Abstract: In the Yukon, the goal of most reclamation programs is to return disturbed lands as close to their original wildlands state as is feasible. The revegetation process, an integral component of reclamation, can be manipulated in ways to reflect this ultimate land use objective. The report reviews past Yukon reclamation practices and looks at how natural successional processes can be encouraged on lands disturbed by mining and mineral exploration practices.

By examining the factors that affect the successional patterns of revegetation on disturbed sites, and by noting the composition of plant communities that colonize these areas, the most appropriate pioneering shrub species can be selected for assisted revegetation programs. The species selected for revegetation must reflect each site's ecological variables, as well as the nature of the mining-related disturbances. The reclamation potential of Yukon native shrub species is discussed in this report, along with techniques for assisted revegetation, including the collection of plant materials and propagation methods.

The reclamation capabilities of 23 locally occurring shrub species is appended to this report. This information has been extracted primarily from vegetation experimentation in Alaska and northern Alberta. In order to determine whether these native shrubs are viable as species for reclamation work in the local environment, seeding and planting trials are recommended at Yukon mine and mineral exploration sites.

Authors: Lebarge Environmental Services

Map Scale: 1 : 0

Citation: Lebarge Environmental Services, 1999. Natural Vegetation Succession & Sustainable Reclamation at Yukon Mine and Mineral Exploration Sites. Mining & Petroleum Environment Research Group, 1999-2.

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