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Ecological function of constructed perennial stream channels on reclaimed surface coal mines

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Abstract

Mountaintop removal–valley fill mining results in the conversion of steep, forested headwater catchments to low gradient and open canopy channels. We compared the ecological functions of five reference stream channels to five constructed channels (age ranging from 3 to 20 years) on reclaimed mines in southern West Virginia. Variables included stream flow, habitat, water chemistry, riparian vegetation, organic matter (OM) processing, and invertebrate and amphibian communities. Although dissolved metal concentrations remained low, constructed channels produced significantly higher levels of conductivity and total dissolved solids as compared to reference streams. Macroinvertebrate and amphibian richness were comparable between constructed and reference channels; however, there was a distinct shift from sensitive lotic taxa in reference channels to tolerant lentic taxa in constructed channels. Constructed channels also had reduced OM decomposition rates. Nevertheless, constructed channels had significantly higher OM retention than reference channels, and consequently exhibited significantly higher overall OM processing and higher dissolved carbon concentrations. As the time since reclamation increased, we observed slight declines in conductivity and significant increases in total invertebrate richness. Our results provide measures of functional equivalencies between reference and constructed streams, which can serve as a basis for informed permitting and mitigation decisions in mined watersheds.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Gabriel Strain for his assistance with amphibian sampling and identification, as well as George Merovich and Eric Merriam for their assistance with R programming. We are also grateful to Gina Bays, Mitch Kalos, Alex Neal, Kenny Daniel, John McHale, and Randy Maggard for their assistance with this project. This paper was prepared with the support of a grant from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining to JTP, PFZ, and JTA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    J. Todd Petty, Gretchen Gingerich & James T. Anderson

  2. West Virginia Water Research Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    Paul F. Ziemkiewicz

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  1. J. Todd Petty
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  2. Gretchen Gingerich
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  3. James T. Anderson
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  4. Paul F. Ziemkiewicz
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Correspondence to J. Todd Petty.

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Handling editor: David J. Hoeinghaus

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Petty, J.T., Gingerich, G., Anderson, J.T. et al. Ecological function of constructed perennial stream channels on reclaimed surface coal mines. Hydrobiologia 720, 39–53 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1619-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1619-1

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