This study investigated the transplantation of understory plants within the Cu-Ni smelterdamaged
urban forest of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, to increase plant biodiversity in an area
where natural colonization of understory species is delayed. The goal of my study was to
evaluate establishment of 16 m2 vegetation mats along a gradient of smelter disturbance and to
relate successful establishment to abiotic and biotic site characteristics. Specific investigations
were conducted to determine whether soil quality influenced root growth and transplant
establishment. Variables associated with smelter emissions and soil temperature were the best
predictors of successful transplant establishment of understory plant species, but relationships
were species specific. Also, root growth was not limited to organic soils of the transplant mat
and roots were able to grow into receptor site soil. Knowledge of environmental factors
influencing establishment will help to determine site locations and to select species to introduce
when transplanting understory species in future reclamation projects.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OSUL.10219/2147 |
| Date | 17 March 2014 |
| Creators | Santala, Kierann R. |
| Publisher | Laurentian University of Sudbury |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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