Chapter 11: Reforestation to enhance Appalachian mined lands as habitat for terrestrial wildlife

Abstract

Surface mining is widespread throughout the Appalachian coalfields, a region with extensive forests that are rich in wildlife. Game species for hunting, nongame wildlife species, and other organisms are important contributors to sustainable and productive ecosystems. Although small breaks in the forest canopy are important to wildlife diversity, most native Appalachian wildlife species require primarily forested habitats (Wickham and others 2013). This Forest Reclamation Advisory provides guidance on reforestation practices to provide high-quality habitat for native forest wildlife on Appalachian coal mines.

Parent Publication

• The Forestry Reclamation Approach: guide to successful reforestation of mined lands

Citation

Wood, Petra; Larkin, Jeff; Mizel, Jeremy; Zipper, Carl; Angel, Patrick. 2017. Chapter 11: Reforestation to enhance Appalachian mined lands as habitat for terrestrial wildlife. In: Adams, Mary Beth, ed. The Forestry Reclamation Approach: guide to successful reforestation of mined lands. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-169. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 11-1 – 11-12.