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c III IIIIIIIII IIII III <br />999 <br />~~ <br />1 <br />~; f, c- ~-~ ~~ ~J,r. <br />.~,:.,~r <br />J <br />.~~~~ 31 1994 <br />BIOGEOCl-IQ~IICAL LIMITATIONS ON WESTERN RECLAh1ATION <br />. ... .- ..... vaolo9Y <br />The High Northern Great Plains Example <br />KEY WORD6 <br />Reclamation, arid-lands, biogeochemistry, soil, plant ecology, <br />climate, climatic-history, precipitation, Wyoming, Dbntana <br />ABSTRACT <br />Soil structure and function is seen as a bio~emical limit to reclamation <br />success in much of the arid west. To assess probabilities of success, one <br />must understand th easonal dynamics of soil moisture, nutrient mobility, <br />illuvial and mineral weathering processes, soil gas exchange, and soil/ <br />plant interactions. These should be considered for times of climatic ex- <br />r~m~that can be reasonably expected for a site under consideration. <br />Additionally, one should evaluate the suitability of reconstructed soils and <br />re-established plant communities in terms of biogeochemical and genetic ad- <br />aptation to the range of biotic stresses such as climate, fire, grazing <br />pressure, and disease that can be expected for a site. Sound reclamation <br />practice should strive toward re-establishment of plant communities that will <br />work together with progressive soil development to lead to a predictable <br />