Growth of Forbs, Shrubs, and Trees on Bentonite Mine Spoil under Greenhouse Conditions

Uresk, Daniel W.; Yamamoto, Teruo

doi:10.2307/3899279

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Substrates for the wetlands consisted almost exclusively of bentonite, a clay that is low in organic matter and extremely high in sodium (Table 1; Davis 1963). While bentonite is an excellent sealant and permits these wetlands to retain water, it is a poor substrate for plant growth and has little nutrient value (Uresk and Yamamoto 1986).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Salvaged-Wetland Soil as a Technique to Improve Aquatic Vegetation at Created Wetlands in Wyoming, USA

McKinstry

2005

Wetlands Ecol Manage

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Aquatic plants usually establish following wetland creation from a variety of mechanisms including animal transport, inflows from nearby wetlands, wind dispersal, and seed banks if they are available. However, at created wetlands that are isolated from natural wetlands, aquatic plant communities may not establish even after 10 or more years. One method of improving the establishment of aquatic plants is through the use of salvaged-marsh soils. Using this method, wetland soil from a donor site is collected and spread across the basin of the created wetland. When the proper hydrologic regime is reached at the created site, the seed bank from the donor soil is then present to take advantage of the uncolonized site. Over 1500 wetlands have been created in northeast Wyoming, USA from bentonite mining and most of them have not developed submersed and emergent plant communities due to isolation from plant sources. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of using salvaged-wetland soil as a tool for improving plant growth at created wetlands. Our study took place at 12 newly created wetlands that were isolated from other wetlands by >5 km. Six wetlands were treated as reference wetlands, with no introductions of seeds or propagules. At the other six wetlands we spread %10-15 cm of salvaged soil from a donor wetland during the winter of 1999-2000. To identify the potential plants in donor soil, we collected 10 random samples from the donor wetlands and placed them within wetland microcosms in a greenhouse where they were treated to either moist-soil conditions (water at or just below the soil line) or submersed conditions (water levels maintained at 15-30 cm). Treatment wetlands were evaluated for plant growth during the fall of 2000 and 2001, whereas the greenhouse samples were grown for two growing seasons then harvested. Our results show that using salvaged wetland soil increases: (1) the number of plant species present at a wetland over time, (2) the total vegetation coverage in a treated wetland over time, and (3) the total plant biomass in a treated wetland. The species pool available in the salvaged wetland soil was limited to 10 obligate wetland species, but several of them are considered valuable to waterfowl and other wildlife. Furthermore, salvaged-wetland soil could be useful for ameliorating poor substrate conditions (i.e., bentonite) and improving conditions for the establishment of additional species. One concern with this technique is the introduction of invasive or exotic species that could form monocultures of undesirable plants (e.g., cattail [Typha spp.]); introducing more desirable species during the application of salvaged soil could reduce this probability. We believe incorporating salvaged-wetland soil during basin construction could be used to increase the value and productivity of created wetlands in this region.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Salvaged-Wetland Soil as a Technique to Improve Aquatic Vegetation at Created Wetlands in Wyoming, USA

McKinstry

2005

Wetlands Ecol Manage

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“…Terrestrial vegetation growth was improved on over 4,100 ha of terrestrial habitat with the addition of soil amendments, regrading and contouring, seeding, and fertilizing (Uresk and Yamamoto 1986, Schuman 1995, 1997, Schuman and Belden 1991, Schuman et al 1994). The addition of wood chips, gypsum, and calcium chloride which increase water infiltration and sodium leaching (Richmond 1989, Richmond 1991, Schuman 1995, were found to be the most cost effective strategies to increase terrestrial vegetation.…”

Section: Current Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wetland Enhancement and Creation on Reclaimed Abandoned Mined Lands in Northeast Wyoming

