Reclamation on Utah's Emery and Alton coal fields: techniques and plant materials
The studies reported on in this paper were designed to provide information on methods to establish vegetation on the soils of the semiarid Emery and Alton coal fields in Utah. No large-scale surface mining of coal has occurred in Utah, so research was conducted on typical potential mine sites following severe disturbance of soil materials. At Emery, primary objectives of the several studies were to evaluate the relative merits of site preparation by gouging, harrowing, and cultipacking in conjunction with the use of alfalfa hay or composted conifer bark as soil amendments. Seed was planted by broadcasting in all trials. At Alton, gouging and the use of hay and composted conifer bark was also tested. Wide varieties of plant species, consisting primarily of shrub and grass species but including several forb and tree species, were planted on different soil materials at both coal field locations. Secondary objectives on both study areas were the evaluation of the use of container-grown shrubs and determination of soil water potentials and soil temperature regimes, as well as documentation of air temperature and precipitation amounts received during the study period. During 5 years at Emery and 6 years at Alton, data were obtained on vegetational parameters such as density, percent cover, and plant yield. Data on survival and growth were obtained on planted shrubs.
- OSTI ID:
- 5907600
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
REVEGETATION
PRODUCTIVITY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SPOIL BANKS
SURFACE MINING
LAND RECLAMATION
COAL MINING
CULTIVATION
PLANT GROWTH
PREFERRED SPECIES
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SOIL CONSERVATION
SOIL MECHANICS
UTAH
CHEMISTRY
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GROWTH
MECHANICS
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
USA
510500* - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)
010800 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Waste Management