Natural Resources Canada (NRCan; French: Ministère des Ressources naturelles Canada; RNCan), also known as the Department of Natural Resources, is the department of the federal Government of Canada responsible for natural resources, energy, minerals and metals, forests, earth sciences, mapping, and remote sensing. It was created in 1995 by amalgamating the now-defunct Department of Energy, Mines and Resources with the Department of Forestry. The current minister of natural resources is Jonathan Wilkinson.Natural Resources Canada works to ensure the responsible development of Canada's natural resources, including energy, forests, minerals and metals. NRCan also uses its expertise in earth sciences to build and maintain an up-to-date knowledge base of our landmass and resources. To promote internal collaboration, NRCan has implemented a departmental wide wiki based on MediaWiki. Natural Resources Canada also collaborates with American and Mexican government scientists, along with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, to produce the North American Environmental Atlas, which is used to depict and track environmental issues for a continental perspective.Under the Constitution Act, 1867, responsibility for natural resources belongs to the provinces, not the federal government. However, the federal government has jurisdiction over off-shore resources, trade and commerce in natural resources, statistics, international relations, and boundaries. The department is governed by the Resources and Technical Surveys Act, R.S.C., c.R-7 and the Department of Natural Resources Act, S.C. 1994, c. 41.
The soils of mixed boreal forests can suffer a loss of productivity after logging, particularly when soil conditions are altered. Poor vegetation recovery may further lead to nutrient loss, despite increased availability following disturbance. This study investigated the effects of amendments on chemical properties of a plantation established on a site poorly regenerated by natural regeneration. Biochar (2.6 Mg ha⁻1), wood ash (7 Mg ha⁻1), and manure (105 Mg ha⁻1) were applied alone or in combination in a randomized complete block design. After two growing seasons, soil pH, total carbon, macro- and micronutrient concentrations, and CEC were measured in the mineral soil at two depths (0–15 cm and 15–30 cm). Biochar did not change total C and N but it decreased Al and CEC (-18
This study addresses a critical gap in forest management by introducing a Universal Transfer-Response Function (UTRF) to predict Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta var. latifola Dougl.) maximum height under varying climate conditions in British Columbia. Using long-term provenance trial data, we developed a two-stage modeling approach: first, fitting a logistic height-age curve to estimate individual tree growth potential, and second, applying a cubic polynomial UTRF incorporating site, provenance, and climate transfer variables. The model explained approximately 62
Rainfall-triggered debris flows represent one of the greatest growing threats to co-located populations, infrastructure, and communities on or adjacent to steep slopes worldwide. Landslide-triggering rainfall thresholds are formulated to provide practical warnings of debris flow hazards. Statistical models, intensity-duration (I-D) curves or some adaptation thereof, account for about 70
High-entropy alloys are described as materials that have equiatomic and multi-element compositions. Their unique atomic structure may provide alternative electrocatalysts for water electrolysis over traditional and expensive noble metal-based catalysts, delivering superior catalytic activity and stability. Among various high-entropy alloys synthesis methods, electrodeposition stands out as a versatile and cost-effective approach due to its mild conditions and precise control over composition and deposition properties. This review focuses on noble metalfree high-entropy alloys prepared by electrodeposition, with applications in water electrolysis. The impacts of alloying elements and electrodeposition parameters on the morphology, composition, and electrochemical performance of the resulting coatings for hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction are also examined. The roles of key alloying elements are discussed, including their individual contributions during the electrodeposition process, interactions within the bath, and effects on the final coating. The review also discusses critical deposition parameters such as bath chemistry, pH value, current density, temperature, and bath agitation, and their influences on properties and electrochemical activity of electrodeposited coatings. Finally, future research directions and recommendations in several key areas are outlined to address important knowledge gaps for further advancing the optimization and application of electrode-posited high-entropy alloys as effective electrocatalysts for water electrolysis.
Organic amendments that consume oxygen can function as reactive barriers, limiting sulfide mineral oxidation in acid-generating tailings; however, they may also promote metal mobilization in surface-oxidized horizons. One decade after applying a 1-m thick organic cover, we observed notable yet stratified biogeochemical and microbial transformations down the reclaimed Anthroposol profile. The surface organic cover layer showed increased nutrient availability alongside declines in organic matter and C:N ratio, reflecting ongoing mineralization and decomposition, and became slightly acidic (pH decreasing from 7.1 to 6.7). Beneath this layer, the interface zone exhibited microbial and geochemical convergence toward more soil-like conditions, where bioavailable P, Zn, Fe, and Cu increased by up to two orders of magnitude. Deeper tailings were slightly acidified, enriched in sulfur- and iron-oxidizing microbial taxa, potentially indicating continued sulfide weathering. Despite the improvements in the interface layer, switchgrass roots largely remained confined to the organic cover, hinting at possible chemical or physical barriers limiting deeper rooting. These findings highlight the short-to-medium-term success of organic covers in enhancing nutrient cycling and fostering microbial succession near the surface. However, persistent weathering underscores the need for complementary strategies, such as deeper amendments or reactive barriers. Given projected climate warming could accelerate organic matter decomposition and sulfide oxidation, increasing the risk of acid generation over time, these findings underscore the importance of sustained organic inputs and adaptive management to ensure long-term reclamation success.
