Noxious Plant Research Articles

New Mexico Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Program (DOI)

New Mexico Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Program (DOI)

Time, climate, and soil settings set the course for reclamation outcomes following dryland energy development

AbstractSoil attributes, climate, and time since reclamation have important implications for oil and gas reclamation success on drylands. It is uncertain if reclaimed well pads, on highly degraded drylands, can successfully regain ecological function or meet indicator benchmarks for reclamation. Here, our goals were to assess patterns in reclamation outcomes relative to (1) soil attributes, climate, and time since reclamation; and (2) plant and soil reference benchmarks. We collected a suite of plant, soil, and landscape characteristics from 134 reclaimed well pads on the Colorado Plateau that spanned climate and soil gradients and ranged from 2 to 20 years post‐reclamation, then compared characteristics to those from 583 reference plots. On the reclaimed pads, less saline soils, more mesic climates, and longer time since reclamation were associated with favorable reclamation outcomes based on metrics of plant species richness and diversity, plant structure, and cover of important plant functional groups. However, most pads had major departures in 1/4 indicators, suggesting unsuccessful reclamation. Arid warm locations with shallow soils had the greatest percentage of major departures, and noxious plant richness had the greatest departures across soil and climate settings. Our assessment indicates reclamation is failing in key metrics for most pads, and the results highlight the role of environmental conditions in driving reclamation outcomes. These new insights are valuable for ascertaining possible reclamation outcomes and success rates following energy related disturbance, including orphaned wells and renewable energy development. Importantly, the approach used here has applicability for setting benchmarks and outcome standards.

A Noxious Weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Ragweed) as Sustainable Feedstock for Methane Production and Metals Immobilization

Plants of the Ambrosia genus are invasive and cause many ecological problems, including the oppression of the growth of agricultural crops and native plants, land depletion, and the production of strong allergens. The use of weeds as a sustainable feedstock for biogas production, either methane or hydrogen, is a promising way to fulfill the energy needs of the current generation, eliminate the depletion of non-renewable carbon resources, and preserve the ecosystem degradation caused by invasive species impacts. A diversified microbial community was used as inoculum and Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. biomass as a substrate for anaerobic degradation and methane production. In this regard, the development of biotechnological approaches to ragweed degradation will promote the integration of new renewable energy systems. Herein, we have shown the high effectiveness of combining the processes of anaerobic degradation of plant biomass for methane production and detoxification of meal-containing model sewage by a diversified microbial community. Thus, the maximum methane yield was 56.0 L kg−1 TS. The presence of 500 mg L−1 Cu(II) slightly inhibited methane synthesis, and the methane yield was 38.4 L kg−1 TS. In contrast to a diversified microbial community, the natural microbiome of ragweed almost did not synthesize methane and did not degrade plant biomass (Kd = 2.3). Methanogens effectively immobilized Cr(IV), Cu(II), and Fe(III) during ragweed fermentation at initial concentrations of 100–200 mg L−1. The obtained results showed the high effectiveness of applying a diversified microbial community in a sewage treatment plant for the degradation of a noxious plant, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.

Herbicide control of the invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) does not alter soil microbial communities or activity

Abstract Invasive plants are a major problem for land managers and have widespread and lasting environmental impacts. The invasive shrub Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is a pervasive and noxious plant in the Midwest region of the United States. Despite this, many land managers may be uncomfortable with herbicide control of this and other invasive plants due to unknown impacts on ecosystem components including soils. To examine if herbicide control of Amur honeysuckle impacts soil enzyme activity and soil communities, we treated Amur honeysuckle with Garlon® 4 (triclopyr) suspended in Basal Bark Oil, Basal Bark Oil alone and untreated controls, then assessed soil community, soil enzyme activity and arbuscular mycorrhizal density changes among treatments and across the subsequent growing season. We found that basal bark herbicide treatments of Amur honeysuckle do not negatively impact soil enzyme activity, nor do they impact fungal, prokaryotic or oomycotan diversity or community structure. There was a slight but likely ecologically unimportant effect on community structure associated with basal bark oil applications, but not with herbicide applications. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization was negatively affected by herbicide use but this is likely due to reduction in host health and/or mortality. Taken together, this suggests that herbicide control of Amur honeysuckle does not impact soils and land managers can treat these invasive plants without concern for negative soil outcomes.

