Early performance of native shrubs and trees planted on amended Athabasca oil sand tailings

Abstract

Regulations enacted in Alberta Province, Canada; require that reclamation programs restore disturbed lands in such a way that productivity will be equal to or greater than it was prior to being mined. Consistent with these requirements, Syncrude Canada embarked on a project to restore and rehabilitate tar sand tailings with native shrubs and trees. Soil amendments were followed by the seeding of grasses and legumes; plots were subsequently planted with trees and shrubs. Results to date indicate over-winter survival was very satisfactory with most plant species.