Resource exploration activities across Canada’s boreal and subarctic regions have resulted in a network of narrow linear clearings called seismic lines. When seismic lines are created in peatlands, tree recovery is often limited and microtopographic variability is diminished. Due to the deep deposits of organic-rich soils in these ecosystems, however, quantifying the role that the initial disturbance versus subsequent changes in carbon cycling have on soil carbon stocks and tree growth remains a challenge. Therefore, this project aims to understand the drivers of microtopographic changes and their potential impact on tree growth through peat core analysis, elevation surveys, and tree inventories for a bog and fen site in northeastern Alberta, Canada. At the bog site, microtopographic variability was similar on and off the seismic line and trees of similar age were generally taller on the seismic line than in the adjacent forest. The maximum age of seedlings on the seismic line also corresponded to the known time of disturbance, suggesting that the disturbance did not limit tree establishment. At the fen site, hummocks were generally at a lower elevation than hummocks in the adjacent forest. Microtopographic variability was also significantly less, and seedling density was low. Future work will identify the relative roles of compression and peat loss in elevation changes through radiometric dating of peat cores and the calculated apparent peat accumulation rates post-disturbance will be used to estimate potential microtopographic recovery trajectories.