Abstract: Followup Evaluation of Revegetation Success and Wildlife Use of a Reclaimed Coal Refuse Site in Macoupin County, Illinois

Edwin D. Pentecost, Kirk E. LaGory, William S. Vinikour

Reclamation success of a 13.8 ha deep-mine, coal refuse site was evaluated ten years after final grading and seeding. Studies were conducted to evaluate vegetation composition and cover on a coal refuse (gob) pile, conditions in a pond created in a former coal slurry area, and wildlife use of the entire site. Results were compared with those from earlier studies conducted within the first five years of seeding. To evaluate the potential for vegetation establishment on the gob pile, soil depth and liming rate were varied in an initial demonstration project. Ten years after initial seeding, vegetation was well established throughout the site. Cover was greatest on plots with 60 cm of soil and a 224 t/ha liming rate. Soil depth seemed to be more important than liming rate in determining egetative cover. Perennial grasses dominated the demonstration plots one year after seeding. The pond showed indications of developing a productive ecosystem initially but 10 years later had a pH of 2.5, was devoid of invertebrates, had low phytoplankton diversity, and no emergent vegetation. Mammalian species observed on the revegetated gob and slurry areas in the initial years and 10 years later were typical of old field communities in southern Illinois. Thirty four bird species were observed in three site areas surveyed throughout the site. Species were typical of summer residents of old field and forest-edge communities of the area.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994