Measuring Mine Soil Productivity for Forests

Abstract

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...

Effects of Soil Properties, Climatic Factors, and Landscape Features of Prime Farmland Soils on Vegetative Growth Using Producivity Indices on Reclaimed Coal Surface Mined Soils

“…The above information about the study area has been given so now it needs to be related to scientists doing similar work and hopefully having similar results. Burger et al (1994) stated that tree vertical rooting patterns affect aboveground productivity. Their productivity index (PI) integrates the genetic rooting potential of a tree and its response to varying soil and topographic conditions.…”

Development of a Forest Site Quality Classification Model for Mine Soils in the Appalachian Coalfield Region

“…Furthermore, a low pH negatively affects the growth of herbaceous ground cover seeded during reclamation, reducing the competition with trees. Soluble salt concentration (or electrical conductivity, EC) has been recognized as a factor that is often an issue in the reforestation of mine soils (Torbert et al, 1988b;Burger et al, 1994;Andrews et al, 1998;Rodrigue and Burger, 2004). Tree growth decreases as EC levels increase.…”

Quantitative Techniques in Participatory Forest Management

“…4. Regarding the indicators associated to phosphorous nutrient availability such as "extractable P" (Burger et al, 1994;Reganold and Palmer, 1995) and "Bray P" (Harris et al, 1996;Aune and Lal, 1997), these include some nutrient-availability chemical parameters with specific scoring functions that can be used for plant productivity and/or environmental components of soil quality. 5.…”