Relating Soil Properties to Native Plant Establishment along West Virginia Highways

Abstract

The West Virginia Division of Highways is required to develop seeding mixtures comprised of native plants for revegetation of newly constructed highway corridors. The challenges faced when revegetating highway corridors are similar to those of reclaiming minelands. Similar processes such as blasting and backfilling result in a compacted, rocky soil that often contains acidic materials. Non-native species are generally seeded with high fertilizer rates to assure revegetation success. However, these aggressive species prohibit the establishment of desirable native species. When using native species, soil properties are an important aspect of the revegetation process of these disturbed areas. The chemical properties of soils can be manipulated, however the physical properties are more difficult to influence without great expense. This study evaluated the use of native plants for revegetation along roadsides and the soil factors influencing this reclamation. Soil properties of six West Virginia sites (Baker, Hazleton, Parkersburg, Buckhannon, Elkins, and Weston) were evaluated on the basis of bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, texture, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, extractable bases, and various elemental analyses. Younger soils had less profile development as well as higher bulk densities, increased rock fragments, and decreased water holding capacities than older sites. Older sites with more vegetation had higher amounts of organic carbon in the soil, which translated into improved soil conditions and water holding capacity. Soil pH did not significantly influence native species establishment on these sites. The Elkins site had slightly saline soils as determined by electrical conductivity, which related to a decreased amount of vegetation on this site. Sites with higher amounts of vegetation correlated to soils with lower bulk densities, higher CEC and water holding capacities, and ample nutrients.