that wetlands of surface-mined lands were significant contributors in compensating 

 for the loss of natural wetlands. 



Comparison of habitats before and after mining-' reflected greater mammal and 

 bird diversity on unmined lands in contrast to larger numbers of a few species on 

 reclaimed lands. In addition, ungraded, natural-vegetated mined lands yielded 

 greater diversity than graded revegetated (grass) acreages. The mined area wetlands 

 provided important habitats for shorebirds, waterfowl, and several aquatic-related 

 mammals. The extensive grass-covered reclaimed areas had significant numbers of 

 birds of prey because of the increased populations of Microius. Such data clearly 

 identify the significant contributions of surface-mined lands to wildlife and their 

 habitats which are in short supply, especially in areas impacted by monoagricultural 

 practices. 



An example of the emphasis on species in wildlife management has been demon- 

 strated at the White Pine Copper Mine in Michigan. Borrow pits have created 

 habitat for nesting populations of surface-feeding ducks. Grading and planting have 

 created forage areas which have attracted thousands of geese during fall migration. 

 Basins are utilized by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and are potential 

 habitat for sharptailed grouse (Pediocetes phasianellus). Sandusky^" has recorded 

 very positive responses by waterfowl to nesting habitats provided by land and water 

 reclamation in southern Illinois. 



The Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University, has 

 used vegetation (especially Phragmites) to control levee erosion in slurry areas and 

 created wildlife habitat as a by-product." Data suggestingthe importance of natural 

 revegetation of gob and slurry sites as wildlife habitat are also being collected. Also, 

 the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory (unpubl. data) has documented the 

 successful establishment of a breeding population of Giant Canada Geese (Branta 

 canadensis maxima) on surface-mined areas in west-central Illinois (Figure 3). 

 Waters with island-type habitats were especially productive. Nesting success of this 

 population exceeded that generally recorded for any race of Canada geese. Other 

 studies by the Laboratory (unpubl. data. Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory) 



Figure 3. A member of the giant Canadian goose population which was reintroduced 

 to the wetlands of Fulton County, Illinois, through surface mining reclama- 

 tion in an intensively farmed prime agricultural area. 



188 



