- Library Home /
- Search Collections /
- Open Collections /
- Browse Collections /
- British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium /
- Two decades of reclamation research in the subalpine...
Open Collections
British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium
Two decades of reclamation research in the subalpine region of Alberta Macyk, Terry M; Widtman, Z. W.; Betts, V.
Abstract
The Alberta Research Council has conducted a surface mine reclamation research program in association with the operations of Smoky River Coal Ltd. near Grande Cache, Alberta since 1972. The main objective of this long-term on-going study is to develop and refine methods of establishing and maintaining a vegetative cover that is in harmony with adjacent undisturbed areas. Use of appropriate materials handling techniques including coversoil replacement strategies and selection of suitable plant species combined with good management practices has resulted in the establishment of diverse plant communities that allow for different land use options. The soils reconstructed after mining are generally coarser textured, higher in pH and lower in available nutrients than unmined soils. Plot studies to determine the suitability and adaptability of various agronomic and native grasses and legumes as well as fertilization trials were established and monitored annually. Container and bare root conifer seedlings and cuttings of deciduous species were utilized initially to establish trees and shrubs in the area. Direct seeding has also proven to be a viable method for establishment of trees and shrubs in the area. Long-term monitoring results indicte that desirable agronomic species will thrive and reproduce at this elevation and that native species including trees and shrubs will invade the revegetated areas. Coarse fragment content, distance from nearest upwind seed source and slope were identified as the most significant variables influencing native species invasion of previously revegetated areas. Long-term climate monitoring data support the conclusion that climate is the most limiting factor to reclamation success in the region. Firm conclusions and recommendations regarding appropriate reclamation practices for the region can be drawn from the results of the long-term research effort and monitoring of operational reclamation. The success of reclamation in the study area is measured by the productivity achieved and the presence of and utilization by wildlife.
Item Metadata
Title |
Two decades of reclamation research in the subalpine region of Alberta
|
Creator | |
Contributor | |
Date Issued |
1991
|
Description |
The Alberta Research Council has conducted a surface mine reclamation
research program in association with the operations of Smoky River Coal
Ltd. near Grande Cache, Alberta since 1972. The main objective of this
long-term on-going study is to develop and refine methods of
establishing and maintaining a vegetative cover that is in harmony with
adjacent undisturbed areas. Use of appropriate materials handling
techniques including coversoil replacement strategies and selection of
suitable plant species combined with good management practices has
resulted in the establishment of diverse plant communities that allow
for different land use options. The soils reconstructed after mining
are generally coarser textured, higher in pH and lower in available
nutrients than unmined soils. Plot studies to determine the suitability
and adaptability of various agronomic and native grasses and legumes as
well as fertilization trials were established and monitored annually.
Container and bare root conifer seedlings and cuttings of deciduous
species were utilized initially to establish trees and shrubs in the
area. Direct seeding has also proven to be a viable method for
establishment of trees and shrubs in the area. Long-term monitoring
results indicte that desirable agronomic species will thrive and
reproduce at this elevation and that native species including trees and
shrubs will invade the revegetated areas. Coarse fragment content,
distance from nearest upwind seed source and slope were identified as
the most significant variables influencing native species invasion of
previously revegetated areas. Long-term climate monitoring data support
the conclusion that climate is the most limiting factor to reclamation
success in the region. Firm conclusions and recommendations regarding
appropriate reclamation practices for the region can be drawn from the
results of the long-term research effort and monitoring of operational
reclamation. The success of reclamation in the study area is measured
by the productivity achieved and the presence of and utilization by
wildlife.
|
Extent |
466378 bytes
|
Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
|
Language |
eng
|
Date Available |
2009-08-26
|
Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
|
Rights |
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
|
DOI |
10.14288/1.0042196
|
URI | |
Affiliation | |
Peer Review Status |
Unreviewed
|
Scholarly Level |
Other
|
Copyright Holder |
British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation
|
Rights URI | |
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
|
Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International