| Wetland creation following large-scale disturbance is difficult because sources of wetland vegetation may be scarce. In this study I transferred wetland topsoil from pre-mining areas to a water storage basin devoid of vegetation at the Genesee Mine in Alberta, Canada to study the feasibility of using wetland soil as a source of wetland plant propagules following surface mining. Comparison of vegetation parameters (species richness, vegetation cover, plant height) and plant community composition showed that the wetland soil treated plots resembled the donor wetlands more than nearby opportunistic wetlands. There were indications that water and soil quality in the water storage basin may have affected plant health and community composition. Using transferred wetland soil is a viable method to introduce wetland plant propagules in reclaimed areas, but the vegetation in opportunistic wetlands suggests that natural colonization can be a viable alternative at the Genesee Mine. |
