Pepinelli Lab

Pollinator presence in post-mining environments can signal the successful restoration of key ecological processes. By installing bee hotels and honey bee colonies, and collecting eDNA from pollen, soil, water, and air, we will monitor biodiversity, investigate plant-pollinator interactions, and evaluate the effectiveness of revegetation efforts. The outcomes will provide a replicable, data-driven framework for monitoring ecological restoration, offering mining operations valuable insights to improve reclamation strategies and contribute to long-term sustainability.

The Proposal

Mining activities can significantly affect ecosystems by damaging habitats and resources. Restoration efforts, such as revegetating mining areas, are critical for stabilizing land, reducing erosion, and reintroducing habitats for flora and fauna. Pollinators play a key role in supporting plant reproduction, accelerating ecosystem recovery and sustaining biodiversity.

This project focuses on monitoring and restoring biodiversity at active and inactive mining sites through an integrated approach involving pollinators in managed honey bee colonies, bee hotels, and the environmental DNA (eDNA) these pollinators leave behind. Working with IAMGOLD, we can include their monitoring of contaminants and analyze how these stressors may influence biodiversity, ecosystem health, and the functionality of ecological networks in reclaimed and active mining areas. This integrated approach will provide a more comprehensive understanding of ecological recovery, highlight potential risks to ecosystem services, and inform more effective and sustainable reclamation strategies.

Key aspects of the project include:

1. Pollinator Monitoring: Using bee hotels and honey bee colonies to track native and managed pollinator activity at mining sites.
2. eDNA Analysis: Sampling airborne, water, soil, and bee-collected pollen to detect plant, microbial, and animal species and assess biodiversity in the reclaimed areas.
3. Reclamation Success Evaluation: Correlating pollinator, plant and microbial diversity with reclamation efforts and contaminant levels to gauge ecosystem recovery.
4. Actionable Insights: Providing mining companies with data-driven recommendations for improving reclamation practices and supporting sustainability.

The project uses a non-invasive method of eDNA analysis to assess biodiversity without needing to capture organisms directly. It will involve deploying bee hotels and honey bee colonies in at least three areas at Côté Gold mine, with ongoing sampling and analysis. The results will help inform reclamation practices, monitor ecosystem health, and identify potential risks, such as contaminants, to biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Additionally, the project aligns with Laurentian University’s strategic goals, fostering research collaboration and experiential learning, particularly for students. It integrates innovative techniques in environmental science and supports sustainability in post-mining landscapes. Collaboration with IAMGOLD and local Indigenous communities will ensure the research is inclusive and grounded in diverse ecological knowledge.

This two-year project aims to assess the success of reclamation efforts, generate data on species recovery, and develop a replicable monitoring framework for future reclamation projects in the mining sector.