Progress 01/29/14 to 11/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Coal mining industry personnel who are involved with mine reclamation activities; personnel with regulatory agencies that oversee mine reclamation activities; students in Virginia Tech classes as well as those from UVA who are learning about mine reclamation and remediation practices. Changes/Problems:Statistical analysis proved problematic. A major source of the problem was a decision to analyze the experimental results for block effects, which was not part of the experimental design and caused severe limitation to degrees of freedom. The decision was made to analyze for block effects because data analysis revealed that soil properties (block effects) had a major effect on experimental outcomes. As a result of that problem, a significant effort was required to ensure the adequacy of the statistical procedures that were employed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In spring 2014, two graduate students assistedwith field sampling. This experience enhanced their professional training. September 2014: A field tour of the experimental site was conducted for ~30 students enrolled in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences 3644, Plant Materials for Environmental Restoration, and the course instructor was Dr. A.O. Abaye. Experimental goals, activities, results to date, and significance were reviewed with the students. April 2014, April 2015, and April 2016: Field tours of the experimental site were conducted for students enrolled in Mining Engineering 4544, Mine Reclamation and Environmental Management, and the course instructorwas Dr.Emily Sarver (approximately 40 students per year, 120 students total). Experimental goals, activities, results to date, and significance were discussed with the students. These students are senior-level mining engineering students who are preparing to enter the mining industry, where many will be in positions that will enable them to apply the knowledge gained. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In April 2014, April 2015, April 2016, and April 2017, field tours were conducted at Powell River Project Research and Education Center for participants in Virginia Natural Resources Institute (VNLRI), a program for natural resource leaders that is led by faculty University of Virginia, Charlottesville. The tours visited reclaimed coal-mine areas where mine reforestation techniques, including those which are under study, are being applied. Research results and their significance were discussed with the VNLRI fellows, who represent industrial firms, natural resource agencies, and educational institutions from throughout the state of Virginia (approximately 35 VNLRI Fellows per year, 140 total). In August 2014, the investigator made a presentation entitled "Reclamation Practice Influences on Trees on a Virginia Mine Site After Six Years" at Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative Annual Meeting at Frostburg MD. This presentation described preliminary research results for an audience of mining industry and regulatory agency personnel who have responsibilities that concern mine reclamation and revegetation, subjects of the research. In June 2015, a mine reforestation workshop was held at the National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation. The investigator was co-organizer and session moderator for this workshop, which was attended by approximately 40 people. Attendees included representatives of the mining industry and regulatory agencies. In August 2016, the investigator made a presentation "Reclamation practice influences on the post-mining plant community at a Virginia mine site after six years" at the 2016 Conference of the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative in Knoxville TN. This presentation described complete research results for an audience of mining industry and regulatory agency personnel who have responsibilities that concern mine reclamation and revegetation, subjects of the research. In August 2016 following the above presentation, the investigator was a presenter for a panel discussion on the topic "Applications of the Forestry Reclamation Approach" at the 2016 Conference of the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative in Knoxville TN. This presentation described applications of research findings for an audience of mining industry and regulatory agency personnel who have responsibilities that concern mine reclamation and revegetation. In September 2016, a field tour was conducted at Powell River Project Research and Education Center areas where research findings are being applied. The field tour was conducted with approximately 10 visitors including students from University of Virginia's College at Wise. In June 2015, August 2015, and February 2017, Forest Reclamation Advisory publications were completed under the investigators' leadership. These Advisories are published and disseminated by Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, US Office of Surface Mining. Co-authors include scientists fromthroughout the region. These Advisories are disseminated to mining industry and regulatory agency personnel who are directly involved with mine reforestation practices by US Office of Surface Mining. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2008, experimental areas were established. In 2014, plant community status on the two experimental areas (planted with trees in early 2008) and the two operational areas (planted with trees in early 2006 and 2007) were assessed. In spring 2014, all trees growing within sampling plots established on the experimental areas and the operational areas were tallied by species and measured for height and diameter. In mid-summer, soil samples were taken from the sampling plots at two depths: at the surface, and about 6 inches below the surface. In late summer, vegetation sampling plots were established within the tree-sampling plots, and all vegetation growing within each vegetation sampling plot was identified by species and by groundcover class; and all observed species were classified as either planted or non-planted volunteer; and as either native or non-native (alien). In 2015, data were analyzed and a report to sponsors and stakeholders was prepared. In 2016-2017, a manuscript was prepared and submitted to a scientific journal. The initial manuscript, was not accepted by the journal. The manuscript was revised and submitted to a different journal; the journal editor's response to the submission included a request for additional information on statistical analyses. Advice was obtained from statistical consultants and the additional statistical information was prepared for addition to the manuscript. Research findings included results that provide clear guidance for forest restoration practice on coal surface mines and with consistent results asexpected based on smaller-plot experiments. Larger trees of native taxa were found on annual-ryegrass and tree-compatible seeded areas. Native understory plant cover was greater on areas seeded using tree-compatible plant species than on conventionally seeded areas. Where soils were of weathered-sandstone origin and mildly acidic like native soils, native trees grew larger and established greater canopy than in areas with alkaline-siltstone origin soils, where primary plant-community components were exotic. Soil-material selection and reclamation seeding influenced the developing plant communities as expected. Native trees established and grew where these practices were applied in accord with restoration science, and native understory plants established and proliferated in association with the native tree canopy. Exotic plants with potential to persist were prominent in all reclamation areas, but werelargest and most-prominent where alkaline soil materials were used for reclamation.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Burger J.A., P.N. Angel, C.E. Zipper. 2017. The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative: History, Organization, Outcome, and Future Role. Pp. 42-49, in: Reclamation Matters, Spring 2017 issue.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Horn T., P.N. Angel, C.E. Zipper, M. Ulyshen, M. French, J.A. Burger, M.B. Adams. 2017. Re-establishing pollinator habitat on mined lands using the forestry reclamation approach. Forest Reclamation Advisory No. 14. Appalachian Regional Reforestation Inititiative, US Office of Surface Mining.
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Coal mining industry personnel who are involved with mine reclamation activities; personnel with regulatory agencies that oversee mine reclamation activities; students in Virginia Tech classes who are learning about mine reclamation and remediation practices. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?April 2016: A field tour of experimental site was conducted with ~40 students enrolled in Mining Engineering 4544, Mine Reclamation and Environmental Management, and the course instructor, Dr. Emily Sarver. Experimental goals, activities, results to date, and significance were discussed with the students. These students are senior-level mining engineering students who are preparing to enter the mining industry, where many will be in positions that will enable them to use the knowledge gained. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?April 2016: A field tour of Powell River Project Research and Education Center areas where the technologies being investigated by the research are being applied was conducted with ~35 Fellows enrolled in the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute (VNLRI), a program for Virginia natural resource leaders that is led by faculty with the Institute of Environmental Negotiation at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Research results and their significance were discussed with the VNLRI fellows, who represent industrial firms, natural resource agencies, and educational institutions from throughout the state of Virginia. August 2016: Presentation on the research and its results to the 2016 Conference of the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, which was attended by reclamation practitioners from mine-reclamation agencies and industry. August 2016: Participant in panel discussion at the 2016 Conference of the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative. Panel Topic: Applications of the Forestry Reclamation Approach. September 2016: A field tour of Powell River Project Research and Education Center areas where the technologies being investigated by the research are being applied was conducted with ~10 visitors, including students from University of Virginia's College at Wise. Book Preparation: Over the period extending from 2005-2015, I served as coordinating editor and co-author for 12 Forest Reclamation Advisories, outreach publications to the mining industry that are developed with peer review and were published by US Office of Surface Mining. In 2016, my efforts were instrumental to an effort by US Forest Service to republish these advisories as a numbered US Forest Service publication. That publication effort is being led by Dr. M.B. Adams of US Forest Service. Re-publication of these advisories by the US Forest Service will lead to their inclusion on the US Forest Service publications' database, and will expand their audience. