Biocrust Propagation and Transplantation on Mine Tailings and Overburden Substrates for Mine Reclamation

This project aims to develop propagation techniques of biocrust species for mine reclamation. Biocrust -which is the community of mosses, lichens, algae, and cyanobacteria-, protects the soil surface from erosive forces, restore nutrient cycling, sequester atmospheric carbon and retains water in its matrix. Its establishment on reclamation sites is therefore very desirable. However, due to their small size, biocrust may not establish quickly unless assisted. The objectives are: 1) to identify greenhouse propagation strategies for biocrust moss and lichens from Gibraltar mine on tailings and overburden substrates and, 2) to determine the effect of fertilizer on moss propagation. STANTEC, NATS nursery and Taseko | Gibraltar Mine, the research partners, will benefit by gaining insights on propagation of diverse moss and lichen species for reclamation. Gibraltar Mine will obtain propagated biocrust mats and a transplantation experiment design to implement filed research on the mine, situated near Williams Lake, BC.

Faculty Supervisor:

Anayansi Cohen-Fernandez

Student:

Partner:

Stantec Consulting (Sidney, BC);NATS Nursery;Taseko | Gibraltar Mines Ltd

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Program: