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Your search for ETD Program Land Rehabilitation resulted in 22 match(es).

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Evaluation of Native Grass Sod for Stabilization of Steep Slopes: Author: Stone, Kenley Michelle; Date: 2005-05-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the ability of native grass sod to establish on several different steep slope environments. Specific objectives were to (i) measure plant growth characteristics on slopes with native grass sod treatments compared to other plant establishment methods, (ii) compare runoff, sediment yield, and infiltration rates on slopes with native grass sod to other plant establishment methods for a peak 10 year 24 hour storm event, (iii) model sediment yield on native grass sodded slopes compared to other plant establishment methods using RUSLE version 2.0, an...; Download File | View full details

Modeling Soil Water Content for Precision Range Management: Author: Sankey, Joel Brown; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: I developed site-specific empirical models to predict spring soil water content for two Montana ranches. The models used publicly available Landsat TM 5, USGS DEM, and soil survey-derived data as predictor variables. The goal of the project was to test whether ranchers could collect a limited size soil water content data set, build sitespecific regression models based on the data set, and construct soil water content maps based on the models. The response variable for models consisted of 100 and 82 average soil profile mass water content samples for each ranch, respectively. Half the samples w...; Download File | View full details

Recreation Impacts on High Elevation Soils: A Comparison of Disturbed, Undisturbed and Restored Sites: Author: Eckenrod, Brian John; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Mountainous regions comprise more than 30% of the world's terrestrial biomes and are valued for livestock forage, mineral and timber assets and recreation opportunities. Disturbance has resulted in major ecological changes in high elevation ecosystems, including vegetation loss, soil compaction, and reduced soil organic matter (SOM). Restoring high elevation disturbed sites has proven challenging for many years, possibly because of our limited knowledge of disturbance effects on belowground biota, and the ecosystem functions they facilitate. This research compares soil physiochemical and biolo...; Download File | View full details

Response of Grass Species to Soil Salt Content and Coversoil Depth on Lands Developed for Coalbed Methane: Author: Mitchem, Melissa Deanne; Date: 2005-08-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: In areas where Land is disturbed to extract energy resources such as coalbed methane, improper soil management may result in soils impaired by elevated salinity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the emergence and growth of three native grass species (Pseudorogeneria spicata, Hesperostipa comata, and Pascopyrum smithii) as a function of i) soil salt content and matric potential, and ii) coversoil depth overlying a saline substrate. The first study consisted of nine treatments, combining three soil salinity levels (0.80, 5.0 and 11.0 dS/m) and three matric potential ranges (-0.1 to ...; Download File | View full details

Restoration of Spotted Knapweed Infested GrassLands in Glacier National Park: Author: Stringer, Lewis Tipton; Date: 2003-12-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: There is an immediate and on-going need in Glacier National Park (GNP), and other public and private Lands, to determine effective methods to re-establish and sustain native plant populations following control treatments of Centaurea maculosa. My research was developed in response to GNP concerns regarding annual herbicide treatment of C. maculosa invaded sites. The aim of this study was to determine if herbicide applications, site preparation and revegetation methods would increase the density and percent cover of native species, while reducing spotted knapweed at two sites in and near Glacie...; Download File | View full details

Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation and Establishment of Six Montana Native Legumes Species: Author: Metcalf, Sarah Jean; Date: 2005-08-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Legume species have been known to increase soil N content and are incorporated into Land restoration seed mixes in hopes of improving degraded soils and plant communities. The goals of this project were to determine effects of soil type, soil moisture, inocula and fungicide treatments on legume establishment, N₂ fixation capacity and plant biomass for six individual native legume species. In potted greenhouse studies, legumes were grown in five field soils to verify nodulation without inocula. In a second phase, plant biomass was measured in two soils at two moisture contents (60 and 8...; Download File | View full details

Willow Resilience on Yellowstone's Northern Elk Range: A Function of Environmental Gradients: Author: Cary, Karri Lee; Date: 2005-05-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Willow, a deciduous, woody shrub, is a characteristic and often dominant riparian species (Amlin and Rood 2002) that has been unable to successfully regenerate throughout much of its western range, and Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is no exception (Singer et al. 1994, NRC 2002a). The primary objective of this study was to understand growth and maintenance of established willow stands as a community and as individual species following winter browse. These were based on the premises that (1) different levels of herbivory produce varying levels of compensatory growth (Brookshire et al. 2002), (...; Download File | View full details