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?I expect to complete preparation of a revised manuscript, and submit it to a peer-reviewed journal.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2008, experimental areas were established. In 2014, plant community status on the two experimental areas (planted with trees in early 2008) and the two operational areas (planted with trees in early 2006 and 2007) was assessed. Also, soils were sampled; and samples were analyzed in the laboratory. In 2015, data analysis was continued in preparation for preparing a project report and a manuscript for peer-review journal submission. In 2016, a manuscript was prepared and submitted to a scientific journal. That initial manuscript was not accepted by the journal. The manuscript has been revised and is in the final stage of preparation for submission to a different journal.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
C.E. Zipper, S.K. Klopf, R.J. Krenz, D.M. Evans, J.A. Burger, C.W. Fields-Johnson. 2016. Establishing Hardwood Forests on Appalachian Mine Sites Using the Forestry Reclamation Approach. p.52-72 in: 2016 Powell River Project Research and Education Program Reports.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Barton C.D., K. Sena, T. Dolan, P.N. Angel, C.E. Zipper. 2016. Restoring Forests on Surface Coal Mines in Appalachia: A Regional Reforestation Approach With Global Application. In: B.B. Kirkham, N. Bolan (eds). Spoil to Soil: Mine site rehabilitation and revegetation. Taylor and Francis.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Skousen J.G., C.E. Zipper. 2016. Post-mining Land Use Options in the Appalachian Coal Mining Region of the USA. In: From Start to Finish A Life-of-Mine Perspective. Australian Minerals Institute.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Skousen J.G., C.E. Zipper, L.M. McDonald, J. Hubbart, P. Ziemkiewicz. 2016. Reclamation and Water Management on Coal Mines. Chapter 21, in: J. Hirschi (ed.). Advances in Productive, Safe, and Responsible Coal Mining. Woodhead Publishing, Elsevier.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
C.E. Zipper, S. Koropchak, D.M. Evans, R.J. Krenz, J.A. Burger, C. Fields-Johnson. 2016. Reclamation Practice Influences on the Post-Mining Plant Community at a Virginia Mine Site After Six Years. American Society of Mining and Reclamation Annual Meeting. 8 June 2016,
Spokane WA.
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Coal mining industry personnel who are involved with mine reclamation activities; personnel with regulatory agencies that oversee mine reclamation activities; students in Virginia Tech classes who are learning about mine reclamation and remediation practices. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?April 2015: A field tour of experimental site was conducted with ~40 students enrolled in Mining Engineering 4544, Mine Reclamation and Environmental Management, and the course instructor, Dr. Emily Sarver. Experimental goals, activities, results to date, and significance were discussed with the students. These students are senior-level mining engineering students who are preparing to enter the mining industry, where many will be in positions that will enable them to use the knowledge gained. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?January 2015: A book chapter, written with colleagues from throughout the region, was published in a book that has been prepared for an audience of mining engineers (also reportedabove). April 2015: A field tour of Powell River Project Research and Education Center areas where the technologies being investigated by the research are being applied was conducted with ~35 Fellows enrolled in the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute (VNLRI), a program for Virginia natural resource leaders that is led by faculty with the Institute of Environmental Negotiation at University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Research results and their significance were discussed with the VNLRI fellows, who represent industrial firms, natural resource agencies, and educational institutions from throughout the state of Virginia. June 2015: A mine reforestation workshop was held at the National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation. The investigator was co-organizer and session moderator for this workshop, which was attended by approximately 40 people (also reported above). Two Forest Reclamation Advisory publications were completed under the investigators' leadership. These Advisories are published and disseminated by Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, US Office of Surface Mining. Co-authors include scientists from the throughout the region. These Advisories disseminated to mining industry and regulatory agency personnel who are directly involved with mine reclamation practices by US Office of Surface Mining. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?I expect to conduct a full analysis of the data, and to prepare a manuscript for peer-reviewed journal submission.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2008, experimental areas were established. In 2014, plant community status on the two experimental areas (planted with trees in early 2008) and the two operational areas (planted with trees in early 2006 and 2007) was assessed. Also, soils were sampled; and samples were analyzed in the laboratory. In 2015, data analysis was continued in preparation for preparing a project report and a manuscript for peer-review journal submission, in 2016.
