Biological and Economic Hurdles to Private Forest Ownership of Reclaimed Strip Mines

摘要

Most mine lands after reclaimed just "hold the world together". While a cover crop of mostly exotic plants provides some wildlife habitat, little of value can be grown to produce wood products. Most ownerships do not seek reclaimed mine lands but purchase or hold them for the value in adjacent lands. Besides hunting leases, these lands do not generally pay their way in acceptable economic returns. If commercial forestry, especially high value timber species, can be grown on these lands, they become more valuable. Mined lands can become important sources of fiber during wet times of the year because of existing all weather access and the characteristics of the soil that allow harvesting during these times. Carbon credits may make these lands very valuable. To create economically viable land, soils; sites; silviculture; regulations; and finances must all must be understood to create a management system.