Restoring Ecosystem Services On Surface Mines in Appalachia.

The Appalachian region is a land of contrast—people have suffered from poverty for decades, but the region abounds with natural resources. Appalachian forests support some of the greatest biological diversity in the world’s temperate region, but extraction of the region’s abundant coal reserves has impacted the landscape. Since 1977, over 600,00 ha of Appalachian forest have been affected by surface mining, producing significant economic, environmental, and ecological challenges. Successful reestablishment of the hardwood forest ecosystem that once dominated these sites will provide a renewable, sustainable multi-use resource that will create economic opportunities while enhancing the local and global environment. The University of Kentucky and its partners have undertaken an extensive project to restore forests on surface-mined lands. Research and outreach with all stakeholders was instrumental in advancing knowledge and demonstrating techniques to restore productive forests and ecosystem services on surface-mined lands. Cooperation, consultation, and effective communication between parties have resulted in widespread application of the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA), and a “reforestation renaissance” is being observed across the Appalachian coal fields.