Northern Native Seed Development Field Trials

Régions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

étiquettes: biology, land reclamation, native plants, botany

chercheur principal: Trimble, Annika EV (34)
Nᵒ de permis: 15493
Organisation: Aurora Research Institute
Année(s) de permis: 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2007 2006
Délivré: juil. 04, 2014
Équipe de projet: Annika Trimble, Summer Students, Volunteers

Objectif(s): To continue assessing the performance of native plants which were seeded and transplanted into field plots in 2006 and 2007, and to establish two new field plots at the Inuvik golf course with the same intent of monitoring native seed performance in a disturbed habitat.

Description du projet: The objective of this sub-project are: 1) to continue assessing the performance of native plants which were seeded and transplanted into field plots in 2006 and 2007, and 2) to establish two new field plots at the Inuvik golf course with the same intent of monitoring native seed performance in a disturbed habitat. The research team intends to collect data regarding winter survival, seedling emergence, and overall plant vigor and productivity in order to assess each species' and collection's suitability for use in land reclamation in the NWT. Establishment of the two new field plots in 2014: Seed from the region will be cultivated at the Inuvik Community Greenhouse, using seed from the NWT seed development program. Once the plugs are ready (likely mid-July), plugs will be transplanted at golf course along two small drainages, with help from the public. Long term vegetation monitoring plots will be set up to assess the plants' performance over the years, in line with existing practices at the other three already-established field plots. Ongoing monitoring of all five field plots, 2014-2018: The principal investigator and one to two field assistants will assess the field plots once or twice each year. General repairs will be made to the plot boundaries if necessary. Springtime data collection will take place in May or early June and will include assessments of winter survival, seedling emergence, and the general health of the plants. Autumn data collection will take place in August or early September and will include assessments of seedling survival, reproduction efforts (ie. evidence of flowers or seed production), and the general health of the plants. All data will be collected visually. The research team anticipate there to be no disturbances to the plots or the surrounding terrain, or even to the plants themselves (outside of vandalism or herbivory, which is beyond the teams control). Educational outreach will take place throughout this project, but particularly in the first year. Youth and community members will be invited to do some hands-on learning about environmental stewardship, reclamation practices with native species, and monitoring revegetation success over time. Once data has been collected and analyzed, results will be shared in annual funding reports, as well as on www.nwtresearch.com The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 4, 2014 to October 31, 2014.