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Soil fauna recolonization of high elevation mine spoils in southeastern British Columbia

British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium; University of British Columbia. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering

Although a great deal of work is still to be done in this study, research may be summarized in a number of points. 1. Acari and Collembola are abundant on all study sites, including the youngest re claimed area. 2. Enchytraeids are present in the subalpine meadow, and absent from all reclaimed study sites. 3. Nematodes are very rare on the younger reclaimed study sites. 4. Dipterans (flies) are diverse and abundant on all sites. 5. Inoculation sources of soil organisms are likely found in small patches of undisturbed subalpine forest. 6. A trial introduction of earthworms successfully survived the summer of 1983. It is likely that this study will indicate that a desirable decomposer population of soil fauna is developing soon after the spoils have been reclaimed. The development of these spoils may be further enhanced by establishing favorable microsite conditions, providing an inoculation source, and possible inoculating reclaimed spoils with larger decomposer fauna such as earthworms. Attention to a number of details at the time of reclamation may ultimately enhance the decomposition/nutrient cycling processes, encourage self-sufficiency at an early age, and thus reduce fertilizer and other management costs.

Text

2010-01-20

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/18783

Unreviewed

British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation

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