Alaska Invasive and Noxious Plant Management (DOI)

Federal Grants & ContractsVolume 46, Issue 8 p. 3-3 Grants alerts Alaska Invasive and Noxious Plant Management (DOI) First published: 14 March 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/fgc.32264Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume46, Issue817 March 2022Pages 3-3 RelatedInformation

Evaluación de leguminosas introducidas en México para identificar especies invasoras de alto impacto potencial

La mayoría de las especies de plantas introducidas en México no han sido evaluadas para priorizar las acciones de gestión para erradicarlas o contenerlas o para mitigar los daños causados por invasiones de plantas nocivas. Se evaluaron 42 taxa (41 especies y una variedad) de malezas introducidas de la familia Leguminosae usando criterios empíricos y derivados de teoría, en el desarrollo de un modelo centrado en el comportamiento de las especies en el extranjero, su tiempo de residencia y las localidades ocupadas, y la presencia en México de los parientes congenéricos nativos y no nativos. Los datos se obtuvieron a partir de fuentes bibliográficas y de la base de datos “Malezas Introducidas en México” que incluye información de 11 herbarios de México. También desarrollamos un proceso de puntuación para calificar la expansión de las introducidas de acuerdo con tiempo de residencia y número de localidades ocupadas. Clasificamos a las leguminosas introducidas en cuatro categorías de prioridad de atención. Albizia lebbeck, Pueraria phaseoloides, Lablab purpureus, Securigera varia, Delonix regia, Clitoria ternatea y Spartium junceum deben recibir prioridad de atención alta; consideramos que ocho especies requieren una atención prioritaria media, y siete atención prioritaria baja. 20 taxa fueron clasificados como no prioritarios. El modelo de evaluación desarrollado todavía necesita un mayor refinamiento, ya que especies aparentemente inocuas obtuvieron puntajes altos y una potencialmente peligrosa (Cassia fistula) se clasificó en la categoría no prioritaria. Esperamos que el presente modelo de evaluación funcionará como una herramienta y con baja dependencia de expertos, para identificar a las especies introducidas que requieren un análisis de riesgo más completo para priorizar esfuerzos para el manejo de las plantas introducidas nocivas.

Jatropha curcas poisoning in a family from rural Haryana

Background: Jatropha curcas is a flowering plant found all over the world. It has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes and as an ornamental plant. Lately, it is being promoted for biodiesel production. Since it is a commonly grown plant with seeds that are often mistaken as edible nuts, accidental ingestion is common among children. The presence of various plant toxins results in gastrointestinal, hepatic renal cardiotoxic, and hemolytic manifestations. The general public and most pediatricians are unaware of this. Clinical Description: We report a case series of thirteen children who presented to the emergency department with lethargy, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea after acute ingestion of seeds of an unknown plant. The presentation varied in severity of symptoms as well as degree of dehydration, which seemed to correspond to the number of seeds consumed. The parents were asked to bring parts of the plant and the seeds were identified to belong to the Jatropha curcas plant after expert botanical consultation. Management and Outcome: All the children were admitted. None of them had manifestations of any specific toxidrome, however, there seemed to be isolated gastrointestinal involvement, clinically. Gastric lavage was done immediately. Intravenous fluid correction was administered based on the severity of dehydration. Supportive treatment with antiemetics and antacids was provided. Baseline investigations were planned to rule out organ dysfunction. The most common derangement was neutrophilic leukocytosis. All children recovered well without any complications or sequelae. Conclusion: Jatropha Curcas is a noxious plant that should not be grown in areas where children play. Unknown plant poisoning should be treated with the same gravity as any other poisonous substance. All efforts should be taken to look for indicators of a specific toxidrome in case an antidote is warranted, as well as identify the concerned plant.

Maintaining the Many Societal Benefits of Rangelands: The Case of Hawaiʻi

Well-managed rangelands provide important economic, environmental, and cultural benefits. Yet, many rangelands worldwide are experiencing pressures of land-use change, overgrazing, fire, and drought, causing rapid degradation. These pressures are especially acute in the Hawaiian Islands, which we explore as a microcosm with some broadly relevant lessons. Absent stewardship, land in Hawaiʻi is typically subject to degradation through the spread and impacts of noxious invasive plant species; feral pigs, goats, deer, sheep, and cattle; and heightened fire risk. We first provide a framework, and then review the science demonstrating the benefits of well-managed rangelands, for production of food; livelihoods; watershed services; climate security; soil health; fire risk reduction; biodiversity; and a wide array of cultural values. Findings suggest that rangelands, as part of a landscape mosaic, contribute to social and ecological health and well-being in Hawaiʻi. We conclude by identifying important knowledge gaps around rangeland ecosystem services and highlight the need to recognize rangelands and their stewards as critical partners in achieving key sustainability goals, and in bridging the long-standing production-conservation divide.

Plant regulatory lists in the United States are reactive and inconsistent

Abstract Global invasive species introductions are rising, necessitating coordinated regulatory strategies within and across national borders. Although states and nations address their unique priorities using plant regulations, these regulations are most likely to reduce invasive plant introduction and spread if they are consistently enacted across political borders and proactively restrict spread early in the invasion process. Further, a unified regulatory landscape is particularly important given the imminent range infilling and large‐scale climate‐driven range shifts of invasive species. In the United States, federal and state regulations restrict the introduction and spread of several hundred invasive and noxious plant taxa in an effort to reduce their negative impacts. Using plant regulations for the lower 48 United States, we assessed consistency among regulated taxa based on similarities in adjacent states’ regulatory lists. We assessed proactivity by comparing regulatory lists to plants’ current and potential distributions given occurrence records and species distribution models under climate change. States regulate from 0 to 162 plant taxa, with an average of only 16.8% overlap of regulated taxa between adjacent states. Up to 137 plants may be present but unregulated in a state, and only 110 of 553 listed taxa were regulated in one or more states where they were not yet present. However, 36 states listed at least one taxon proactively (regulated but not present in the state). Of the 48 proactively listed taxa with species distribution models, we identified 41 cases (38 species in 21 states) where listing was ‘climate proactive’ (regulated, not present and where climate could be suitable for establishment by mid‐century). Policy implications. US plant regulatory lists were inconsistent across borders and reactive to climate change. However, most states regulate at least one plant taxa prior to its introduction, suggesting that a more proactive approach is possible under existing regulations. Coordination across borders is imperative given gaps in regional defences against invasion and projected invasive plant range shifts under climate change. We suggest that subnational, national and international governing bodies evaluate their plant regulatory lists for consistency and proactivity, as it is paramount for preventing the next wave of plant invasions.

Exploring of the Potential of Parthenium Weed Ash as Substitute for Commercial Alkali for Preparation of Laundry Soap: As a Means to Control Invasion of Parthenium

Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) weed is a noxious plant which inhabits many parts of the world. It is responsible for rapid environmental pollution causing a reduction in crop productivity by infesting farm lands and grazing lands. It also causes severe human and animal health problems. The aim of this study was assessing the potential of parthenium weed ash as a substitute for commercial alkali for the preparation of soap. Alkali solution was prepared from partheniun weed ash. Tests on its alkalinity properties revealed that the lye can be used for soap making. Similarly, the tests on physicochemical properties of the collected used cooking oil samples were found to be 141.0 ± 0.4–153.8 ± 0.33 mg KOH/g, 11.28 ± 0.5–14.1 ± 0.5 mg KOH/g, and 0.16 ± 0.2–0.19 ± 0.25 milieq/g for saponification value, acid value, and peroxide value, respectively. The data indicated that both the prepared lye solution and the collected used cooking oils would be suitable for soap preparation. Moreover, analyses of the moisture content, total alkali content, total fatty matter, the pH value, and chloride content of the prepared soap materials were found to be in the ranges of 10.5 ± 0.01–13 ± 0.01, 0.39 ± 0.01–1.63 ± 0.05%, 64.5 ± 0.16–76.4 ± 0.15%, 10.5 ± 0.03–10.63 ± 0.04, and 0.39 ± 0.2–0.45 ± 0.39%, respectively. The finding of the present study, is that it is possible to conclude that the Parthenium weed ash (or lye solution from this ash) and leftovers of used cooking oils can be used as cost-effective substitutes for commercial alkali solution and palm oil, respectively, for laundry soap preparation of acceptable grades. The finding also suggests that preparation of lye solution from parthenium weed ash can be used as an option for controlling the pollution of this invasive weed.

