processes. approach adopted built upon existing order determine cause/effect relationships between pollution ecosystem AOSR. This design will also serve Alberta government expectations under cumulative management, regional land-use planning.