Reclamation Effectiveness at Three Reclaimed Abandoned Mine Sites in Jefferson County, Montana: Author: Tafi, Tara Christine; Date: 2006-08-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Montana has an estimated 6000 abandoned mine sites, many with associated waste rock and tailings materials contributing to the release of high levels of acidity, heavy metals, and other contaminants, creating a risk to human health and the environment. Many abandoned mine sites in Montana have been reclaimed, however, little post-reclamation monitoring has been performed, and the effectiveness of reclamation has not been quantified. The goal of this project was to quantify the effectiveness of reclamation at three sites in Jefferson County, Montana based on soil suitability for sustaining plan...; Download File | View full details

Nitrous Oxide Emissions from a Northern Great Plains Soil as Influenced by Nitrogen Fertilization and Cropping Systems: Author: Dusenbury, Matthew Paul; Date: 2006-08-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Agriculture has been identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as the major anthropogenic source of N₂O emissions. Field measurements of N₂O emissions are limited for cropping systems in the semi-arid Northern Great Plains (NGP). The study objectives were to determine temporal N₂O emission patterns for NGP cropping systems, and estimate fertilizer N induced emissions (FIE) and contrast with IPCC default methodology. No-till (NT) wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)-fallow, wheat-wheat, and wheat-pea (Pisum sativum L.), and a conventional till (CT) wheat...; Download File | View full details

Biogeochemical Gradients and Energetics in Geothermal Systems of Yellowstone National Park: Author: Ackerman, Galena Gene; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: The fate and behavior of redox-active chemical species in geothermal systems is linked with the metabolic processes of chemotrophic thermophilic microorganisms. The major goal of the current work was to perform a thorough geochemical analysis of redox active species in geothermal outflow channels, and utilize these measurements to quantify the Gibbs free energy (Grxn) values for numerous oxidation-reduction reactions that represent potential chemolithotrophic metabolisms. Insights gained from energetic analyses can be used to structure hypotheses regarding novel microbial metabolisms and to gu...; Download File | View full details

Microbial and Geochemical Processes Controlling the Oxidation and Reduction of Arsenic in Soils: Author: Masur, Deanne Christine; Date: 2007-05-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Arsenic (As) is a common contaminant in soil-water systems, where it exists predominately as arsenate (AsV) or arsenite (AsIII), the latter of which is considered to be the more mobile and toxic form. The amount of arsenite or arsenate in natural water systems is influenced by geochemical conditions and the presence of As transforming microorganisms. Consequently, the goals of this study were to evaluate the effects of: (i) arsenic concentration on microbial populations responsible for As oxidation-reduction in a previously uncontaminated soil, and (ii) phosphate:arsenic ratio on the oxidation...; Download File | View full details

Relationships Among Geochemical Processes and Microbial Community Structure in a Unique High-Arsenic, Sulfidic Geothermal Spring in Yellowstone National Park: Author: Taylor Jr., William; Date: 2007-08-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: The metabolisms of chemotrophic microorganisms are linked with the geochemical transformation of redox-active chemical species and mineral precipitation-dissolution reactions in geothermal environments. The objectives of the current work were to correlate the spatial distribution of microbial populations with changes in aqueous geochemistry and mineralogy in a unique Yellowstone National Park (YNP) geothermal spring, and to cultivate thermophilic microorganisms with phylogenetic and metabolic relevance to spring conditions. The geothermal spring (hereafter referenced as Joseph's Coat Spring -J...; Download File | View full details

Watershed restoration limitations at the abandoned reclaimed Alta Mine, Jefferson County, MT: Author: Labbe, Richard James; Date: 2008-05-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Abandoned hardrock metal mines can have an antagonistic effect on soil productivity, vegetation, and water quality. Specifically, abandoned mines that actively generate acidity in soil are phytotoxic due to low pH and increased bioavailability of heavy metals. Arsenic concentrations in mine soils are often elevated, but may not be as mobile as heavy metals at low pH. Acid mine drainage migration from abandoned mines is problematic because it leads to water quality impairments that limit water use for certain activities (i.e. stock watering and irrigation). In this work, a previously reclaimed ...; Download File | View full details

Reclamation potential of experimental oak mat and conventional natural gas drill pad construction techniques in a sagebrush steppe community: Author: McWilliams, Colin Shamus; Date: 2008-05-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Conventional cut-and-fill drill pad construction associated with natural gas production displaces existing plant communities and results in surface disturbances requiring extensive soil remediation and revegetation. At the Jonah natural gas field, Wyoming, use of an oak mat drilling platform placed atop the intact Landscape was evaluated to facilitate drilling while minimizing disturbances to soil and plant resources. Concerns inherent to both techniques include adverse, long-term impacts to vegetation communities, soil compaction and soil physical and chemical characteristics. The percent cha...; Download File | View full details

