What question did this study set out to answer?

To analyze how repeated seismic disturbances affect peatland microtopography and hydrology in northern Alberta.

April 17, 2026Forests0 citationsOpen Access

Microtopographic and Hydrological Response to Repeated Seismic Line Disturbance in a Boreal Fen of Northern Alberta, Canada

XCXue Yan ChanUniversity of Calgary ADAnna DabrosNatural Resources Canada GMGregory J. McDermidUniversity of Calgary

Key Points

To analyze how repeated seismic disturbances affect peatland microtopography and hydrology in northern Alberta.
Used LiDAR and optical imagery from remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS)
Compared attributes across new seismic lines, old seismic lines, and re-disturbed lines
Measured ground depression, hummock cover, depth to water, and surface water cover
New disturbances were approximately 10 cm depressed compared to undisturbed areas
Hummock cover decreased from 21% to 6% on new disturbances
Old disturbances showed partial recovery with hummock cover at 14% and surface water cover increased from 7% to 27%
Re-disturbances had even lower hummock cover at 2% and high surface water cover at 27%

Abstract

Seismic lines are among the most widespread anthropogenic disturbances in Alberta’s boreal peatlands, where repeated petroleum-exploration surveys can alter surface morphology, hydrology, and recovery potential. Although low-impact seismic (LIS) techniques are designed to minimize ground disturbance, the long-term consequences of re-using existing lines remain poorly understood. This study used remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS)-based LiDAR and optical imagery to examine how peatland microtopography and hydrology evolve following repeated seismic surveys. We quantified four attributes—ground depression, hummock cover, depth to water, and surface water cover—across new seismic lines (cut in 2021), old seismic lines (cut in 1996), and re-disturbance (cut in 1996, re-cut in 2021) LIS lines, as well as adjacent undisturbed peatland, in a boreal fen of northern Alberta. New disturbances were depressed by approximately 10 cm relative to the surrounding peatland and exhibited reduced microtopographic variability. Hummock cover decreased from 21% in the matrix to 6% on new disturbances. Old disturbances showed greater heterogeneity than new disturbances, with hummock cover partially recovering to 14% and surface water increasing from 7% to 27%, reflecting greater spatial heterogeneity in surface conditions. Re-disturbances exhibited microtopographic conditions similar to or more degraded than old disturbances, with hummock cover reduced to 2% and persistently high surface water cover (27%). These patterns suggest that repeated seismic surveys may limit recovery and maintain altered hydrological and microtopographic conditions. Within the context of this case study, even narrow LIS corridors were associated with persistent alterations when re-used, highlighting the importance of considering re-use effects when developing management strategies for peatland ecosystems. RPAS data provide an effective means to quantify these fine-scale changes and inform peatland restoration and seismic line management.

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