Biodegradation and utilization of crop residues contaminated with poisonous pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Disposal of noxious plant residues is a challenge for farmers and land management dealing with contaminated biomasses. Recent studies confirm the potential threat of transferring toxic plant constituents like pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) from plant residues to non-toxic succeeding agricultural crops via the soil.We studied the degree of biochemical degradation of PAs in the two most important processes, composting and biomethanization. We used lab composting and biogas batches to investigate the potential of PA-degradation of two common PA-containing plants, Lappula squarrosa and Senecio jacobaea.The experiments demonstrated a virtually complete loss of PAs in three months during the composting process and a rapid decomposition of PAs from 3112.6 μg/kg to less than 21.5 μg/kg in L. squarrosa and from 6350.2 μg/kg to less than 539.6 μg/kg in S. jacobaea during biomethanization. The information obtained is a first guide on how to re-utilize PA-contaminated plant matter in a circular bioeconomy.

Impact of Parthenium hysterophorus L. invasion on soil nitrogen dynamics of grassland vegetation of Indo-Gangetic plains, India.

The noxious plant species Parthenium hysterophorus L. has become a major concern for the conservation of many natural and managed areas. The species is known for its various adverse effects on the invaded ecosystems, particularly in terms of biodiversity loss. Currently, P. hysterophorus is a leading invasive species widespread in the grasslands of productive and diversity rich Indo-Gangetic plains of India and is responsible for various changes in the ecosystem. The present study addresses the changes that P. hysterophorus can bring in the vegetation structure (species richness, species evenness, and species composition) of the grasslands of Indo-Gangetic plain. To broaden our understanding of the invasion success and facilitated expansion, we also focus on the variability of soil nitrogen pool and processes as a consequence of invasion. We report that in the presence of P. hysterophorus, the species diversity, evenness, composition and richness were altered, affecting many native and non-native flora of the ecosystem. The effect was more prominent during the second and third year of the study with more increase in the invasion outcomes. Significant changes in soil nitrogen (N) dynamics, particularly, increased available (N), N-mineralization and microbial biomass N have been found in the invaded plots along with changes in vegetation of the grassland community. Overall, the result suggested that the invasive species, P. hysterophorus, modifies the soil and this modification is correlated with changes in vegetation structure and this situation is likely to further facilitate severe alterations in the ecosystem and could favor encroachment of other non-native species in the area.

Weed Flora in Mustard- A review

Among all other oil seed crops mustard is the most important oil seed crop. They play wide role in economy of India. The productivity of mustard is reduced by various biotic and abiotic factors. The weed is one of the major factor to decline the productivity of mustard. The yield losses in mustard upto 45% caused by weeds. Weed flora is the life of plant that is related to weeds and they differ from place to place. The weed flora involve the population of both dicot and monocot weeds. The dicot species are more present than monocot species in mustard. The Chenopodium album, Melilotus indica, Anagallis arvensis, Cirsium arvense, Fumaria parviflora, Cornopus didymus, Phalaris minor, Rumex denticulatus, Vicia sativa, Carthamus oxycantha, Chenopodium murale, Avena ludoviciana, Medicago denticulatus etc. weeds are mostly present in mustard field. Weed flora related with soil characteristics, region, climate, cropping pattern and management factors. The weeds are noxious plant and compete with crop for wetness, light, space, nutrition supplements and reduce the quality and yield attributes of crops.

Influence of the invasive shrub Nicotiana glauca Graham on the plant seed bank in various locations in Taif region, western of Saudi Arabia.

