NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Tags: physical sciences, biology, land reclamation, native plants, botany

Objective(s): To continue the development, testing, and eventual commercial release of native seed stocks that would be suitable for use in reclamation across the various biophysical regions of Canada’s north.

Project Description: Despite the recognition of the ecological benefits carried by the use of native plant seeds in reclamation, there is still no commercial source of plant materials native to the NWT or Canada’s north. Even finding southern cultivars of local species is a significant challenge. In response to this, Aurora Research Institute (ARI) initiated the NWT Native Seed Development Program, its objective being the development, testing, and eventual commercial release of native seed stocks that would be suitable for use in reclamation across the various biophysical regions of Canada’s north. Collections along the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway will help to ensure the seed development program is well stocked with seed that is suited for the region, in terms of species and even local population genetics. The seed can then be tested developed further. Seed collection will be conducted during August and September. The field collections sites will be accessed by truck and by foot. All seed will be collected by hand. Plant species that will be targeted for seed collection will all be common, abundant plants which are early colonizing species. A number of sites will be accessed to ensure that genetic diversity is maintained in all plant species collected and also to minimize local impacts upon the seed bank within any given area. A field assistant from Tuktoyaktuk or Inuvik will receive training in seed identification and collection and help with the project The results of this work will be shared through public talks or other community outreach events, and will be posted to the project website. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from September 19, 2018 to October 31, 2018.