Publications
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Zipper C., C. Barton, J. Franklin, P. Angel, J. Skousen, J. Burger. 2015. Best Practices for Forest Restoration when Reclaiming Surface Coal Mines in Eastern USA. Chapter 23, p.663-704 in: Jarvie-Eggart, M. (ed). Responsible Mining: Sustainable Practices in the Mining Industry. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration.
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Progress 01/29/14 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences: Coal mining industry personnel who are involved with mine reclamation activities; personnel with regulatory agencies that oversee mine reclamation activities; students in Virginia Tech classes who are learning about mine reclamation and remediation practices. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We engaged two graduate students to assist with field sampling. This experience enhanced their professional training. April 2014: A field tour of experimental site was conducted with ~40 students enrolled in Mining Engineering 4544, Mine Reclamation and Environmental Management, and the course instructor, Dr.Emily Sarver. Experimental goals, activities, results to date, and significance were discussed with the students. These students are senior-level mining engineering students who are preparing to enter the mining industry, where many will be in positions that will enable them to use the knowledge gained. September 2014: Field tour of experimental site with ~30 students enrolled in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences 3644, Plant Materials for Environmental Restoration, and the course instructor Dr.Ozzie Abaye. Experimental goals, activities, results to date, and significance were discussed with the students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? April 2014: A field tour of Powell River Project Research and Education Center areas where the technologies being investigated by the research are being applied was conducted with ~35 Fellows enrolled in the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute (VNLRI), a program for Virginia natural resource leaders that is led by faculty with the Institute of Environmental Negotiation at University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Research results and their significance were discussed with the VNLRI fellows, who represent industrial firms, natural resource agencies, and educational institutions from throughout the state of Virginia. August 2014: Presentation by C.E. Zipper entitled "Reclamation Practice Influences on Trees on a Virginia Mine Site After Six Years" at Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, Annual Meeting. 6 August 2014. Frostburg MD. This presentation described preliminary research results for an audience of mining industry and regulatory agency personnel who have responsibilities that concern mine reclamation and revegetation, subjects of the research. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? I expect to conduct a full analysis of the data, and to prepare a manuscript for peer-reviewed journal submission.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2014, plant community status on the two experimental areas (planted with trees in early 2008) and the two operational areas (planted with trees in early 2006 and 2007) was assessed. In spring 2014, all trees growing within sampling plots established on the experimental areas and the operational areas were tallied by species and measured for height and diameter. In summer, 2014, soil samples were taken from the sampling plots at two depths: at the surface, and about 6 inches below the surface. In late summer, 2014, vegetation sampling plots were established within the tree-sampling plots, and all vegetation growing within each of those plots was identified by species and by groundcover class; and all observed species were classified as either planted or non-planted volunteer; and as either native or non-native (alien). A preliminary analysis of tree establishment and growth data was conducted.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Zipper, Carl, Sara Koropchak, Robert Krenz and Daniel Evans. 2014. Reclamation grading and seeding influences on trees on a Virginia mine site after six years. p.65-68 in: Powell River Project Research and Education Program Reports. Powell River Project, Virginia Tech.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Groninger J., J.G. Skousen, P.N. Angel, C.D. Barton, J.A. Burger and C.E. Zipper. Mine reclamation practices to enhance forest development through natural succession. p. 40-46, in: Reclamation Matters. Spring 2014 issue.
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