JEQ Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education
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Published in J Environ Qual 13:399-404 (1984)
© 1984 American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
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Soil Depth Requirements for Revegetation of Surface-Mined Areas in Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota1

Richard C. Barth and Brooks K. Martin2

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to determine depth of soil that should be applied over spoil to ensure adequate production of cool-season grasses at surface mines in the Northern Great Plains. During a 6-yr period, data were collected from 15 wedge plots and the response of perennial grass production to increasing soil depth was measured. Production responses were dependent on spoil traits and four spoil types were recognized: generic, sodic, acid, and soil-like. Soil depth required for maximum production was 50 cm for generic spoil, 71 cm for sodic spoil, indeterminate for acid spoil, and 0 cm for soil-like spoil. Root penetration into spoil appeared limited to ≤ 10 cm, except for soil-like spoil where root penetration exceeded 110 cm. Native and introduced grasses responded in a similar manner to increasing soil depth, and precipitation had no significant effect on the depth of soil required for maximum grass production.

Key Words: spoil traits • rooting depth • reclamation • cool-season grasses

NOTES

1 Contribution of the Environ. Technol. Div., Colorado School of Mines Res. Inst., Golden, CO 80403. Research supported from funds provided by the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Dep. of Interior, under Contract no. J0265025.

2 Senior Research Ecologist and former Research Biologist, respectively, Colorado School of Mines Res. Inst.

Received for publication November 4, 1983.




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Copyright © 1984 by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.