Invasive species have been considered as one of the most serious threats to the biodiversity of various ecosystems, particularly in arid regions. The present study aimed to assess the influence of the invasive shrub Nicotiana glauca on the biodiversity of different habitats in Taif region, Saudi Arabia as well as to determine the highest habitat with seed bank of N. glauca. Soil samples were collected from three locations (Alwaht, Ash-shafa, and Ar Ruddaf), invaded with N. glauca, and analyzed for the soil seed bank. A soil seed experiment was designed in a greenhouse, whereby emerged plant seedlings were left to grow for three months and identified as well as the species density and biodiversity were assessed under and outside the canopy of N. glauca. Also, the floristic composition, life forms, and chorotype spectra of the plant species of the seed bank were analyzed. A total of 42 species, belonging to 23 families, were recorded in the soil seed bank. Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Cyperaceae were the major families (42.9%). The life form spectra of the recorded species were dominated by Therophytes (59.5%). Chorotype spectra analysis revealed that Mediterranean, Saharo-Arabian, and Irano-Turanian were the most represented elements. The species richness and evenness were higher outside the canopy, which indicates a negative effect of the invasive shrub N. glauca on the plant biodiversity in the study area, particularly in Ar Ruddaf location. This could be attributed to the competition or allelopathic effect of N. glauca. In contrast, the density of N. glauca seeds was higher under the canopy compared to outside. The soil nutrients and moisture under the canopy were higher than outside canopy. The present study provides a deeper understanding of the most susceptible habitats or communities to the invasion by N. glauca and thereby open the challenge toward control of this noxious plant and vegetation restoration.

Treatment of water hyacinth anaerobic fermentation wastewater by combining Fe-C micro-electrolysis with Fenton reaction

Abstract The anaerobic fermentation of water hyacinth is an effective way to turn waste-water hyacinth (a noxious plant of malignant growth) into treasure (methane). However, the technology also brings much water hyacinth anaerobic fermentation wastewater with high COD value, high ammonia nitrogen value and deep color, and thus specific treatment of wastewater is required before its drainage. In this study, iron-carbon micro-electrolysis combined with Fenton reaction was used to treat the water hyacinth anaerobic fermentation wastewater. Removal rate of COD after iron-carbon treatment and Fenton reaction were around 85 % and 80 %, and removal rate of ammonia nitrogen and color were 95 % and nearly 100 % after adjusting pH to alkaline following Fenton reaction in the optimal processing conditions: pH before micro-electrolysis and before Fenton reaction was adjusted to 2.0 and 3.0, 0.15 % (v/v) hydrogen peroxide was the most economical and efficient concentration for Fenton reaction. After iron-carbon micro-electrolysis and Fenton reaction, COD, ammonia nitrogen and absorbance of wastewater were reduced to less than 50 mg/L, 25 mg/L, and almost 0 from the initial value 720 mg/L, 275 mg/L and 0.155, respectively, and all of these satisfy the national emission standards. In the scale up and continuous treatment, good results were also obtained under the optimal conditions. Overall, iron-carbon micro-electrolysis combined with Fenton reaction can effectively treat water hyacinth fermentation wastewater and this technology will make the utilization of water hyacinth resources to be much more environmentally friendly.

Investigation of host-specificity of phytopathogenic fungi isolated from woody plants

Host-specificity is an important characteristic of fungal pathogens. Changing climate could create more appropriate environmental conditions for phytopathogens, thus formerly host-specify fungi could be able to colonize new hosts. Noxious plant pathogen fungi, which can infect several plant species are well-known worldwide. These genera may expand their range of hosts because of the appearance in new geographic areas due to climate change. This new exposure can result in serious problems in agriculture because of the lack of immunity. The susceptibility of apple tree was studied through testing pathogenicity in vitro with species isolated from walnut twigs and nuts, and identified by ITS sequences. Three of four tested species, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diaporthe eres and Diplodia seriata colonized and necrotized the infected apple branches, while Juglanconis juglandina was not able to infect the twigs. Members of Botryosphaeriaceae were the most virulent, causing the largest lesions in the fastest way. This experiment draws attention to the threat of new host-pathogen connections, which can arise because of the favourable weather conditions and can spread between neighbouring cultures.

Spatial Surveillance of Invasion by Alien Species in a Heterogeneous Ecological Landscape

This article is an attempt to assess the invasion risk from the most noxious alien plant species using the GPS recorded locations and environmental variables. The invasion risk was modelled by combining the three ecological niche modelling algorithms- DesktopGARP, Openmodeller DesktopGARP and Maxent after validating their accuracies. The accuracies ranged from moderate to good in all the algorithms, for all six species. The result showed Ageratina adenophora and Ageratum conyzoides as highly invasive species both in terms of area coverage and the ecological tolerance range of the study site. It was also indicative that, irrespective of the species, agricultural lands are most susceptible to invasion among all other types of land uses in the study area.