Distribution, characterization, and dietary risk assessment of indigenous salts in Mongolia's Darhad Valley: Author: Barber, Loren Mickelle; Date: 2008-08-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Natural salt deposits around the world are used as human and livestock dietary mineral sources. The nomadic herders of the Darhad Valley, in northern Mongolia, harvest the precipitate that forms around saline lakes throughout their valley. The precipitate is termed hujir, and the main harvest location is Tukh. Darhad people are concerned about the declining amount of a hujir in the Tukh precipitate area and are curious about possible health effects related to hujir consumption. These studies focus on formulating the best management practices for sustainable hujir harvest by evaluating factors ...; Download File | View full details

Satellite monitoring of cropLand-related carbon sequestration practices in North Central Montana: Author: Watts, Jennifer Dawn; Date: 2008-12-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: This study used an object-oriented approach in conjunction with the Random Forest algorithm to classify agricultural practices set forth in carbon contract agreements associated with the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), including tillage (till or no-till (NT)), conservation reserve (CR), and crop intensity. The object-oriented approach allowed for per-field classifications and the incorporation of contextual elements in addition to spectral features. Random Forest is an advanced classification method that avoids data over-fitting and incorporates an internal classification accuracy assessment. ...; Download File | View full details

Soil and plant response to slash pile burning in a ponderosa pine forest: Author: Meyer, Natalie Jo; Date: 2008-12-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Slash pile burning is the most common method of forest residue disposal following ponderosa pine restoration harvests, which are intended to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire and restore the historical structure and function of forests in western Montana. The impact of high-intensity, long-duration fire (pile burning) on soil processes and plant community dynamics is not well understood. The objectives of this study were: (1) to characterize the influence of slash pile burning on soil nutrient availability, soil microbial activity, and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) infection; (2) to compare s...; Download File | View full details

Vegetative reproduction and the integrated management of Canada thistle: Author: Sciegienka, Joanna Katarzyna; Date: 2009-05-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) is an aggressive, introduced creeping perennial weed that flourishes in a wide variety of environments. Its deep, creeping root system and colony forming tendencies make it one of the most difficult weeds to control. A strategy that incorporates a better understanding of the biology of Canada thistle into the development of an integrated management plan that includes herbicides and biological control could help reduce the dispersal and impact of this species. The objectives of this work were to: 1) determine how Canada thistle emergence and growth ar...; Download File | View full details

The establishment, drought tolerance, and weed suppression potential of multispecies sod: Author: Stark, Jennifer Grace; Date: 2009-05-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Re-seeding is a frequently used technique to revegetate disturbed areas, but often leaves bare ground prone to weed invasion. Mixtures of drought tolerant or native species in sod could be used as an alternative to seed to provide rapid establishment of desirable plant communities that may potentially reduce weed emergence, survival, and productivity. Additionally, the reinforcement material required to aid transport of multispecies sod could further contribute to weed suppression and sod establishment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the weed suppression and establishment potentia...; Download File | View full details

Selecting plant species to optimize wastewater treatment in constructed wetLands: Author: Taylor, Carrie Renee; Date: 2009-05-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Constructed wetLands are used around the world for treating domestic, agricultural, and industrial wastewater, stormwater runoff, and acid mine drainage. Plants may affect efficacy of wastewater treatment through their influence on microbial activity by creating attachment sites and releasing carbon exudates and oxygen. My research investigated seasonal plant effects on wastewater treatment by monitoring water chemistry in model subsurface wetLands planted with monocultures of 19 plant species and unplanted controls. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, an indicator of water quality, declined...; Download File | View full details

Subalpine WetLands: characterization, environmental drivers, and response to human peturbation and restoration: Author: Heikes-Knapton, Sunni Marie; Date: 2009-05-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: The subalpine region throughout the western US is increasingly pressured by Land use changes. Consequences of these changes often involve major alteration to the original function of the Landscape, particularly concerning wetLand and riparian areas. In southwest Montana, large developments have recently been created or expanded in the subalpine environment. WetLands in these regions bear a particularly unique structure, and often are influenced by the effects of development. The alteration to structure can result in disturbance to the original hydrological, ecological, and biogeochemical funct...; Download File | View full details

Emergence and growth of seven grass species across a gradient of metals and arsenic in lime-amended contaminated soils: Author: Martin, Tara Noel; Date: 2009-08-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: Montana's Upper Clark Fork River Basin contains hundreds of square kilometers of Land impacted by mine wastes and/or smelter emissions from decades of copper mining and related activities. Contaminated soils in the Basin are often acidic and highly enriched with the trace elements cadmium, copper, arsenic, lead, zinc, and others. Natural plant colonization is often impaired, as evidenced by barren areas that are so phytotoxic that normal germination and establishment cannot occur. One reclamation strategy being used is in-place treatment with soil amendments including lime and other products. ...; Download File | View full details

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