Transcript A “Smart-Reclamation” Approach for Pennsylvania

Tree invasion on reclaimed anthracite
surface mines in Pennsylvania:
Reevaluating inhibition
Klemow, K.M., R. Klemish, M.
Petras, R. Ali, J. Keller, R. Helfrick,
T. Tonkin, J. DiGerardo
Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Undisturbed sites in eastern North
America are forested by a mix of
native woody species
Thousands of acres of forests have
been profoundly disturbed by mining.
Natural revegetation is often limited on mineimpacted sites due to infertile, drought-prone
soils, and lack of seed dispersal
To help repair the damage caused by mining,
reclamation measures are implemented.
Current reclamation projects follow guidelines of
SMCRA (1977), emphasizing regrading land,
fertilizing soils, and establishing ground-cover
Common reclamation species
Result is a meadow, often dominated
by non-native species
Ground vegetation of well reclaimed site
Site not reclaimed “well” appeared to
be rapidly colonized by woody species.
Surface of poorly reclaimed site
Does reclamation lead to forest
development on reclamation sites?
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Classic ecological theory based on
facilitation model of succession
Early successional stages “prepare site”,
paving way for later successional stages.
Inhibition model of succession states that
early stages actually inhibit later stages.
Which model aptly depicts process of
forest development on reclamation sites?
Question studied over past four
years by Wilkes students.
General approach
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Examine four sites in anthracite area
of northeast Pennsylvania.
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Three (Ballfield, Newport 4,
Cemetery) well reclaimed by BAMR
One (Hanover 12) poorly reclaimed.
Wilkes-Barre
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Vegetation analysis
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25’ x 25’ plots
established in each
site
Vegetation quantified
in each plot
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Percent cover for
ground layer
Number of stems for
woody species
Summary of Results
Site
Herb %
Cover
Tree
Seedling
Density
# Tree
Spp.
Total Tree
Height
Hanover 12 58.2+ 5.1a 43.6+ 2.3c 3.5+ 0.3e 2755+ 454g
Newport 4 81.4+ 5.4b
4.9+1.7d
1.0+ 0.3f
650+ 220h
Cemetery
96.5+ 1.6b 10.8+ 4.1d 2.1+ 0.6f
391+ 156h
Ballfield
91.7+ 2.4b
235+ 60h
4.6+ 1.1d
1.4+0.2f
Total Indiv. Trees vs. % Herb Cover
y = -0.3832x + 49.94 R2 = 0.0999
150
Total Trees
125
100
75
50
25
0
0
20
40
60
80
% Herb Cover
When examined on a plot-by-plot basis,
relationship not so strong
100
When we ignore clonal species
Non-Clonal Trees vs. % Herb Cover
# Non-Clonal
Trees
y = -0.0387x + 4.4852 R2 = 0.0869
20
15
10
5
0
0
20
40
60
% Herb Cover
80
100
Findings
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Plots having >60% herb cover almost
completely lack tree seedlings.
Invasion by clonal species possible on dense
sites.
Successful establishment of herb layer may
restrict species diversity by excluding species
that rely only on seeds for regeneration.
Recruitment by clonal species restricted if
source plants not present.
Implications for reclamation
strategies:
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If reclaimed site is targeted for
commercial or residential
development, use conventional
SMCRA approach.
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Important to establish ground
cover for erosion control.
If site is likely to remain
undeveloped, use ecological
restoration approach.
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Establish sparser herb cover,
allowing colonization by native
woody species.
Why should we care?
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“Restoration science” now
emerging as a new way of
thinking, replacing
reclamation-based approach
(see SER 2002)
Benefits of reclamation
leading to natural forest
ecosystems:
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Higher sustainability
Higher biodiversity
Carbon sequestration
Watershed-wide benefits
And the next step:
Incorporate GIS-based
technologies to
recommend reclamation
approach, based on
likelihood for site
development.
www.units.ohio-state.edu
www.esri.sc.edu
Acknowledgements
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Financial and logistical support provided by
Wilkes University
Site access provided by Earth Conservancy
& PA BAMR
Helpful discussions with colleagues
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Dale Bruns, Bill Toothill (Wilkes University)
Robert Hughes (Eastern PA Coalition for
Abandoned Mine Reclamation)
Questions / Comments?