Mined Land
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Coal extraction alters original soil conditions
More details -
Transition T1B
Coal extraction; materials replaced, but compaction/restrictive layer present
More details -
Transition T1C
Coal extraction; restoration; soil is replaced by major horizons
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference Analogy State describes pre-mined conditions. Rangeland, tame pasture, woodlands, and miscellaneous uses may have been present as the pre-mined land use.
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by very deep, well drained, soils impacted by mining operations. Kanima is a moderately permeable soil formed in a regolith (a layer of unconsolidated rocky material covering bedrock) from surface coal mining operations. The Barge series consists of soils on spoil banks dredged from rivers and streams in long, narrow ridges.
Vegetative communities will vary depending on age of spoil banks and post-mining management. Older spoil banks and disturbed areas are often wooded and include species such as winged elm, common hackberry, eastern cottonwood, and black locust. Dogwoods, green briar, poison ivy and blackberries are often present. Level areas may be utilized as managed pasture and seeded with cool-season grasses such as fescue, brome, and bermudagrass. A few areas are managed for public recreation or wildlife and include areas restored to native grasses.
Submodel
Description
The Restricted Depth State includes sites that have a shallow to moderately deep restrictive layer in the soil profile. This state is often characterized by shallow, salvaged topsoil from pre-mined areas over dense fill. The substratum material is either replaced rock and/or rock fragments from shale, limestone, and sandstone. Other areas include surface mined spoils which have been smoothed and contain geologic materials that are less than strongly cemented, soil material, and rock fragments.
Submodel
Description
The Reclaimed Mined Land State consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils (such as Brazilton) on interfluves and hillslopes with slopes usually below 5 percent. Depth to bedrock is greater than 60 inches with no restrictive layer in the soil profile. Due to the level of restoration, this state is utilized for pasture and cultivated cropland.
Submodel
Mechanism
After coal extraction, overburden material is left as a series of piles of overburden, called spoil banks, with a deep trench at the side where operations ceased often filled with water. Area is abandoned and naturally reseeded primarily by woody plants.
Constraints to recovery
The inherent soil properties have been mechanically altered and is unable to return to its original conditions.
Mechanism
After coal extraction, spoil material is leveled and smoothed but may result in excessive compaction of the spoil material. Most areas are reseeded to grass and legume mixes.
Constraints to recovery
The inherent soil properties have been mechanically altered and is unable to return to its original conditions.
Mechanism
After coal extraction, topsoil is removed from the land in a separate layer, replaced ion the backfill area, or if not utilized immediately, segregated it in a separate pile from other spoil. Land affected is restored to a condition capable of supporting the uses which it was capable of before mining.
Constraints to recovery
After coal extraction, excavated material has been replaced by major horizons. Site is utilized for pasture or crop production.
Model keys
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.