Wetland development in a previously mined landscape of East Texas, USA

Published source details Hart T.M. & Davis S.E. (2011) Wetland development in a previously mined landscape of East Texas, USA. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 19, 317-329.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Reprofile/relandscape: freshwater marshes Action Link

Reprofile/relandscape: freshwater marshes

A replicated study in 2005–2006 of nine excavated depressions in formerly mined land in Texas, USA (Hart & Davis 2011) reported that they developed greater vegetation cover, species richness and biomass over time. Unless specified, statistical significance was not assessed. Vegetation was present in 35% of quadrats in the youngest marshes (0–2 years old), 60% of quadrats in intermediate marshes (7–8 years old) and 55% of quadrats sampled in the oldest marshes (17–18 years old). The oldest marshes contained 8–11 plant species, all of which were wetland-characteristic species. The intermediate marshes contained 7–9 species (5–9 wetland-characteristic) and the youngest marshes contained 3–8 species (2–8 wetland-characteristic). For data on the frequency of individual species, see original paper. Averaged over a year, above-ground vegetation biomass was significantly greater in the oldest marshes than the intermediate or youngest marshes (data not reported). Methods: In 2005–2006, vegetation was surveyed in nine marshes (1–23 ha; three young, three intermediate and three old) excavated in a historically mined area. The oldest marshes were excavated in 1987. Some upland species had been planted around the youngest marshes. Emergent and submerged plants were identified and counted in nine 0.25-m² quadrats/marsh/season, then live vegetation was cut, dried and weighed.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)