Aboveground Vegetation, Seed Bank and Soil Analysis of a 31-year-old Forest Restoration on Coal Mine Spoil in Southeastern Ohio

Abstract

A 31-y-old forest restoration on coal mine spoil was studied to assess soil chemical composition, percent change in tree density and percent similarity of the seed bank and ground-story vegetation. Seed bank and soil chemistry results were compared to an adjacent unvegetated spoil bank. Of fifteen tree species planted on a barren, coal, spoil bank in 1966, four increased in density (indicating recruitment since 1966), seven decreased in density to 50% and four decreased in density >50% after 31 y. Nine volunteer tree species were recorded on the reforested site since the plantings in 1966. March and July soil collections in 1997 contained seeds of 18 species each, 13 in both collections. Most of the species found in the seed bank were shade-intolerant. No significant difference was found for total seed density between the March (4257 ± 490 seeds/m2) and July (3589 ± 365 seeds/m2) seed banks. Percent similarity between the seed bank and ground-story vegetation from the March and July seed collections was 9.8% and 8.2%, respectively. No seeds were found in soil collections from the adjacent unvegetated spoil bank. Soil pH and ionic content between the reforested study area and the unvegetated spoil bank differed significantly. We believe that the 1966 plantings have provided a habitat for other species to establish by reducing erosion and improving edaphic conditions.