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The Role of Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass) in the Revegetation of Iron‐Mine Tailings in Northern New York
Author(s) -
Choi Young D.,
Wali Mohan K.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
restoration ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1526-100X
pISSN - 1061-2971
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-100x.1995.tb00085.x
Subject(s) - panicum virgatum , revegetation , agronomy , tailings , panicum , biology , ecological succession , botany , environmental science , ecology , chemistry , bioenergy , renewable energy
We investigated the role of artificially introduced Panicum virgatum (switch grass) on the sequential natural revegetation of 15‐ and 35‐year‐old tailings in the Adirondack region of northern New York. Switch grass covered approximately 48% of the 15‐year‐old Chaumont Tailings. Establishment of switch‐grass stands improved the fertility of the site by adding organic matter, raising pH, and elevating cation exchange capacity and concentrations of major nutrients (N, P, and K). Switch‐grass stands also aided the initial recruitment of such pioneer species as Populus spp. (aspens), Salix spp. (willows), and Betula spp. (birches). This facilitation of recruitment of woody species is explained as follows: (1) robust switch‐grass stands physically captured the wind‐disseminated seeds of these species; (2) switch grass acted as a “nurse crop” for these species, thus these species were able to increase their density vigorously through root or stem sprouting; (3) a combination of both. Switch grass decreased its cover (14%), however, as observed in the 35‐year‐old South Tailings. As switch grass declined, such vigorous “root‐suckering” species as aspens increased in dominance, followed by the invasion of Prunus pensylvanica (pin cherry).