Titre du document / Document title

The role of Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) in the revegetation of iron-mine tailings in Northern New York

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

CHOI Y. D. ⁽¹⁾ ; WALI M. K. ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Purdue univ. Calumet, dep. biological sci., Hammond IN 46321, ETATS-UNIS

Résumé / Abstract

We investigated the role of artificially introduced Panicum virgatum (switch grass) on the sequential natural revegetation of 15- and 35-year-old tailings in the Adirondack region of northern New York. Switch grass covered approximately 48% of the 15-year-old Chaumont Tailings. Establishment of switch-grass stands improved the fertility of the site by adding organic matter, raising pH, and elevating cation exchange capacity and concentrations of major nutrients (N, P, and K). Switch-grass stands also aided the initial recruitment of such pioneer species as Populus spp. (aspens), Salix spp. (willows), and Betula spp. (birches). This facilitation of recruitment of woody species is explained as follows: (1) robust switch-grass stands physically captured the wind-disseminated seeds of these species; (2) switch grass acted as a nurse crop for these species, thus these species were able to increase their density vigorously through root or stem sprouting; (3) a combination of both. Switch grass decreased its cover (14%), however, as observed in the 35-year-old South Tailings. As switch grass declined, such vigorous root-suckering species as aspens increased in dominance, followed by the invasion of Prunus pensylvanica (pin cherry).

Revue / Journal Title

Restoration ecology   ISSN 1061-2971   CODEN REECFA 

Source / Source

1995, vol. 3, n^o2, pp. 123-132 (52 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Blackwell, Malden, MA, ETATS-UNIS  (1993) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Revegetation ; Mine ; Iron ; Mine soil ; Introduced species ; Pioneer species ; Soil fertility ; Population recruitment ; Woody plant ; New York ; Panicum virgatum ; United States ; North America ; America ; Gramineae ; Monocotyledones ; Angiospermae ; Spermatophyta ; Fodder crop ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Remise en verdure ; Mine ; Fer ; Terrain minier ; Espèce introduite ; Espèce pionnière ; Fertilité sol ; Recrutement population ; Plante ligneuse ; New York ; Panicum virgatum ; Etats Unis ; Amérique du Nord ; Amérique ; Gramineae ; Monocotyledones ; Angiospermae ; Spermatophyta ; Plante fourragère ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Restauración vegetación ; Mina ; Hierro ; Terreno minero ; Especie introducida ; Especie precursora ; Fertilidad suelo ; Reclutamiento poblaciónal ; Planta leñosa ; Nueva York ; Panicum virgatum ; Estados Unidos ; America del norte ; America ; Gramineae ; Monocotyledones ; Angiospermae ; Spermatophyta ; Planta forrajera ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 26031, 35400005158051.0070