Date of Award

2021

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Awarded

Master of Science (MS)

Program

Range Science

Department

Natural Resource Sciences

College

Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources

Faculty Advisor

Limb, Ryan

Description

Surface mining operations in the Northern Plains result in complex grassland ecosystems being dismantled and later systematically reclaimed. Such processes can create long-term challenges with regards to the ecological recovery of reclaimed grasslands, prompting the need to find alternative reclamation practices that improve plant community dynamics and soil properties. We assessed both plant community characteristics (i.e., species richness, diversity, abundance, and community composition) and soil properties (i.e., penetration resistance and volumetric soil moisture) of reclaimed grasslands with alternative reclamation practices. Early findings showed that certain alternative reclamation practices may aid in the initial recovery of reclaimed grasslands by supporting desirable native plant communities and improving soil conditions. However, newly reconstructed landscapes are dynamic and are susceptible to change over time. Overall, we suggest continued monitoring of these reclaimed grasslands, and perhaps the use of supplemental management to maintain and/or enhance the current conditions.

Rights

NDSU policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/32627

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