Tree invasion on reclaimed anthracite Tree invasion on reclaimed anthracite surface mines in Pennsylvania: surface mines in Pennsylvania:

Reevaluating inhibitionReevaluating inhibitionKlemow, K.M., R. Klemish, M. Klemow, K.M., R. Klemish, M.

Petras, R. Ali, J. Keller, R. Helfrick, Petras, R. Ali, J. Keller, R. Helfrick, T. Tonkin, J. DiGerardoT. Tonkin, J. DiGerardo

Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PAWilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Undisturbed sites in eastern North Undisturbed sites in eastern North America are forested by a mix of America are forested by a mix of

native woody species native woody species

Thousands of acres of forests have Thousands of acres of forests have been profoundly disturbed by mining.been profoundly disturbed by mining.

Natural revegetation is often limited on mine-Natural revegetation is often limited on mine-impacted sites due to infertile, drought-prone impacted sites due to infertile, drought-prone

soils, and lack of seed dispersalsoils, and lack of seed dispersal

To help repair the damage caused by mining, To help repair the damage caused by mining, reclamation measures are implemented.reclamation measures are implemented.

Current reclamation projects follow guidelines of Current reclamation projects follow guidelines of SMCRA (1977), emphasizing regrading land, SMCRA (1977), emphasizing regrading land, fertilizing soils, and establishing ground-coverfertilizing soils, and establishing ground-cover

Common reclamation speciesCommon reclamation species

Result is a meadow, often dominated Result is a meadow, often dominated by non-native speciesby non-native species

Ground vegetation of well reclaimed siteGround vegetation of well reclaimed site

Site not reclaimed “well” appeared to Site not reclaimed “well” appeared to be rapidly colonized by woody species.be rapidly colonized by woody species.

Surface of poorly reclaimed siteSurface of poorly reclaimed site

Does reclamation lead to forest Does reclamation lead to forest development on reclamation sites?development on reclamation sites?

Classic ecological theory based on Classic ecological theory based on facilitationfacilitation model of succession model of succession

Early successional stages “prepare site”, Early successional stages “prepare site”, paving way for later successional stages.paving way for later successional stages.

InhibitionInhibition model of succession states that model of succession states that early stages actually early stages actually inhibitinhibit later stages. later stages.

Which model aptly depicts process of Which model aptly depicts process of forest development on reclamation sites?forest development on reclamation sites?

Question studied over past four Question studied over past four years by Wilkes students.years by Wilkes students.

General approachGeneral approach Examine four sites in anthracite Examine four sites in anthracite

area of northeast Pennsylvania.area of northeast Pennsylvania. Three (Ballfield, Newport 4, Three (Ballfield, Newport 4,

Cemetery) well reclaimed by BAMRCemetery) well reclaimed by BAMR One (Hanover 12) poorly reclaimed.One (Hanover 12) poorly reclaimed.

PhiladelphiaPittsburgh

Wilkes-Barre

Vegetation analysisVegetation analysis

25’ x 25’ plots 25’ x 25’ plots established in each established in each sitesite

Vegetation quantified Vegetation quantified in each plotin each plot Percent cover for Percent cover for

ground layerground layer Number of stems for Number of stems for

woody specieswoody species

Summary of ResultsSummary of Results

SiteSite Herb % Herb % CoverCover

Tree Tree Seedling Seedling DensityDensity

# Tree # Tree Spp. Spp.

Total Tree Total Tree HeightHeight

Hanover 12Hanover 12 58.258.2 ++ 5.1 5.1aa 43.643.6 ++ 2.3 2.3cc 3.53.5 ++ 0.3 0.3ee 27552755 ++ 454 454gg

Newport 4Newport 4 81.481.4 ++ 5.4 5.4bb 4.94.9 ++ 1.71.7dd 1.01.0 ++ 0.3 0.3ff 650650 ++ 220 220hh

CemeteryCemetery 96.596.5 ++ 1.6 1.6bb 10.810.8 ++ 4.1 4.1dd 2.12.1 ++ 0.6 0.6ff 391391 ++ 156 156hh

BallfieldBallfield 91.791.7 ++ 2.4 2.4bb 4.64.6 ++ 1.1 1.1dd 1.41.4 ++ 0.20.2ff 235235 ++ 60 60hh

Total Indiv. Trees vs. % Herb Covery = -0.3832x + 49.94 R2 = 0.0999

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

0 20 40 60 80 100

% Herb Cover

To

tal T

ree

s

When examined on a plot-by-plot basis, relationship not so strong

When we ignore clonal speciesWhen we ignore clonal speciesNon-Clonal Trees vs. % Herb Cover

y = -0.0387x + 4.4852 R2 = 0.0869

0

5

10

15

20

0 20 40 60 80 100

% Herb Cover

# N

on

-Clo

nal

T

rees

FindingsFindings

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 Implications for reclamation strategies:strategies:

If reclaimed site is targeted for If reclaimed site is targeted for commercial or residential commercial or residential development, use conventional development, use conventional SMCRA approach.SMCRA approach. Important to establish ground Important to establish ground

cover for erosion control.cover for erosion control. If site is likely to remain If site is likely to remain

undeveloped, use ecological undeveloped, use ecological restoration approach.restoration approach. Establish sparser herb cover, Establish sparser herb cover,

allowing colonization by native allowing colonization by native woody species.woody species.

Why should we care?Why should we care? ““Restoration science” now Restoration science” now

emerging as a new way of emerging as a new way of thinking, replacing reclamation-thinking, replacing reclamation-based approach (see SER 2002)based approach (see SER 2002)

Benefits of reclamation leading Benefits of reclamation leading to natural forest ecosystems:to natural forest ecosystems: Higher sustainabilityHigher sustainability Higher biodiversityHigher biodiversity Carbon sequestrationCarbon sequestration Watershed-wide benefitsWatershed-wide benefits

And the next step:And the next step:

www.esri.sc.eduwww.units.ohio-state.edu

Incorporate GIS-based Incorporate GIS-based technologies to technologies to recommend reclamation recommend reclamation approach, based on approach, based on likelihood for site likelihood for site development.development.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Financial and logistical support provided by Financial and logistical support provided by Wilkes UniversityWilkes University

Site access provided by Earth Conservancy Site access provided by Earth Conservancy & PA BAMR& PA BAMR

Helpful discussions with colleaguesHelpful discussions with colleagues Dale Bruns, Bill Toothill (Wilkes University)Dale Bruns, Bill Toothill (Wilkes University) Robert Hughes (Eastern PA Coalition for Robert Hughes (Eastern PA Coalition for

Abandoned Mine Reclamation) Abandoned Mine Reclamation)

Questions / Comments?Questions / Comments?