McKinstry¹,

Richmond²

2001

ASMR

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Abstract. Over l ,200 wetlands have been created in northeast Wyoming as a byproduct of bentonite mining activities. Most of these wetlands were created or enhanced as a result of the reclamation of abandoned bentonite surface mines by the Abandoned Mine Land Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WAML). Beginning in 1985, and eventually using over $40.6 million from fees collected for abandoned mine reclamation under the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of l 977 (SMCRA), W AML reclaimed over 3,320 hectares of terrestrial habitat and l 80 ha of wetland habitat at 236 AML sites. These reclamation activities included enhancing existing wetlands and creating new wetlands to mitigate for the destruction of jurisdictional (Section 404c of the Clean Water Act) wetlands that were deemed hazardous. Enhancement and creation activities produced small ( X = l .2 ha) and shallow ( < 2 m deep) wetlands, designed to provide maximum habitat benefits for migrating and breeding waterfowl. We subsequently examined 92 wetlands that had been enhanced or created under WAML. Our objectives were to identify physical variables that were important to waterfowl and could be manipulated during the construction process. In general, waterfowl use wetlands that are > l.O ha in size, have abundant emergent and submersed vegetation, and are located within complexes of> 5 wetlands within a l km radius. Soil qualities on abandoned bentonite sites are generally heavy clay in texture with high Exchangeable Sodium Percentages and require physical and chemical amendments to facilitate vegetative growth. Wetland plants have been slow to establish at these created wetlands because of the poor soils and a lack of suitable propagules; natural wetlands within this region are almost nonexistent and are mostly limited to seasonal playas and small creeks. Ongoing research, including both greenhouse experiments and field trials, has been focused on improving aquatic plant establishment and growth. Techniques to improve bentonite wetlands will be useful not only in future WAML activities, but to bentonite mining companies. Additional

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“…Area of emergent vegetation is influenced by several factors including seed availability, successional sere, number of growing seasons and weather since creation, water quality, water depth, and soil type. Establishing terrestrial vegetation on bentonite mine spoil can be extremely difficult (Uresk and Yamamoto 1986). In addition to high salinity concentrations, wetland plants growing on bentonite spoils are affected by increased water turbidity, reduced soil nutrients, and decreased root stability owing to the clay texture of bentonite.…”

Section: Wetland Habitat Value Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of wetland creation and waterfowl use in conjunction with Abandoned Mine Lands in northeast Wyoming

McKinstry

1994

Wetlands

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During 1991 and 1992, we studied 92 wetlands, including open water (ponds) and emergent communities, created as a result of Wyoming Abandoned Mine Lands' (AML) reclamation efforts in northeast Wyoming. Through these activities, over 300 wetlands were filled, reclaimed, created, or otherwise modified. For mitigation purposes, wetlands to be filled or modified were first evaluated using a Wetland Habitat Value (WHV) Model. Using the model, wetland losses were mitigated by increasing the WHV of some wetlands or by creating new wetlands elsewhere. We evaluated model performance in offsetting wetland loss and how well the model predicted waterfowl use. We also compared posI-reclamation wetland sizes to those predicted by engineering plans and submitted for Section 404 permit approval. In our study, predicted WHVs were overestimated at 100% of the wetlands for which pro-reclamation WHVs were available (n = 8). The most commonly overestimated variables were size, fraction of emergent cover, adjacent upland cover, and the number of bays and peninsulas. We obtained pro-construction size estimates for 64 of the original 80 wetlands. Fifty-five of 64 wetlands were smaller than pre-reclamation engineering goals. The WHV Model accurately predicted use of wetlands by migrating and breeding Canada geese (Branta canadensis), migrating dabbling ducks, and migrating diving ducks. Future users of the model must be careful not to overestimate resultsof planned mitigation efforts. Predicted size of constructed wetlands may be commonly overestimated; this possibility should be considered in mitigation plans, especially those involving wetland destruction.

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Growth of Forbs, Shrubs, and Trees on Bentonite Mine Spoil under Greenhouse Conditions

Cited by 13 publications

References 9 publications

Salvaged-Wetland Soil as a Technique to Improve Aquatic Vegetation at Created Wetlands in Wyoming, USA

Salvaged-Wetland Soil as a Technique to Improve Aquatic Vegetation at Created Wetlands in Wyoming, USA

Wetland Enhancement and Creation on Reclaimed Abandoned Mined Lands in Northeast Wyoming

Evaluation of wetland creation and waterfowl use in conjunction with Abandoned Mine Lands in northeast Wyoming

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