A study of tree species diversity at an un-mined and a reclaimed forest on Frostburg State University campus

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1 A study of tree species diversity at an un-mined and a reclaimed forest on Frostburg State University campus Diamond Alexander, Summyr Butts, Darius Daniels, Richard Jackson, Tammy Johns, Belmont Johnson, Faith McFadden, Gregory Parks, Mariah Phillips, Lucas Shafer, Chaz Ward and Lauren Whitley Biodiversity Group Final Presentation August 1, 2008

2 Biodiversity The variety of living things in the world Types of Biodiversity Species diversity Genetic diversity Ecological diversity

3 Benefits of Biodiversity Food Drugs/Medicine Ecological benefits Aesthetics Religious/Culture

4 Decreasing Biodiversity 1/3-2/3 of all species to be extinct by the middle of the 21 st century Habitat destruction is the number one cause

5 Species Diversity Species Richness (S)- the number of different species in a community Species Evenness (J )- the distribution of individuals in a community

6 Why both measures are needed Evenness often decreases before richness Example: Forest A and B would have the same richness, S = 3. Evenness in Forest A is greater than evenness in Forest B. Forest A Forest B Species Species Species

7 Coal Mining in Western Maryland Began in the 1800 s Two types: Underground mining Surface mining

8 Underground Mining Deep in the earth Impacts: Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Spoils that are brought to the surface

9 Surface Mining Topsoil and overburden are removed. Overburden- rocks and soil that lie over a coal seam Impacts: Habitat Spoils Erosion Landslides High walls

10 Reclamation When mining is complete the mining company must restore the land to its original state. Maryland laws began in Federal laws began in Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) a a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety and native to the area

11 Problems with Mine Spoils Topsoil removed Mine spoils used as fill Spoils Low organic matter Low, acidic ph Low nitrogen (N) Low phosphorus (P) Low potassium (K)

12 Plant Requirements ph- harmful if below 5.5, many plants do not grow Nitrogen- used for energy, growth and overall health Phosphorus- used for photosynthesis, respiration, growth and other functions Potassium-used used for photosynthesis, energy and other functions

13 Mining at Frostburg Campus was built on mines. A forest was planted on shale spoils. There are still active mines.

14 Purpose To examine the impacts of mining on tree species diversity

15 Hypotheses Hypothesis: There will be a difference in tree species diversity between the mined forest and un- mined forest. Null Hypothesis: There will not be a difference in tree species diversity between the mined forest and un- mined forest.

16 Methods

17 Study Sites July 22, 2008 Two sites FSU campus Un-mined site Mined site - Un-mined Site - Mined Site

18 Setting up the site Circle with a 14- m radius Center marker Measuring tape Flags 14 m 14 meter s

19 Identified and recorded the species Living trees 3 inch diameter breast height (dbh) Flagged trees Tree Identification

20 Soil Sampling Collected 2 samples from each site Soil corer Sampled A horizon Lab testing using the Rapitest soil test kit

21 Observations Other types of life in the area Aged the forest as even or uneven Noted dead trees and health of the forest

22 Data Analysis Shannon-Weiner Index Uses both species richness and species evenness Assigns a value for diversity Not dependant on sample size Compares sites

23 Shannon-Weiner Index Hs = - (Pi)(log Pi) Hs= diversity index value Pi = relative abundance found Pi=ni/N ni = individuals of a species N = total number of individuals

24 Maximum Diversity Hs max is the maximum possible diversity. Hs max = log (S)

25 Species Evenness (J ) J = = Hs/Hs max

26 Results

27 Tree Species at the Two Forested Sites black cherry sugar maple black gum white oak witch hazel red maple striped maple basswood cucumber tree black birch american ash ironwood redoak spicebush pitch pine red pine black locust aspen Tree Species Un mined Mined Number of Trees

28 Species Evenness Between the Sites Evenness (J') Mined Sites Un-mined

29 Shannon-Weiner Index Values for the Sites Shannon-Weiner Index Value Mined Sites Un-mined Hs Hs max

30 Soil Measurements ph N P K Mined Depleted Un-mined 6.0 Depleted Deficient- Depleted Depleted Surplus Surplus

31 Discussion & Conclusions

32 Hypotheses Revisited Hypothesis: There will be a difference in tree species diversity between the mined forest and un- mined forest. Null Hypothesis: There will not be a difference in tree species diversity between the mined forest and un- mined forest.

33 Hypothesis Accepted Un-mined site had a higher diversity. Un-mined site had a higher Shannon- Weiner Index Value (Hs). Un-mined site had a higher species richness (S). Un-mined site had a higher species evenness (J ).

34 Maximum diversity (Hs max) Neither site was at Hs max. Different reason at the two sites.

35 Mined Site Hs max Hs and Hs max were lower at the mined site. Only 5 tree species at the site 2 main species were planted. Red pine Pitch pine

36 Un-mined Site Hs max 2 main species were present. Sugar maple Witch hazel Were not planted It is natural for some species to be more numerous in a forest.

37 Diversity and Soil Relations Soil test results were similar, but we believe the sites are different. Visual observations Mined Site Dead trees/unhealthy trees Little vegetation Thin O Soil Horizon Un-mined Site Healthy trees Abundant vegetation Thick O Soil Horizon

38 Nitrogen and Phosphorus Low at both sites Un-mined site N and P added through decay Plants use it quickly Stay at low levels in the soil Mined site Not much N and P being added Plants use the limited amount Trees are unhealthy or dying

39 Limitations Site size was small (28 m diameter). Only sampled one site per forest Only sampled one forest of each type Soil testing method Season of sampling Time to conduct the study

40 Suggestions for Improvement Larger sites More sites in each forest More forest of each type More advanced soil testing kit Seasonal testing on soil

41 Unanswered Questions How can humans reclaim mines so they closely resemble the surrounding forest? Does the mined site s s tree species diversity and soil qualities meet the standards of the SMCRA? Will the trees in the mined site continue to die?

42 Acknowledgements

43 Questions