In:
Journal American Society of Mining and Reclamation, American Society of Reclamation Sciences (ASRS), Vol. 2003, No. 1 ( 2003-05), p. 1350-1380
Abstract:
Abstract. Interest in using technical standards to evaluate revegetation success, specifically for cover, production, and diversity parameters, at coal mines is increasing. To help evaluate the feasibility of developing such standards in Wyoming, a vegetation database was established for five mines in the Southern Powder River Basin. The baseline vegetation data for these mines comprised fifteen data sets (individual studies), and within these sets, the data were separated into five major and six minor standardized plant communities. Baseline data were collected during twelve years from 1978 through 1999, although not all standardized plant communities were sampled in each of those twelve years. In the two predominant plant communities, Mixed Grass Prairie (MGP) and Big Sagebrush Shrubland (BSS), statistical evaluations of the data sets revealed two important considerations. First, for cover data, the results are statistically different between quadrat and point-transect sampling methods. Second, herbaceous species production data can be correlated with precipitation over a relatively small area (e.g., an individual mine), but the influence of other factors, such as sampling methodology, preclude correlations over larger areas. Production data could not be correlated with Palmer Drought Indices, and cover data could not be correlated with either climate factor. The statistical evaluations also indicated significant differences between the data sets and between the mines. Based on all the evaluations of the available data, calculation of a regional data technical standard using detailed statistical methods may be difficult. While a simple approach, such as selection of a conservative number (e.g., the highest mean production value) might be considered, calculation of cover and production standards on an individual mine basis is considered feasible.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2328-8744
DOI:
10.21000/JASMR03011350
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
American Society of Reclamation Sciences (ASRS)
Publication Date:
2003
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