Establishment, succession, and stability of vegetation on surface mined lands in eastern Montana. Annual progress report, March 1, 1976--February 29, 1977. [List of nearly 200 species observed near Colstrip, Mt]

Technical Report · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:5308200

Sindelar, B W; Plantenberg, P L

An ecological investigation of reclamation and plant succession on strip mined lands near Colstrip, Montana, was initiated in June, 1975. Its purpose is to examine and document development, stability, and permanence of plant communities established on semiarid lands mined since 1924. Twelve fenced exclosures on 2--9 year old reclamation seedings and on 45--53 year old naturally revegetated coal spoils were established. An exclosure was also established on adjacent native rangeland. Transects were set up within the exclosures for analysis of a variety of plant species and community parameters. Plant cover, density, frequency, phenology, biomass production, and species composition are sampled throughout the growing season. Soil characteristics analyzed include organic matter content, root development, and root biomass production. Coordination with other research projects at Colstrip provides additional vegetation, soils, and weather data. A project life of 5--10 years will allow documentation and interpretation of plant community development and fluctuation in response to climatic and other forces. Progress to date indicates that rate and trend of plant succession are influenced by mining techniques, reclamation technology, and weather.

• Research Organization: Montana State Univ., Bozeman (USA). Agricultural Experiment Station
• OSTI ID: 5308200
• Report Number(s): RLO-2228-T3-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
012000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
510500* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIOMASS
COAL MINING
ENERGY SOURCES
LAND RECLAMATION
MINING
MONTANA
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
REVEGETATION
STABILITY
SURFACE MINING
USA