Mount St. Helens Ash and Mud: Chemical Properties and Effects on Germination and Establishment of Trees and Wildlife Browse Plants

摘要

Chemical properties of ash and mud from the volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens and their effect on germination and seedling production of selected plants were studied. The volcanic materials were low in some important nutrients and cation exchange capacity, and they adversely affected seedling production. Catsear, a preferred wildlife browse, and lodgepole pine appear promising for revegetation of some of the areas affected by the volcano; but frequent application of fertilizer will also be required.