Abstract
Reclamation of surface mines to plantation forests is a management option that reestablishes both economic and ecological functions after mining. This study investigated vegetative community characteristics (composition, richness, importance) over time in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations established over a thirty-year period on reclaimed lignite coal surface mine land in East Texas, United States. The open landscape of newly planted loblolly pine plantations on reclaimed mine land was amenable to shade-intolerant herbaceous and grass species but, when the canopy closed, favored woody species (trees, shrubs, vines) within two decades after stand establishment. Given that these plantations were established on sites generally described as dry to mesic uplands, species composition was generally congruent with East Texas ecology. Community composition, species richness and species importance were discussed, and loblolly pine growth data and vegetative community characteristics of unmined loblolly pine plantation sites in East Texas were compared to reclaimed sites. Surface mined lands reclaimed to plantation forests are ideal locations to conduct further research on how biodiversity and other ecosystems services can be improved while maintaining intended economic and ecological purposes.
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