Biomass and Forage Production from Reclaimed Stripmined Land and Adjoining Native Range in Central Wyoming

Abstract

Aboveground biomass and forage production from native range and adjacent reclaimed stripmined land were measured in 1977. On 2 of the 4 native range transects the aboveground biomass was greater than on reclaimed areas, largely due to big sagebrush and mat-forming species. Forage production, defined as the vegetation consumed by domestic grazing animals on properly grazed range, was equal to or greater on the reclaimed land than on adjoining native range.