NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: land reclamation, native plants, revegetation, plant ecology, seed collection

Objective(s): 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.

Project Description: The objective of this sub-project is to continue assessing the performance of native plants which were seeded and transplanted into field plots in 2006 and 2007. The research team intend 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. The principal investigator and one to two field assistants will assess the field plots twice each year: once in the spring, and once in the fall. 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 our control). Locally hired summer students play an important role in data collection in this project. The result of this aspect of the Northern Native Seed Development study will help to determine which plant species are best suited for restoring disturbed sites to their natural condition in different habitats across the NWT. Therefore, all NWT residents are able to benefit from this project, as the aim is to restore disturbed habitat using ecologically and genetically suitable seeds. The NWT community will be informed in a number of ways. Progress concerning the Northern Native Seed Development project is presented at several meetings every year within the territory: the Aurora College Research Advisory Council Meeting, the Territorial Farmer’s Association Meeting, the Aurora College Board of Governors Meeting, as well as various research conferences which happen within the Territory and beyond. Results are also communicated through annual reports submitted to our funding partners and through progress reports which are submitted to various stakeholders across the different regions of the NWT. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from September 19, 2013 to December 31, 2013.