Effects of coal dust on plant growth and species composition in an arid environment

Prevailing south-west winds have deposited a plume of coal dust on the soil and vegetation next to a coal storage area at a power generation plant in Oregon. Few differences in the frequency and percent cover of vascular plants, or in biomass of perennials were found, but the biomass of annuals was significantly higher on the coal dust plume. Phenological differences among the vascular plants are possibly due to differences in soil temperature on and off the plume early in the growing season. Lichen frequency and percent cover was much higher off the plume. Different combinations of moss species occurred on and off the plume, but percent cover and frequency were similar in both locations.