A vegetation survey of open-cut mining lands revegetated from 1982 to 1992 was carried out in the former Matsuo Sulfur Mine, Iwate Prefecture. Vegetation was predominantly characterized by creeping red fescue (Festuca elatior var. arudinacea), red top (Agrostis alba L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), timothy (Phteum pratense L.), Kentucky 31 fescue (Festuca elatior var. arudinacea) and Artemisia asiatica NAKAI, which were introduced as revegetation plants. After 3 y of revegetation, however, Salix Reinii FRANCH. et SAV. invaded and was followed by Anaphalis margaritacea BENTH. et HOOK., Carex oxyandra KUDO, Salix integra THUN., and two kinds of mosses. After 4 y of revegetation, the percentage of vegetational cover decreased, resulting in marked erosion of soils dressed on the open-cut mining lands. After revegetating in 1986,with and without mulch treatments or on the south- and north-facing slopes of the open-cut mining lands, the growth of eight tree species was observed during 1987 to 1993. Among the eight tree species, Elaeagnus crispa THUN. and Salix integra THUN. showed good growth. The effects of mulching and direction of revegetated slopes on the growth of trees, however, were not obvious.