Invasive Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), an Allergy and Health Challenge.

Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC), is an medium-sized tree (family Fabaceae, subfamily Mimosoideae), that has been intorcuded around the world. It is a noxious invasive species in Africa, Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula and a source of highly allergenic pollen in. The present article reviews the adverse allergenic effects of P. juliflora pollen on human and animal health. Several studies have diagnosed that allergenic pollens from Prosopis spp. can provoke respiratory problems. Prosopis pollen extracts have 16 allergenic components of which nine proteins were recognized as major allergens with some of them showing cross-reactivity. Clinically, understanding Prosopis pollen production, flowering seasonality, pollen load, and dispersal in the atmosphere are important to avoid allergic consequences for local inhabitants. Climate change and other pollution can also help to further facilitate allergenic issues. Furthermore, we document other human and animal health problems caused by invasive Prosopis trees. This includes flesh injuries, dental and gastric problems, and the facilitation of malaria. This review summarizes and enhances the existing knowledge about Prosopis flowering phenology, aeroallergen, and other human and animal health risks associated with this noxious plant.

Involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatotoxicity induced by Ageratina adenophora in mice.

Ageratina adenophora is a noxious plant and it is known to cause acute asthma, diarrhea, depilation, and even death in livestock (Zhu et al., 2007; Wang et al., 2017). A. adenophora grows near roadsides and degraded land worldwide (He et al., 2015b). In the areas where it grows, A. adenophora is an invasive species that inhibits the growth of local plants and causes poisoning in animals that come in contact with it (Nie et al., 2012). In China, these plants can be found in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Chongqing, and other southwestern areas (He et al., 2015a) and they have become a dominant species in these local regions. It threatens the native biodiversity and ecosystem in the invaded areas and causes serious economic losses (Wang et al., 2017). It has been reported that A. adenophora can grow in the northeast direction at a speed of 20 km per year in China (Guo et al., 2009). Because of the damage caused by A. adenophora, it ranks among the earliest alien invasive plant species in China (Wang et al., 2017).

Succession after reclamation: Identifying and assessing ecological indicators of forest recovery on reclaimed oil and natural gas well pads

Abstract Site preparation for oil and gas extraction often requires the complete removal of vegetation and surface soil on the well pad. Although subsequent reclamation then attempts to restore vegetation and soil properties on the well pad, given the magnitude of the extraction disturbance, the potential to shift its successional trajectory is high. The objectives of this study were to: i) assess successional recovery of vegetation and soil on decommissioned and reclaimed well pads and compare it with reference forest of varied successional stages, and ii) identify which above- and below-ground properties were influenced by reclamation and are thus useful ecological indicators for recovery towards forest. We sampled 30 study units in Alberta’s boreal forest; each site included a reclaimed well pad and adjacent reference site, with well pads ranging from 7 to 48 years post-reclamation. We conducted multivariate statistical analysis using 62 ecological above- and below-ground properties (e.g., percent cover of plant species, soil bulk density) categorized by: site type (reclaimed vs reference), natural subregion, forest stage, forest type, and time since reclamation. By grouping sites by site type, forest type, forest stage, and time since last disturbance, there was a clear separation of sites, with only two reclaimed well pads (7%) resembling plant community composition of reference areas, and 18 well pads (60%) resembling treeless grasslands, two of which were > 35 years post disturbance, indicating an arrested recovery trajectory. The remaining 33% of well pads are likely on a trajectory towards recovery. We found that reclamation had a significant effect on soil bulk density (E = 0.35), soil pH (E = 0.24), noxious plant species (E = 2.33), canopy cover (E = −0.26), grass cover (E = 0.16), woody cover (E = −0.18), LFH depth (E = −0.15), introduced species richness (E = 0.26), and live tree basal area (E = −0.17) after controlling for forest stage and time since disturbance. Our results indicate well pad impacts can be long lasting and may remain for decades or more post reclamation, potentially arresting their recovery trajectory.