Bay swamp reclamation techniques - Florida phosphate mines

摘要

Bay swamps are found throughout Florida. However, agencies are reluctant to approve impacts until wetland reclamation and creation techniques have substantiated that these forested wetland systems can be recreated. Agency concerns seem to be centered around the time lag between impact and successful reclamation of a functioning forested bay swamp system including a mature vegetative structure, adequate hydrology and wildlife habitat. IMC-Agrico has completed construction of several bay swamp reclamation projects on its central Florida reclaimed lands. These projects have utilized a variety of techniques, including the planting of bay trees and other hardwoods in designed wetlands constructed on sand tailings or overburden cap, or planting with a mulched muck layer on sand tailings or overburden cap. A third technique includes bay tree stump and tree transfer with supplemental bay tree plantings in a designed wetland constructed with a mulched muck layer on sand tailings. Site preparation and material utilized in these projects has been observed to be as important as manipulation of hydrology during the establishment phase and proper prediction of the post reclamation hydrology. Preliminary monitoring results suggest that these systems can be reclaimed. Continued research will evaluate the efficacy of the techniques utilized, and perhaps suggest additional techniques to be used in the future.