Carbon Sequestration on Surface Mine Lands Quarterly Report (open access)

Carbon Sequestration on Surface Mine Lands Quarterly Report

The 2002-2003 Department of Energy plantings amounted to 164 acres containing 111,520 tree seedlings in eastern and western Kentucky. Data gathered on these trees included an inventory to determine survival of all planted species. A sub-sample of seedlings was selected to assess the height and diameter of individual species of seedlings established. Additional efforts involved collection of soil sample and litter samples, analysis of herbaceous ground cover from vegetation clip plots and leaf area on each tree species, and development of tissue collections. All areas were sampled for penetration resistance, penetration depth (or depth to refusal), and bulk density at various depths. Rain fall events and flow rates were recorded. The water quality of runoff samples involved the determination of total and settleable solids and particle size distribution. A study was initiated that will focus on the colonization of small mammals from forest edges to various areas located on reclaimed surface mines. This effort will provide a better understanding of the role small mammals and birds have in the establishment of plant communities on mine lands that will be useful in developing and improving reclamation techniques.
Date: October 30, 2003
Creator: Graves, Donald H.; Barton, Christopher; Sweigard, Richard & Warner, Richard
System: The UNT Digital Library
Carbon Sequestration on Surface Mine Lands Quarterly Report (open access)

Carbon Sequestration on Surface Mine Lands Quarterly Report

Over 160 acres of tree seedlings were planted during the last quarter. This quarter marked the beginning of the installation of new instrumentation and the inspection and calibration of previously installed recording devices. Sampling systems were initiated to quantify initial seedling success as well as height measurements. Nursery seedlings have been inoculated to produce mycorrhizal treated stock for 2004 spring plantings to determine the effects on carbon sequestration. All planting areas in western Kentucky have been sampled with the recording cone penetrometer and the nuclear density gauge to measure soil density.
Date: July 24, 2003
Creator: Graves, Donald H.; Barton, Christopher; Sweigard, Richard & Warner, Richard
System: The UNT Digital Library
Carbon Sequestration on Surface Mine Lands Quarterly Report (open access)

Carbon Sequestration on Surface Mine Lands Quarterly Report

Over 160 acres (64.8 ha) of tree seedlings have been planted in eastern and western Kentucky that depict a mixed stand similar to the native vegetation of the area. All these sites have been assessed and various instrumentation is or is planned for installation to monitor environmental conditions and changes on the areas. The environmental conditions include temperature, aspect, slope, rainfall, and other treatment or condition factors.
Date: June 24, 2003
Creator: Graves, Donald H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Carbon Sequestration on Surface Mine Lands Quarterly Report (open access)

Carbon Sequestration on Surface Mine Lands Quarterly Report

An authorized budget was unavailable during this first 3-month working period of this project. Our ability to use the $100K that DOE had dedicated to the project was frustrated by the internal problem of getting an account number issued to bill our expenses to. This has delayed the initiation of a portion of the tasks to be performed. However, enough has been accomplished to allow the project to meet the first years planting goals. This will also allow the initiation of several start-up activities that could not have been possible without established tree plantations.
Date: May 6, 2003
Creator: Graves, Donald H.
System: The UNT Digital Library