Forestry reclamation of disturbed surface mine lands

Abstract

The goal of forestry reclamation is creation of naturally stable and productive forests on disturbed surface mine soil in as little time as possible which generate value for their owners and provide watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and other environmental services. This paper describes research conducted to study the forestry reclamation of disturbed surface mine lands. Soil data for forestry reclaimed land in Rheinish lignite area has also been compared to that of adjacent undisturbed forestry land to investigate the effectiveness of reclamation and soil management operations in restoring the disturbed surface mine land similar to adjacent undisturbed land.