In September 2023, Environmental Stewardship researchers performed end-of-season sampling on the 55 floating islands deployed on two feedlot ponds near Linden, Alta.
They completed plant, root and water samples on site and replanted a few sections of the islands — specifically replacing the chives — that didn’t fare well during the first season on the feedlot ponds. Additional members of the OCCI research team joined to analyze plant coverage/density and height as well as gather samples for lab analysis — two cups of each plant and root sample are gathered to be washed and then dried for lab analysis
The wheat and water sedge (used since phase one of the project) and baltic rush (used since phase two of the project) wetland plants flourished as they did in previous years of the floating islands research. The chives did not survive the growing season, which is valuable feedback to Tannas Conservation Services Ltd. who helped the College select the native wetland plants for the project and designed and patented the floating island technology. Steven Tannas believes it was too wet of a growing environment for the chives.
Certain other plants went dormant earlier than expected, and researchers will wait to see how they do after the winter season. It is ideal to find plants that flourish with top growth in these feedlot environments. The researchers also discovered the roots of native wetland plants on the floatings islands didn’t go as deep below the islands into the water as they expected — most likely due to the readily available nutrients in the water and deep soil beds of the floating islands themselves. Root growth should expand during next season’s growing period since the plants were busy spreading top growth in the first year.
Dr. Daniel Karran, instructor in the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology at Olds College, is the principal investigator responsible for managing the project activities, data analysis and technical reporting. Karran was pleased the majority of plants are growing so well in such polluted environments as these feedlot ponds. He explains the real value after one season of evaluation is knowing what species do well and what best management practices help the plants flourish.
During winter 2023/24, the team will process the first year of results and analysis. The research team will continue monitoring and testing the ponds and floating islands for a second season throughout 2024, with the final project analysis scheduled for the following fall/winter. Stay up to date on project findings by visiting oldscollege.ca/smartfarm.