Stoney Creek Ecological Restoration Post-Project Appraisal: Soil Quality Survey

The state of the soil in the riparian area around an urban stream, Stoney Creek, in Burnaby, British Columbia was investigated. This site had recently been disturbed by a salmon habitat restoration project. Our study aimed to provide a first set of data for post-project soil quality assessments in this region. Four soil pits were excavated and various soil samples were collected. These samples were transported to the Soil Science Lab at Simon Fraser University for laboratory analysis, where soil texture, bulk density, acidity, water content and erodibility were assessed. Although no root growth limiting bulk density and pH levels were found, the results indicated that soil compaction had some effect on bulk density, acidity and water content. This set of soil data is limited in its comprehensiveness and therefore future soil quality monitoring projects are recommended.