🚀 go-pugleaf

Dear ECOLOG Colleagues,

Several years ago, state legislation was passed to regulate hard rock
mines in New Mexico.  One of the points of hot debate was  how to define
a "self -sustaining ecosystem."  The present definition (rendered by
politicians and policy experts) reads:  "Self-sustaining ecosystem"
means reclaimed land that is self-renewing without augmented seeding,
amendments, or other assistance which is capable of supporting
communities of living organisms and their environment.  A
self-sustaining ecosystem includes hydrologic and nutrient cycles
functioning at levels of productivity sufficient to support biological
diversity."  [19 NMAC 107.LL 7-12-94, 2-15-96].

The time has come to apply the rubber to the road.  I would appreciate
receiving some leads on literature that: 1) supports this concept; 2)
identify some basic measurable parameters for "sustainable ecosystem";
3) provides some thoughts as to how to measure/quantify  these
parameters; and, 4) expands on the philosophy of reclamation to some
sustainable postmining land use.  In this state that postmining land use
is likely to be grazing land for livestock and wildlife habitat.  Thanks
to all for giving this some thought.