Abstract

Change Analysis of Reforestation on Surface Mines in West Virginia
Track: Environmental Management
Authors: Andrew Schaer

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection used historic aerial photography, Mobile GIS tools and modern remote sensing data to look at both large-scale and small-scale revegetation trends over a twenty-five year period at three large mountaintop removal mines in Boone, Mingo and Logan Counties of southern West Virginia. Large-scale surface mining has occurred in Boone, Logan and Mingo counties of West Virginia for the past thirty years. ArcGIS was used to examine historic and modern remote sensing data from 1985, 1996, 2003 and 2007 for this study area. This photography shows several trends in tree growth over this time period. In particular impact of the proper and improper use techniques of the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) are examined over this long time period.

Andrew Schaer
WVDEP
601 57th St. SE
Charleston, West Virginia 25304
United States
Phone: 304 926-0499
E-mail: nick.a.schaer@wv.gov