Wildlife investigations at a coal refuse reclamation site in Southern Illinois

Conference · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6446683

Pentecost, E. D.; Stupka, R. C.

Wildlife studies of a reclaimed coal refuse pile were conducted during the summer months of 1977 and 1978. During the period of May--September 1977 and May--July 1978 live-trap censuses were made. Small mammal species observed in 1977 included the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), house mouse (Mus musculas) and meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus). In 1978 the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) was also a common resident of the site. Population density estimates for Mus musculus and M. ochrogaster were 20 (+-19.4) and 37.5 (+-20) respectively in June 1978. Evidence of habitat segregation was observed between M. pennsylvanicus and M. ochrogaster with the former species occupying densely vegetated areas of tall fescue (Festuca arundinaces), birdsfoot trefoil (Phalaris arundinacea) and cereal rye (Secale cereale) while M. ochrogaster was more abundant in open areas with similar vegetation. Both the mammalian and avian species observed on site were those typical of early old-field communities in southern Illinois. Four passerine species (kill-deer, song sparrow, red-winged blackbird, common grackle) nested on site during the second year following seeding. No onsite nesting activity occurred during 1977. Common amphibians observed around the pond included the southern leopard frog (Rana pipiens sphenocephala), Blanchards' cricket frog (Acris crepitans blanchardi) and american toad (Bufo a. americanus). Utilization of the pond by these species occurred the first summer after reclamation was completed.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6446683
• Report Number(s): CONF-781240-1
• Resource Relation: Conference: Surface mining and fish/wildlife needs in eastern United States, Morgantown, WV, USA, 3 Dec 1978
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
MINERAL WASTES
LAND RECLAMATION
WILD ANIMALS
POPULATION DENSITY
AMPHIBIANS
BIRDS
COAL MINING
ILLINOIS
MAMMALS
POPULATIONS
REPTILES
REVEGETATION
SPOIL BANKS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
GREAT LAKES REGION
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
SOLID WASTES
USA
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
012000 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Mining
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)