Pasture and hayland: Measures of reclamation success

Several characteristics of a reclaimed and two unmined grasslands used for tame pastureland in North Dakota were measured over the past eight years. Characteristics included productivity (vegetation and animal), ground cover and soil loss, species composition and numbers, and seasonality. Each characteristic is discussed as it relates to its value as a measure of reclamation success. In our view, vegetative productivity and ground cover provide an appropriate and adequate measure to document reclamation success for the postmine use of pasture and occasional hay production.