Wildland Reclamation and Reforestation of Two Coal Strip Mines in Central Alberta

The productivity and capability of forested areas at TransAlta Utilities Corporation's Whitewood and Highvale mines have been quantified. This information has been used to evaluate the success with which mined areas supporting forest stands have been restored to their original capability . Spruce stands planted on mined land at Whitewood in 1959 have yields and densities far below that of undisturbed sites . The capability of these areas to support spruce forests is, however, comparable to undisturbed sites. The yield of naturally established deciduous stands on mined lands is similar to undisturbed sites , however the densities are far greater . This is a function of stand age and has little to do with the productive potential of the area . The capability of mined land to support deciduous stands at the Whitewood mine is equal to and even slightly
greater than undisturbed areas .