The influence of abiotic (snow fences) and biotic (hedgerows) vertical structures on soil moisture, temperature, and planted seedlings in subarctic mine site reclamation

Abstract

Mine site revegetation in subarctic boreal ecosystems is often limited by soil moisture under semi-arid conditions, highlighting the need for research into cost-effective, scalable strategies to manage soil–water dynamics across large-scale disturbances. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of vertical structure type (i.e., abiotic snow fences vs. biotic Alnus viridis and Dryas integrifolia hedgerows), height, and distance from structure on soil volumetric water content, soil temperature, and the survival and growth of planted fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) and Canada bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis) seedlings at a mine site in central Yukon Territory, Canada. Despite considerable interannual variation in snowfall and spring soil moisture, abiotic structure height had limited effects on soil moisture, likely due to the small height differences between fences and shifts in dominant wind direction affecting snow-trapping efficiency. However, vertical structure type significantly affected soil moisture, especially in summer, when both hedgerows had significantly lower soil moisture compared to snow fences. Soil temperature was not influenced by the vertical structures. Planted fireweed and Canada bluejoint seedlings responded more strongly to local site conditions than to vertical structures. Overburden texture varied across the site, with sandier substrates reducing soil moisture retention across experimental blocks, which influenced hedgerow and planted seedling survival and growth. Microtopography shaped water distribution through micro-elevation differences, influencing the effects of vertical structures. These findings demonstrate the potential of vertical structures as a revegetation strategy in semi-arid subarctic boreal environments, while emphasizing the importance of integrating site-specific factors into mine reclamation planning and implementation.