Ecological relationships of fauna and flora on a pre-law coal surface-mined area in Perry County, Illinois

Thesis/Dissertation · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6762574

Smith, J R

Pre-law coal surface-mined lands in Pyramid State Park, Perry County, Illinois, were examined 1976-1980 to determine changes in fauna and flora from that on the area in 1954-1960. Vegetative development on naturally revegetated spoils reflected diverse habitat conditions with interspersion of cover types; some of oldest spoils displayed inhibited succession while others exhibited early flood plain forest development. Ground and overstory species richness and overstory density increased since mid 1950's and ground cover domination by therophytes in 1954-1956 shifted to phanerophytes and hemicryptophytes in 1976-1978. Thirty vegetative compositional and structural parameters indicated that ground cover was limited by subcanopy rather than large scattered trees. Aquatic vegetation communities developed but hydrosphere was not well represented; emergent vegetation was limited by morphology of basins. Although isolated sites exhibited deleterious conditions, vegetation was not generally inhibited by physico-chemical factors. The 29 mammals reflected an increase in species richness. Abundance of early successional forms decreased while occupants of shrub/forest increased. Past habitat enhancement influenced wildlife distribution; and plantations attracted woodland fauna. Leveled spoil crests, valleys and clearings with fescue retarded succession and provided open areas and edges for others.

• Research Organization: Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6762574
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
ILLINOIS
SURFACE MINING
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ANIMALS
BIRDS
HABITAT
PLANTS
POPULATION DENSITY
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
SPECIES DIVERSITY
SPOIL BANKS
TIME DEPENDENCE
TREES
FEDERAL REGION V
MATHEMATICS
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
STATISTICS
USA
VERTEBRATES
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects