Comparison of avian populations on unmined and reclaimed lands in Illinois
Avian populations were sampled in southwestern and west central Illinois on mined and unmined and reclaimed lands to evaluate the impact on these populations of the reclamation required by the Illinois Surface-Mined Land Reclamation and Conservation Act of 1971. Comparison of avifauna of each habitat type showed reclaimed lands held more individuals than the unmined fence row, cropland, oldfield and woodland; less density was noted on mined sites as compared to unmined hedge row, pond, streamside pasture, and edge habitats. Avian diversity indices on reclaimed land were lower than every unmined habitat type; however, reclaimed land populations appeared to be more diverse than cropland because of the value of water to migrating and nesting waterbirds. Therefore, habitat on pre-mine sites dominated by cropland appeared improved after reclamation because corn-soybean monocultures were replaced by less monotypic habitat interspersed with water. The avifauna of pre-mine sites where cropland was regularly interspersed with woodland or hedge rows, was negatively impacted by pasture-pond reclamation. Based upon comparison of avifauna populations on mined and unmined land and the potential for including habitat needs in reclamation plans, several development and management practices were identified.
- Research Organization:
- Illinois Dept. of Mines and Minerals, Springfield
- OSTI ID:
- 5473796
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-841204-
- Journal Information:
- Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States), Conference: National symposium on surface mining, hydrology, sedimentology and reclamation, Lexington, KY, USA, 2 Dec 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIRDS
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SPECIES DIVERSITY
LAND RECLAMATION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
LAND USE
SURFACE MINING
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COAL MINING
CROPS
DATA COMPILATION
GROUND COVER
ILLINOIS
PASTURES
RANGELANDS
SURFACE MINING ACTS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
ANIMALS
DATA
ECOSYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION V
INFORMATION
LAWS
MINING
MINING LAWS
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
USA
VERTEBRATES
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
510200 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
550100 - Behavioral Biology