Forest Research: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2168-9776
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2168-9776
+44 1300 500008
Oswald BP
Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F Austin State University,
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Tanzania
Research Article
Vegetative Community Development Over 30 Years within Pine Plantations on Reclaimed Mine Land in East
Author(s): Christian CL, Oswald BP, Williams HM and Farrish KW
Christian CL, Oswald BP, Williams HM and Farrish KW
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 a.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2168-9776.1000194