Topsoil and mulch effects on plant species and community responses of revegetated mined land

Published source details Pinchak B.A., Schuman G.E. & DePuit E.J. (1985) Topsoil and mulch effects on plant species and community responses of revegetated mined land. Journal of Range Management, 38, 262-265.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Add topsoil before seeding/planting Action Link

Add topsoil before seeding/planting

A replicated, controlled study in 1977–1981 in a formerly mined site in Wyoming, USA (Pinchak et al. 1985) found that adding topsoil before seeding increased plant species richness and biomass of seeded species in most cases, and reduced biomass of species that were not sown in most cases. Areas where topsoil was added and seeds sown had higher plant species richness (4.7–5.2 species/plot) than areas where no topsoil was added but seeds were sown (4.0 species/plot). In six of nine comparisons, the biomass of seeded species was higher in areas where topsoil was added and seeds were sown (445–984 kg/ha) than in areas where no topsoil was added but seeds were sown (180–410 kg/ha). In five of nine comparisons, the biomass of non-seeded species was lower in areas where topsoil was added and seeds were sown (189–952 kg/ha) than in areas where topsoil was not added but seeds were sown (448–1,115 kg/ha). In 1977, topsoil was added to a depth of 20–60 cm to fifteen 45.7 x 4.9 m plots, and no topsoil was added to five plots. Seeds of ‘Critana’ thickspike wheatgrass Agropyron dasystachyum, green needlegrass Stipa viridula, slender wheatgrass A. trachycaulum and ‘Rosana’ western wheatgrass A. smithii were sown at a rate of 15.5 kg/ha in all plots. Biomass was sampled by hand in 4–8 x 0.18-m² quadrats/plot in 1979–1981. Plant species richness was estimated using 50 x 20 cm quadrats (replication unclear).

(Summarised by: Philip Martin)