Synthesis Of 40 Years Of Reclamation Research

In 2010, Teck Coal initiated a project to compile data and interpretations on reclamation research that has taken place on their eight open-pit metallurgical coal mining operations from 1969 until 2010, resulting in reclamation of almost 7000 hectares of land, to produce a synthesis of the current state of knowledge with respect to reclamation techniques on these sites. This synthesis focuses on the following two questions: 1. What has Teck Coal learned in over 40 years of reclamation at its operations? or “What do we know?” and 2. What are the future challenges or needs with respect to reclamation research and practice? or “What do we need to know?”. The "What do we know?" body of work is briefly summarized in the Conclusions Section (to the right). As for the "What do we need to know?" section, the authors suggest continued work to: (1) further improve seed mixes to achieve better performance and adjust for meeting new reclamation objectives, such as increased focus on restoration of native ecosystems; (2) explore techniques that can replicate benefits of individual plant protectors without the effort/cost associated with their maintenance; and (3) learn more about which species mixes best support elk nutritional needs.

Plants with best longer-term persistence (5 years+) in reclamation: (1) native grasses and forbs – blue bunch wheatgrass, sheep fescue, mountain brome, and slender wheatgrass; and (2) naturalized/introduced grasses and forbs – hard fescue, Canada bluegrass, and creeping red fescue. Native species better for re-establishing natural biodiversity and may be better adapted in long term; introduced species bred to establish and control erosion quickly. Both provide ground cover and ungulate forage. All preferred elk browse shrub species (aspen, saskatoon, dogwood, willow, rose, and chokecherry) can be established on coal spoil. Long-term survival of ~ 50% can be achieved using optimal planting windows and plant protection. Additional species that contribute to habitat and minor forage and can successfully establish include Douglas maple, snowberry, wolf-willow, cottonwood, pine, and spruce. Buffalo berry and spirea are difficult to establish. Minimum forb interseeding delay for protected shrubs and trees should be 4 years following plant establishment, or 1 year following protector removal. Aspen, wolf-willow and alfalfa all meet Crude Protein elk dietary requirements of 5%, but only aspen has Total Digestible Nutrients over the 50% requirement, making it most crucial for elk diets.