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material into the soil. The smaller invertebrates and worms continue the process by <br />degrading large organic materials to smaller pieces. Finally bacteria, fungi, and <br />actinomycetes complete the conversion of large organic molecules to carbon dioxide, <br />water, and nutrients. Substantial decreases in the number and composition of these <br />organisms have been shown to precede degradation of plant communities. When <br />topsoil has been direct hauled and reapplied populations of these organisms are <br />maintained or recover rapidly, whereas populations are significantly reduced with the <br />use of stockpiled topsoil (Klein et al., 1979; Munshower, 2000). Replaced stockpiled <br />topsoil can recover bacterial and fungal populations by wind -born inoculation and <br />grazing. Past research has also shown that the greatest concentrations of seeds and <br />vegetative plant propagules occur in the topsoil (Beauchamp et al., 1975; Iverson and <br />Wall, 1982). The enumeration of all of the chemical reactions in the soil is impossible <br />but, like the biological system, these reactions are concentrated in the topsoil and occur <br />to a much lesser extent in subsoil horizons (Munshower, 2000). Munshower (2000) says <br />of topsoil "the importance of this soil layer to the performance of vegetation cannot be <br />overstated." <br />Numerous researchers have clearly stated that the quality and quantity of topsoil <br />directly influences the germination, growth, production, reproduction, and diversity of <br />plants and plant communities (DePuit, 1984; Barth and Martin, 1982; Doll et al., 1984; <br />Halvorson et al., 1986; Kleinman and Richmond, 2000; Meikle et al., 2000; Oddie and <br />Bailey, 1988; Romig and Clark, 2000; Schuman et al., 1985; Schuman, Booth, and Olson, <br />2000; Schaldweiler et al., 2000). In surface coal mining, Office of Surface Mining's <br />(OSM) Preamble to Sub - Chapter K states: "In most areas, the A horizon of natural soil is <br />vastly superior to any underlying soil horizon or geologic strata. Even if it is only 3 or 4 <br />inches thick, careful handling and return of this horizon to the surface is required for <br />most successful reclamation. To mix the various soil horizons during removal could be <br />Appendix G 3 07/01/02 <br />