Abstract
In this study, natural vegetation development was compared on one abandoned open coal mine spoil and three reclaimed coal mine areas with umbrella pine-Pinus pinea L., maritime pine-Pinus pinaster Ait. and leguminous black locust-Robinia pseudoacacia L. in Agacli-Istanbul. Soil data of these sample areas were determined in previous studies. These properties demonstrate physically and nutritionally poor conditions and some rehabilitative effects after tree species were introduced. The plant species composition and total coverage for each species (vertical projection onto the ground) was estimated visually and recorded on each sample plot. Naturally revegetated plant species, species composition, Shannon-Wiener diversity index values, species richness, evenness, total abundance and their cover-abundance scales were evaluated by comparing each other. Generally, the best-represented species belong to Rosaceae in all investigated plots. Shannon diversity index and its components give the different results among sample plots. However, higher values were found on reclaimed sites. Highest Shannon diversity index (H') was found on the sample area reclaimed with maritime pine. Plant species richness (S) was highest under umbrella pine and plant species evenness (J') was highest on black locust sample plot. Despite the sample area reclaimed,black locust has the more fertile soil conditions, it has only the highest plant species evenness (J') value among areas. Key words: Coal mine, plant composition, reclamation, revegetation, species richness, species diversity
Highlights
Mined areas exhibit completely modified ecological system
Natural vegetation development was compared on one abandoned open coal mine spoil and three reclaimed coal mine areas with umbrella pine-Pinus pinea L., maritime pine-Pinus pinaster Ait. and leguminous black locust-Robinia pseudoacacia L. in Agacli-Istanbul
Depending on different soil and forest floor properties on reclaimed sites and open-naturally revegetated area, different results on natural vegetation succession properties were obtained as given further: The sample area reclaimed with maritime pine (P. pinaster Ait); the canopy cover of tree layer has been estimated 60% with an average tree height of 9 m; shrub layer cover has been estimated 15% with an average height of 2.5 m; herb layer cover has been estimated 40% with an average height of 0.4 m
Summary
Mined areas exhibit completely modified ecological system. Because of low organic matter contents and other unfavorable physico-chemical characteristics, mine spoils possess very rigorous conditions for plant growth (Banerjee et al, 2004; Singh and Singh, 2006). Plant succession following the exogenous disturbance associated with surface mining is a subject of both practical and ecological interest (Grant and Loneragan, 2001). Natural plant invasion and succession are important parts of vegetation development as well as nutrient enrichment at this type of disturbed sites (Banerjee et al, 2004). Once the vegetation is established, the improved soil condition in turn promotes plant succession.
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