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APPENDIX 2.05.4(2)(d) -3 <br />THE EFFECTS OF SOIL DEPTH AND OTHER SOIL <br />CHARACTERISTICS ON PLANT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN <br />NORTH DAKOTA <br />A.F. Wick S.D. Merrill, T.J. Toy, J. Hendrickson and M.A. Liebig <br />Abstract: Revegetation of mined lands in North Dakota is challenging because <br />of the poor physiochemical properties of the spoil material as well as the semi- <br />arid climate. Topsoil and subsoil replacement is a successful method used to <br />establish productive and diverse plant communities. Previous studies conducted <br />by Merrill et al. (1998) and Power et al. (1981) determined adequate soil depth for <br />optimal vegetation productivity during six years of study on soil wedges in Zap <br />and Stanton, ND. Re- sampling of these sites in 2003 documented long -term <br />effects of soil depth and other soil characteristics on plant community <br />development. Results of the 2003 study differed from results of past studies. At <br />the Zap, ND Double Soil Wedge (ZSW) in 2003, the highest vegetation <br />production occurred on 40 to 120 cm of total soil depth and the highest species <br />diversity occurred on the alfalfa (Medicago sativa) vegetation plots with 0 to 40 <br />cm of total soil depth. In the previous study, the highest production occurred on <br />51 to 110 cm of total soil depth. At the Stanton, ND Soil Wedge (SSW) in 2003, <br />the highest production occurred on 65 to 120 cm of total soil depth. In the <br />previous study, the highest production occurred on 92 to 132 cm of total soil <br />depth. Changes through time in soil characteristics at the ZSW and SSW sites <br />were similar. Electrical conductivity (EC) was lower in 2003 compared to 1979 <br />and increased with depth in 2003. pH was higher in 2003 compared to 1979 and <br />also increased with depth in 2003. There was a weak correlation between total <br />soil depth and plant community development after 30 years of establishment <br />compared to a strong correlation observed after six years of vegetation <br />establishment in the previous studies. <br />Additional Key Words: soil wedge, production, cover, diversity, electrical <br />conductivity, pH, North Dakota <br />'Paper was presented at the 2005 National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and <br />Reclamation, Breckenridge, CO, June 19 -23, 2005. Published by ASMR, 3134 Montavesta <br />Rd., Lexington, KY 40502. email: watzlaf @netl.doe.gov <br />2 Abbey F. Wick, former graduate student, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208 e -mail: <br />aabley @du.edu. Stephen D. Merrill, Soil Scientist, USDA- ARS- NGPRL, Mandan, ND <br />58554 e -mail: merrills @mandan.ars.usda.gov Terrence J. Toy, Professor of Geomorphology, <br />Department of Geography, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208 e -mail: <br />terry.toy @nsm.du.edu John Hendrickson, Rangeland Scientist, USDA- ARS- NGPRL, <br />Mandan, ND 58554 e -mail: hendricj @mandan.ars.usda.gov Mark A. Liebig, Soil Scientist, <br />USDA- ARS- NGPRL, Mandan, ND 58554 e -mail: liebigm @mandan.ars.usda.gov <br />1233 <br />