Date Available
5-6-2014
Year of Publication
2014
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Forestry (MF)
College
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department/School/Program
<--Please Select Department-->
Advisor
Dr. Chris Barton
Abstract
Surface coal mining in Appalachia has contributed to a suite of ecological impacts, both terrestrial and aquatic. Conventional reclamation in Appalachia leads to the development of hay/pasture systems dominated by nonnative grasses and legumes, with soils that are chemically and physically unfavorable to native tree growth. Several studies have shown that more weathered minespoils provide a better growth medium than unweathered spoils in Appalachia. Spoil segregation plots were constructed on Bent Mountain in Pike County, KY, to compare the suitability of three mine spoil types (BROWN weathered sandstone, GRAY unweathered sandstone, and MIXED sandstones and shales). In 2013 (after nine growing seasons) volume of planted trees was 50x higher on BROWN than on GRAY. In addition, natural colonization of unplanted groundcover and tree species was much more extensive on BROWN than GRAY or MIXED. Most water chemical parameters were similar across spoil types; however, water chemistry on all plots appears to have stabilized after nine growing seasons. Finally, rapidly developing forest on BROWN appears to be influencing water budgeting on the site, leading to lower discharge during summer months. These results indicate that BROWN weathered spoils provide a better growth medium than GRAY unweathered spoils for native trees.
Recommended Citation
Sena, Kenton L., "Influence of Spoil Type on Afforestation Success and Hydrochemical Function on a Surface Coal Mine in Eastern Kentucky" (2014). Theses and Dissertations--Forestry and Natural Resources. 16.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/forestry_etds/16
