Drivers, pressures, and state responses to inform long-term oil sands wetland monitoring program objectives

Abstract Boreal peatlands provide numerous ecosystem services ranging from carbon sequestration to the provisioning of habitat for species integral Indigenous communities. In Oil Sands Region Alberta, Canada, human development related oil and gas extraction occurs in a wetland-dominated landscape. Wetland monitoring programs can determine extent which impacts wetlands, but existing focus on characterizing biodiversity across region compliance regulatory that assumes sands do not extend past lease boundaries. This is unlikely be true since some impacts, such as particulate deposition, over large areas contingent local weather topography. To inform new regional wetland program assess cumulative effects we synthesized information scope research Region, including anthropogenic stressors impact wetlands characteristics sensitive different disturbances. We developed conceptual model linking with ecology make explicit relationships among components ecosystems. By highlighting testable relationships, this used collection hypotheses identify knowledge gaps guide future priorities. found majority studies are short-term (77% were ≤ 5 years) conducted limited spatial (82% sub-regional). Studies reclaimed relatively common (18% all tests); disproportionate occurrence type. Results these likely cannot extrapolated other region. Nevertheless, tailings contaminants, reclamation activities, surface water chemistry well-represented literature. Research types land disturbance lacking. A coordinated, needed gain complete understanding direct indirect address remaining gaps.