James M. Ringe

Economics of sawmill residues in the establishment of black locust biomass plantations on surface mines

ABSTRACT Although the short term benefits of bark mulch to tree survival and growth on surface mines are well documented, its long term effects and economic performance are not as well established. A study to compare the biomass production of black locust trees grown with bark mulch and fertilizer to that of trees grown with fertilizer alone indicated that bark mulch significantly improved biomass production. These results, however, were not apparent until after seven years. Although the use of bark mulch involved higher plantation establishment costs, an economic analysis indicated that these costs were more than offset by the added biomass produced.

The economics of mycorrhizal inoculations and wood-based mulches in the reforestation of surface mines

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to examine the combined biological and economic aspects of the use of mycorrhizal inoculation, hardwood bark mulch, and wood fiber mulch made from recycled paper in the establishment of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings on surface mines. All mulches were applied in conjunction with clover, and one-half of each milch treatment was fertilized. Over all treatments, mycorrhizal inoculation had no significant effect on survival and growth, although biological and economic benefits were observed in three specific instances. Unfertilized bark and clover was the most beneficial mulch treatment after nine growing seasons. Use of fertilizer with bark and clover should be avoided as a heavy ground cover is produced that is detrimental to tree seedlings. With wood fiber, however, applications of fertilizer enhanced tree performance as well as economic efficiency.

Economic aspects of broadcast fertilizer use for tree seedling establishment on surface mines

Abstract While the biological effects of fertilizer on tree seelings grown on surface mines have been examined to some extent, the economic performance of this soil amendment is less well established. A study was undertaken to analyze, over four growing seasons, the economic factors involved in using diammonium phosphate (18-46-0) to enhance tree seedling survival and height growth. Virginia pine and European alder seedlings were grown under 2.5 cm of hardwood bark mulch and three fertilization rates. For both species, there is no incentive to apply fertilizer to improve survival. Applications of fertilizer either decreased survival or improved it slightly at a disproportionately higher cost. If height growth is the parameter of primary interest, however, fertilization can provide economically efficient benefits. Significant improvements In Virginia pine height growth were observed for the 560 kg/ha treatment which, by the fourth growing season, was the most economically attractive alternative. Although n...

An economic evaluation of soil bioengineering as a method for slope stability on abandoned mine land in Eastern Kentucky

ABSTRACT Unstable slopes are a serious problem on abandoned mine land (AML) in Kentucky and a number of other states. Current practices used to manage unstable slopes rely on modern conventional techniques that incorporate rock, concrete, or steel structural components. Implementation of these techniques has proven expensive due to recurring maintenance requirements. This study examines soil bioengineering technology as a viable alternative. In this study, the cost effectiveness of two common slope stabilization systems— rock gabions and rock riprap—has been compared with the innovative soil bioengineering system. Baseline cost estimates applied to all three systems were consistent with commercial scales. Assuming a useful life of 20 years for both the gabion and riprap systems, sensitivity analysis using net present values (NPV) in response to changes in both installation costs (I) and useful life (N) was conducted on both systems. Data was calculated over a range of applicable interest rates. The result...

Woody plant biodiversity on a revegetated abandoned coal wash sediment pond

ABSTRACT Woody plant biodiversity under five different treatments was determined on an abandoned coal wash sediment pond three and six years following reclamation. Species richness and equitability improved significantly between sampling periods for all treatments. No significant differences occurred or were identified in any biodiversity index among treatments when comparisons were made at a single sample date. However, there were significant differences in species equitability when treatments were compared over time

Revegetation of an abandoned coal washing site

ABSTRACT Various reclamation techniques were applied on an abandoned coal washing pond in western Kentucky. The entire site was treated with fertilizer and lime to add nutrients and neutralize the soil pH. Four main treatments and control plots were established. The treatments included bark; straw and manure; bark, sawdust and manure; and a mixture of sewer sludge and kiln dust.. Plots were also treated with a water absorbing synthetic polymer. All plots were seeded with various grasses, legumes, and black locust. The site was measured in 1992 after three growing seasons for woody plant biomass and percent ground cover. Significant differences in both woody plant biomass and percent ground cover were found between the treatments.

Economically Efficient Sampling of Surface-Mined Spoils

Three soil sampling techniques were tested on a surface mined reclamation study. Multiple systematic spoil samples were compared to random samples and a composite sample in terms of statistical reliability and cost effectiveness. Both random and composite sampling offer considerable cost savings over the systematic sampling. Random spoil sampling was twice as likely as composite spoil samples to characterize spoil differently than the systematic sample. Composite spoil samples are a cost effective and reliable technique for sampling surface-mined spoils.

Economics of biomass production on an abandoned coal washing settlement pond

Abstract Numerous surface mine reclamation studies have shown organic mulches to be beneficial for tree productivity. This study was established to determine if similar techniques would be as biologically successful and as economically efficient in the production of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) biomass on a highly acidic (pH 1.8) abandoned coal washing site. The study area was limed at a rate of 336.5 mtons/ha and fertilized with 336.25 kg/ha of 16-32-B. Organic mulches applied were hardwood bark, a mixture of bark, sawdust and manure, a mixture of sewage sludge and kiln dust, and a mixture of straw and manure. Tree performance was measured after three and six growing seasons. Economic efficiency was assessed using benefit-cost ratios. In all cases, biomass production under the control was statistically the same as or higher than that observed for any of the mulches. Benefit-cost ratios for biomass production under the control was always statistically greater than that for the mulches. In this c...

Economic considerations in the revegetation of an abandoned coal washing settlement pond

Abstract A study was established on an abandoned coal washing settlement pond to examine the biological effectiveness and economic efficiency of four organic soil amendments on the growth of herbaceous cover and the survival and growth of black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia L.) The site had a pH of 1.8 and was devoid of vegetation at the time of study establishment. Materials tested included hardwood bark, a mixture of bark, sawdust and manure, a mixture of composted sewage sludge and kiln dust, and a mixture of straw and manure. After six growing seasons, the mixture of bark, sawdust and manure and the mixture of sewage sludge and kiln dust produced the most herbaceous cover. All treatments were equally effective in promoting tree survival and growth except for the sewage sludge and kiln dust, which was significantly worse. In economic terms, however, the control, which was limed and fertilized, was the most cost effective in all cases. The soil amendments simply did not result in a biological response s...

Evaluating shredded rubber tires and sewer sludge as surface mine spoil amendments

ABSTRACT Shredded rubber tires and composted sewer sludge were evaluated and compared as spoil amendments on an abandoned mine site in western Kentucky. Percent ground cover was measured in early spring and early summer of the third year to determine treatment effects. Significant treatment effects did not appear until the summer measurement, and the combination of rubber tire mulch and incorporated sewer sludge was found to be the most effective in promoting site revegetation. There was a significant decline in percent live grass ground cover as the growing season progressed, indicating that early season measurements may not be adequate for estimating revegetation effectiveness.