Kentucky State University announced on May 5 that new research is providing a clearer understanding of the environmental and economic benefits of watershed restoration in Eastern Kentucky. The studies focus on landscapes shaped by generations of energy production.
The research is important because it evaluates how targeted restoration efforts impact carbon storage, vegetation recovery, and ecosystem services across post-mining areas. These findings may help guide future land management strategies and policies aimed at improving both ecological health and local economies.
Two studies led by Shreesha Pandeya, a research associate at Kentucky State University, examined outcomes in the Big Sandy River Basin. The first study was published in Environmental Management and the second in Environmental Challenges. Both projects were conducted through the university’s Integrative Human-Environment Dynamics Lab (IHED) and Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Environmental Security (CGIES), with collaboration from Dr. Buddhi R. Gyawali and Dr. Suraj Upadhaya.
A key finding highlighted that climate-regulating ecosystem services provided by restored landscapes exceeded $6,000 per hectare, indicating significant economic value from sustained investment in land restoration. According to data from 2001 to 2021 analyzed in one study, priority watersheds saw carbon storage levels nearly 6.5 times higher than non-priority areas over the same period.
“Targeted restoration efforts are enhancing the landscape’s ability to absorb and store carbon, a critical function in supporting long-term environmental resilience,” Pandeya said.
Satellite imagery analysis revealed that priority watersheds experienced greater reductions in barren land—up to 67% decline—and increases in forests or shrublands compared to non-priority watersheds, which faced more development pressure and loss of forest cover.
“These studies show that heavily altered landscapes can recover, and that targeted restoration, especially through watershed prioritization, can make a measurable difference for ecosystems and communities,” Pandeya said. “I hope this research supports better watershed management and long-term sustainability in Eastern Kentucky.”
Dr. Upadhaya said: “Targeted investments in priority watersheds are showing positive results… The next challenge is determining how these lessons can help guide restoration strategies across a broader range of landscapes with different histories, needs, and levels of investment.”
The researchers noted some improvements remain gradual due to historic impacts such as soil compaction or habitat disturbance but emphasized their work offers comprehensive insights into post-mining landscape recovery.
“Together, these studies offer one of the most comprehensive assessments of post-mining landscape recovery in Appalachia,” Dr. Gyawali said. “They demonstrate that strategic, policy-driven restoration can produce measurable environmental gains… For policymakers and land managers, the priority now must be to sustain and strengthen these efforts.”
Through CGIES at Kentucky State University, researchers continue using geospatial analysis tools to address complex ecosystem challenges regionally.
“At Kentucky State University CGIES applies geospatial analysis… This work is generating data-driven insights that can inform more effective policies for watershed management,” Dr. Gyawali said.
