Knight Mine reclamation: A study of revegetation difficulties in a semi-arid environment

ABSTRACT

An analysis of the difficulties associated with the re-establishment of reclamation vegetation on a dry mine site in southern Utah, U.S.A. is presented. Precipitation amounts, seed mix, seed bed preparation techniques, and soil properties all appeared to be adequate for vegetation establishment at the site. However, failure of repeated revegetation efforts in a redisturbed area of the mine site may have been due to higher soil salinity levels in the area, which may Have given Kochia scoparia an initial competitive advantage. Lack of soil moisture and allelopalhic effects due to the dense carpet of Kochia may have also contributed to the continued lack of revegetation success.