Document: STA-3-64-22

Evaluation of surface mine reforestation in south-central West Virginia .

EDMONDS, S.N.*

Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, USA ¹

Abstract:
Implementation of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) has had a negative effect on mined land reforestation. Federal and state regulations have enforced sediment control, surface stability and complete ground cover following surface mining. In response, mine sites are mostly seeded with quick-growing, exotic grass species to control erosion. Seed or seedling tree species are often planted in compact fill material engineered for stability but unsuitable for proper root and shoot growth. A survey was conducted at six postmining restoration sites in the Coal River Valley, West Virginia to assess reforestation efforts. All sites had been revegetated with grasses, herbaceous legumes and woody species and ranged in age from two to twelve years of growth. Percentage cover by woody and herbaceous species was determined in two-meter square quadrats placed mechanically along transect lines. Seven distinctive postmining landforms evaluated had statistically significant differences in percent cover for grasses, herbaceous legumes, woody species and bare ground (p-value less than 0.0001) using ANOVA model. Native woody species accounted for less than 11 percent of the vegetation cover indicating low survival of planted trees and shrubs and low occurrence of woody colonization from adjacent forests. Exotic grasses and herbaceous legumes covered approximately 80 percent of the revegetated landforms.

Keywords: mine reclamation, mountain-top removal, surface mine reforestation

This abstract is being presented at: 10:30 AM in session:
Oral Session #19: Grassland Restoration.