Ecosystem development and natural succession in surface coal mine reclamation

Brenner, Fred J.; Werner, Martin; Pike, Jeffrey

doi:10.1007/bf02072661

Cited by 37 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…155 species. Brenner et al (1984) found a significant inverse correlation between total biomass a:nd the number of native species that invaded surface-mined sites in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, Dense stands of Coronilla varia (crown vetch) and Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) appeared to inhibit invasion of native species, Native species also were more abundant when Sorghum vulgare (sorghum) was the ground cover than when Avena sativa (oats) or Lolium perenne (perennial ryegras~ used as ground cover. They also found decreased basal areas of invading tree species when ground cover biomass was greater.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Forest Topsoil Seed Banks for Introducing Native Species in Eastern Surface Mine Reclamation

Wade¹

1986

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Abstract. Three pioneer conununities, a mix of commonly used reclamation species, a community from a forest soil.seed bank, and a mixed community of reclamation species plus seed bank species were established on surface-mine spoils in microplots. A total of 84 taxa originated from the soil seed bank, including five tree species. Adding the reclamation species to the seed bank soil resulted in signific~tly fewer established native species, including tree seedlings in the resulting conununity; many native species were stunted or phenologically delayed. The seed bank community produced more aboveground biomass and sequestered more N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in vegetation than in the other two communities. Speed of ground cover development ranked reclamation mix> reclamation mix plus seed bank > seed bank, but amounts of cover were not significantly different 16 weeks after the study was.established. Differential effects of pioneer communities on ecosystem development on surface-mined lands and use of soil seed banks in their establishment are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Forest Topsoil Seed Banks for Introducing Native Species in Eastern Surface Mine Reclamation

Wade¹

1986

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“…Aside from planted tree species, understory species were observed to shift from shade-intolerant herbaceous and grass species in younger sites to more diverse groups of shade-tolerant herbaceous species, shrubs, and woody vines in older sites; this chronological trend was illustrative of a natural development of the community. Natural succession, which produces diversity and stability over time in disturbed ecosystems, is important in mine reclamation because volunteer colonization of native species will produce plant communities that will have long-term stability in a given locale's climate and be most beneficial to native wildlife in terms of food and cover (Brenner et al, 1984).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Over time, reclamation strategies have changed in order to effectively address environmental issues common on mined land (e.g., acid mine drainage, erosion, lack of natural revegetation) and to achieve more successful post-mining land uses; methods intended for specific geographic application are also being developed (e.g., the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) for the eastern United States) (Zipper et al, 2011;Skousen and Zipper, 2014). Long-term studies of vegetative community development on reclaimed mine land have been invaluable in developing effective reclamation practices, and several have been conducted within the United States (e.g., Brenner et al, 1984;Holl and Cairns, 1994;Holl, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetative Community Development Over 30 Years Within Mixed Pine-Hardwood Mine Reclamation Sites in East Texas

Christian¹,

Oswald²,

Williams³

et al. 2016

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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.

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“…Although numerous studies have evaluated tree growth on mine soils (Brenner et al 1984, Ashby et al 1980, very few studies have attempted to "predict" tree growth or SI from mine soil or topographic variables. Considering that one of the intentions of Public Law 95-87 is to ensure that mined land is returned to its premining level of productivity, it is necessary that the relationships between mine soil properties and forest productivity be developed and understood by coal operators, regulatory personnel, and landowners.…”

Section: Importance Of Productive Mine Soils For Forestsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Mine Soil Productivity for Forests

Burger¹,

Johnson²,

Andrews³

et al. 1994

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The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977 requires that mine operators reclaim mined land to achieve crop productivity levels equal to or greater than premined conditions. The standard for evaluating reforestation success is based solely on tree-seedling survival; however, survival is an estimator of stand density and not an indication of site productivity. The purpose of this study was to develop a model for estimating mine soil productivity based on the capability of growing merchantable timber. Seventy-eight fixed-area plots in Virginia and West Virginia were selected to evaluate the effects of mine soil/site properties on tree growth. These plots ranged from 0.02 to 0.04 ha and consisted of 5-to 9-year-old eastern white pine (Pinus strobus). A 1-m deep pit was dug at the base of one representative tree on each plot to determine rooting depth and physical and chemical properties of the subsurface horizons. The properties most correlated with tree growth were rooting volume, defined as the depth to a restrictive layer, slope percent, soil extractable phosphorus and manganese content, and electrical conductivity. A productivity model was developed based on the premise that limiting soil and site characteristics affect a species' optimum root distribution and thus its aboveground productivity. The developed model was verified using a white pine data set ranging in age from 11 to 15 years that was obtained from 14 reclaimed mines in Virginia. The model was significantly correlated with aboveground biomass and site index. Similar results were observed when predicted productivity estimates and site index values were added separately into established biomass equations.Additional Key Words: reforestation, forest productivity, productivity models, forest site quality. An Argnment for Restoring Forests on Mined LandForest land as a designated postmining land use is gaining in popularity with coal operators in Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. In Virginia, the Division of Mine Land Reclamation estimates that 80% to 85% of all reclaimed land is in a forest land use. Although hay land/pasture has been the predominant postmining land use in Kentucky, the Division of Field Services of the Kentucky Department of Surface Mining reports that reclamation efforts have been steadily shifting toward the use of trees. Hayland/pasture (like industrial and residential uses) is considered a higher-order land use than forestry; thus, conversion from premining forested conditions to these higher-order land uses is allowable under the provisions of Public Law 95-87 (U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 1988), and is desirable to a degree, in order to diversify the economic base of localities (Zipper 1986).However, most of the hayland/pastureland created as a result of mining is going unused for its intended purpose because it is often in remote areas, is unfenced, and is often too steep to traverse with agricultural equipment. Areas 5 years of age and ol...

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Ecosystem development and natural succession in surface coal mine reclamation

Cited by 37 publications

References 24 publications

Forest Topsoil Seed Banks for Introducing Native Species in Eastern Surface Mine Reclamation

Forest Topsoil Seed Banks for Introducing Native Species in Eastern Surface Mine Reclamation

Vegetative Community Development Over 30 Years Within Mixed Pine-Hardwood Mine Reclamation Sites in East Texas

Measuring Mine Soil Productivity for Forests

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