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An Experimental Assessment of Blight-Resistant American Chestnut Success on Reclaimed Mine Lands Across Central Appalachia

Bizzari, Lauren E.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1374230662

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Plant Biology (Arts and Sciences).
Reintroduction of blight-resistant chestnuts is on the horizon, but appropriate reintroduction sites need to be identified and field-tested. Concurrently, there is an increasing effort to restore reclaimed surface mined lands in the Appalachian Region to hardwood forest. American chestnut is a hardwood species of interest for these restoration projects as Appalachian mine lands could serve as reintroduction sites for blight-resistant chestnuts. The goal of this study was two-fold: 1) Field-test the similarity (in terms of growth, survival, and leaf properties) of blight-resistant hybrids to American chestnut. 2) Assess the growth, survival, and leaf properties of hybrid chestnuts on reclaimed mine lands across a wide geographic range, and examine mine land conditions (soil properties, light availability, competition with other vegetation, local climate) that may influence chestnut success. In 2008, parent species (American chestnut and Chinese chestnut), along with hybrid chestnut taxa, were planted as seeds on reclaimed mine lands in six Appalachian states. I revisited plantings in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee in 2012 to reassess chestnut growth and survival, as well as examine various site conditions. Across all sites, Chinese chestnuts had greater five-year survival (62.5%) than most hybrids (41.2% - 42.7%) and American chestnuts (41.4%), but growth did not significantly differ among all chestnut taxa. Conversely, site had a strong effect on chestnut growth. On average, chestnuts grown in Kentucky and Tennessee were 72 - 124 cm taller than chestnuts grown in Pennsylvania and Ohio after five growing seasons. Decreased growth in Pennsylvania and Ohio may be related to increased competition from other plants for light and water, and lower average minimum temperature of these sites in the northern part of the American chestnut range. From my results, American chestnut reintroduction on reclaimed mined lands seems promising in some areas, but control of competitive ground cover could improve success of future plantings. In addition, plant reintroduction material should be matched to not only edaphic site conditions, but also local climate. Continued monitoring of this and similar studies will shed light on the long-term potential for restoration of the American chestnut and Eastern Deciduous Forest communities on reclaimed mine lands in Appalachia.
Brian C. McCarthy (Advisor)
Jared L. DeForest (Committee Member)
David M. Rosenthal (Committee Member)
66 p.
Ecology; Plant Biology
American chestnut; Castanea dentata; mine land reclamation; restoration ecology; plant reintroduction; mensurative experiment

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bizzari, L. E. (2013). An Experimental Assessment of Blight-Resistant American Chestnut Success on Reclaimed Mine Lands Across Central Appalachia [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1374230662

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bizzari, Lauren. An Experimental Assessment of Blight-Resistant American Chestnut Success on Reclaimed Mine Lands Across Central Appalachia. 2013. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1374230662.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bizzari, Lauren. "An Experimental Assessment of Blight-Resistant American Chestnut Success on Reclaimed Mine Lands Across Central Appalachia." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1374230662

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.