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Diversity Is Not Everything

Author

Listed:
  • Drew A. Scott

    (D.A. Scott, Ronin Institute, 127 Haddon Pl., Montclair, NJ 07043, USA)

  • Kathryn D. Eckhoff

    (Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA)

  • Nicola Lorenz

    (School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Richard Dick

    (School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Rebecca M. Swab

    (Restoration Ecologist, Granville, OH 43023, USA)

Abstract

Since the passage of legislation in 1977, Appalachian mineland reclamation is typically completed using non-native C 3 grasses and forbs. Alternatively, reclamation with native prairie (C 4 ) grasses and forbs offers a more ecologically friendly alternative that can contribute to native plant conservation and potentially improve soil properties more quickly than shallower rooted C 3 cool-season grasses. We assessed the establishment of native prairie after reclamation, evaluating three treatments for six years after planting—traditional cool season planting, native prairie planted at light density, and native prairie planted at heavy density. All treatments reached the objectives of reclamation—percentage of ground covered by vegetation—within 2 years after planting. All treatments at all sites, except for one site by treatment combination near a forest, showed an increase in plant species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity in the first four years of reclamation, a peak around 5 years, and subsequent decrease. Little difference in plant richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity among treatments was observed. However, the two native seed mixes quickly diverged from the traditional mix in terms of community structure and diverged further over time, with both native treatments heading towards a more desirable native prairie grassland state, while the traditional mix remained dominated by non-native cool season grasses. The native treatments also exhibited greater increase in microbial biomass and fungi:bacteria ratio over time compared to the traditional mix. Soil organic carbon increased over time regardless of seed mix treatment. Exchangeable base cations and phosphorus generally decreased over time, as expected, regardless of seed mix treatment, likely due to uptake from established plants. Native grassland species were able to establish despite inclusion of some traditional species in the native mix. Native plant establishment likely resulted in benefits including pollinator resources, bird and wildlife habitat, and increased soil health, and we recommend that native prairie mixes be used directly in reclamation moving forward, as they are able to meet reclamation goals while establishing a successful native prairie plant community.

Suggested Citation

  • Drew A. Scott & Kathryn D. Eckhoff & Nicola Lorenz & Richard Dick & Rebecca M. Swab, 2021. "Diversity Is Not Everything," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:10:p:1091-:d:657416
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Lima, Ana T. & Mitchell, Kristen & O’Connell, David W. & Verhoeven, Jos & Van Cappellen, Philippe, 2016. "The legacy of surface mining: Remediation, restoration, reclamation and rehabilitation," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 227-233.
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    4. Rebecca M. Swab & Nicola Lorenz & Nathan R. Lee & Steven W. Culman & Richard P. Dick, 2020. "From the Ground Up: Prairies on Reclaimed Mine Land—Impacts on Soil and Vegetation," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-19, November.
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    6. Yi Yang & David Tilman & George Furey & Clarence Lehman, 2019. "Soil carbon sequestration accelerated by restoration of grassland biodiversity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, December.
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