the appalachian regional reforestation initiative ... · pdf version of the power point...
Post on 28-Sep-2020
0 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
The Appalachian Regional The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative –
R i F Mi d Restoring Forests on MinedLand Land
Patrick N. Angel Ph.D.Patrick N. Angel, Ph.D.Senior Forester/Soil Scientist
USDI, Office of Surface MiningLondon KentuckyLondon, Kentucky
Virginia Tech Powell River Project
Unweathered ShaleUnweathered ShaleWeathered SandstoneUnweathered SandstoneForest Topsoil
15-year response of trees and forages
University of KentuckyStarfire Research ComplexStarfire Research Complex
1 yr 7 yr3 yr
Compacted siteNon-compacted site
West Virginia Universityg yCatenary Coal Samples Mine Research
Methods
University of KentuckyUniversity of KentuckyBent Mountain Research Complex
What do trees want?• Physical properties
At l t 4 f t d• At least 4 feet deep• Non-compacted• Rocks easily weatheredy• A sandy loam texture
• Chemical properties• Low to moderate levels of soluble salts• An equilibrium pH of 5.5 to 6.5
Low pyritic sulfur• Low pyritic sulfur• Fertility
• Adequate levels of N, P, K and other essential nutrientsAdequate levels of N, P, K and other essential nutrients
The Forestry Reclamation yApproach
STEP 1:Create a suitable rooting medium forCreate a suitable rooting medium for good tree growth that is no less than 4 f t d d i d f4 feet deep and comprised of topsoil, weathered sandstone and/or the best available material
The Forestry Reclamation yApproach
STEP 2:Loosely grade the topsoil or topsoil substitute established in step one tosubstitute established in step one to create a non-compacted growth mediummedium
Ohio Kentucky
TennesseeWest VirginiaWest Virginia
The Forestry Reclamation yApproach
STEP 3:Use ground covers that are compatible with growing treeswith growing trees
The Forestry Reclamation yApproach
STEP 4:Plant two types of trees – early successional species for wildlife andsuccessional species for wildlife and soil stability, and commercially valuable crop treesvaluable crop trees
The Forestry Reclamation yApproach
STEP 5:Use proper tree planting techniques
Mined land reforestation productivity potential
83Tree Height (ft)
Site Index 70 ft
Site Index 56 ft66 good site
siteSite Index 45 ft
33
50 average site
poor site
Relative StemV l /
16
33
Age
25
Relative StemValue/acre$ 20x
Relative StemValue/acre$5Value/acre
$ 1x
mine soil quality and quantity0 5 10 15 20 25 300
Base
A
poor good
$ 5x
Age (years)p g
Study conducted by Jim Burger, Virginia Tech
The FRA as EPA’s BMP for HFs and MTRs?
• Carbon sequestration rates of 3 Mg/ha/yr (Maharaj et al., 2007)
for HFs and MTRs?
• Reduced runoff and erosion (Taylor et al., 2009)
• Improved water quality (Angel et al., 2008)
A l t d t l i• Accelerated natural succession (Hall et al., 2009; Angel et al., 2007; Cook, 2007)
• American Chestnut restoration (French et al., 2008)
• Cost savings and economic returns (Michels 2008)Cost savings and economic returns (Michels, 2008)
50000
"Old" C "New" C Biomass 2500
2008 Avg = 290 uS
20000
30000
40000
il C
arbo
n (k
g/ha
)
1000
1500
2000
uS/c
m
Mixed 4Mixed 5Linear (Mixed 4)Linear (Mixed 5)
2008 Avg. = 290 uS
0 2 3 8Stand Age (years)
0
10000So
0
500
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 432005 2006 2007
The Appalachian Regional pp gReforestation Initiative
Restoring healthy productive forests on mined land Restoring healthy productive forests on mined land
ARRI is a joint effort between…OSM and the Appalachian coal states
ARRI’s goals:ARRI s goals:•Plant more high-value hardwood trees...
•increase the survival rates and growth rates of planted trees...p
•and expedite the establishment of forest habitat through natural succession
Appalachian Regional Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative
ARRI’s Science TeamOhio UniversityOhio State University
US Forest ServiceUS Geological SurveyOhio State University
Pennsylvania State University Purdue University
US Geological SurveyTACF OSMPurdue University
Southern Illinois UniversityUniversity of Kentucky
OSM
University of MarylandUniversity of TennesseeVirginia Polytechnic InstituteWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia State UniversityWest Virginia State University
ARRI’s Science Team
Since 2004…about 70 million trees have been planted
on about 103,000 acres
ARRI’s work on legacy mines…
177 500 trees177,500 treesover 2,500 volunteers
250 acres22 sites in 6 states22 sites in 6 states
MISSION T iMISSION: To restore ecosystem services on disturbed lands through reforestation to
h h li f lif f A i i ienhance the quality of life for American citizens.
green forests workgreen forests work…..
….to mitigate climate change,
….to improve water quality,
….to restore habitat,
….to create economic opportunities.
green forests work….for Appalachiagreen forests work….for Appalachiag ppg pp(≈1 million acres of reclaimed grass/shrub lands in Appalachia)
•CCC modeled program to stimulate economy, create jobs and improve the environment
•Plant millions of trees on several hundred thousand acres of barren mine landmine land
•Create much needed jobs in Appalachia
planting for the futurep g f f
…one tree at a time
coming soon: www.greenforestswork.org
http://arri.osmre.gov
top related