Plant Biomass, Cover, and Survival of Species Used for Stripmine Reclamation in South-Central Alaska, U.S.A.

Abstract

Two coal strip-mined areas in Alaska, one seeded in 1976 and another seeded in 1979, were surveyed in 1981 and 1985 to determine what plant species had survived and what species contributed the greatest amount of cover and biomass. We hypothesized that those species possessing characteristics suitable for revegetation in central Alaska would contribute the greatest cover, regardless of the year of seeding. Of the 19 species seeded in 1976, 9 were present in 1981, and 3 present in 1985. Eight of the 15 species seeded in 1979 were present in 1981 and 4 present in 1985. In 1981, Boreal red fescue (Festuca rubra cultivar “Boreal”) accounted for 50% cover and 53% of the biomass on the 1976 site, and 48% cover and 60% of the biomass on the 1979 site. Boreal red fescue contributed the greatest amount of cover on both study sites in 1985, accounting for 31 and 38% on the 1976 and 1979 sites, respectively. No biomass data were collected in 1985.