Establishment of Moose Browse on Four Growth Media on a Proposed Mine Site in Southcentral Alaska

The objective of this study was to evaluate seven woody plant species on four growth media for their potential contribution to moose habitat and establishment of viable plant communities on a proposed mine site in southcentral Alaska. Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar), Salix alaxensis (feltleaf willow), S. barclayi (Barclay willow), S. bebbiana (Bebb willow), Alnus tenuifolia (thinleaf alder), Betula papyrifera (paper birch), and Picea glauca (white spruce) were selected for their functions in moose habitat, ease of propagation, and presence in the existing native vegetation. Three native soils were selected for biological characteristics such as different potential to form mycorrhizae and to regenerate local plant species, both of which are governed partly by existing vegetation. The fourth growth medium, glacial till or overburden, was expected to have little or no biological activity. A mining disturbance was simulated on three sites by removing existing vegetation from the plots, stripping the native soils, and then spreading these soil materials over the respective study plots. Rooted cuttings of the Salicaceae and nursery seedlings of the other species were planted in each of the four growth media. Height and survival of all plant species were greater on the three soil media than on the glacial till during the second and third years. Percentage of ectomycorrhizal infection on transplants was similar among growth media, although lower ectomycorrhizal infection occurred on volunteers in grassland soils than in the other growth media. Browsable plants were produced within three years on the disturbed native soils but not on the glacial till.