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Reclamation of surface mines to plantation forests is a management option that reestablishes both economic and ecological functions after mining. This study investigated vegetative community characteristics (composition, richness, importance) over time in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations established over a thirty-year period on reclaimed lignite coal surface mine land in East Texas, United States. The open landscape of newly planted loblolly pine plantations on reclaimed mine land was amenable to shade-intolerant herbaceous and grass species but, when the canopy closed, favored woody species (trees, shrubs, vines) within two decades after stand establishment. Given that these plantations were established on sites generally described as dry to mesic uplands, species composition was generally congruent with East Texas ecology. Community composition, species richness and species importance were discussed, and loblolly pine growth data and vegetative community characteristics of unmined loblolly pine plantation sites in East Texas were compared to reclaimed sites. Surface mined lands reclaimed to plantation forests are ideal locations to conduct further research on how biodiversity and other ecosystems services can be improved while maintaining intended economic and ecological purposes.

Abstract. The practice of mine reclamation aims to balance the energy needs of society with proactive environmental restoration of degraded land, and long-term studies of vegetative community development on reclaimed mine land have been invaluable in developing effective reclamation practices. This study investigated vegetative community characteristics (composition, richness, species importance) over a 30-year time frame in planted mixed pine-hardwood areas on reclaimed surface coal mine land in East Texas, United States. Reclaimed sites were compared vegetatively to unmined reference forests. A chronological pattern was shown for reclaimed community development in both understory and overstory strata. Understory community development exhibited natural patterns, while the overstory community varied with different groups of planted species. The older reclaimed sites were most similar to unmined reference sites. Dissimilarities between mined and unmined communities were also apparent; for example, the woody vine community of reference sites was much more substantial in midstory and overstory strata as compared to reclaimed sites. Overall, this study provided baseline ecological information about these plant communities that may assist land managers and researchers in furthering their development of reclamation techniques and attainment of reclamation goals.