Abstract
Coal-waste dumps are an integral part of the environment and shape the landscape of coal basins. This study aimed to present an analysis of environmental changes in terms of land use and changes in vegetation on self-heating coal-waste dumps of different ages. Spatial and temporal analyses of land relief and land cover in the area of the investigated coal-waste dumps were performed. The investigated areas differed in size, shape, management, and land cover. Thermally active zones were identified. The results showed that the species composition of the flora is diverse, but representatives of the Asteraceae family dominate on both dumps. The diversity of flora in the investigated dumps depends on the presence of mosaic- and microhabitats (often of an extreme nature) and the nature of the vegetation in the surroundings, which is manifested by the participation of socioecological groups of flora. The pace and dynamics of succession on burning coal-waste dumps depends on the stage of the fire, the topography, and the nature of the substrate. The investigated changes in the elements of the environment are important from the point of view of application research and monitoring of postindustrial areas, which may allow for the optimal management of postmining dumps.
Highlights
Raw materials, including hard coal, are a stimulus for industrial development and economic growth and pose serious ecological and environmental problems during their exploitation and use [1,2]
Sustainable mining requires the constant monitoring of land cover and changes in land use caused by mining activities, which requires certain financial outlays and technological solutions [10,11,12]
Until 1992, the analyzed area of D-RS-1 was an industrial area actively used by a brickyard, the voids of which are visible on historical maps (Figure 2). Changes in this area took place in 1992, when the voids were filled with coal material, and a coal-waste dump was constructed
Summary
Raw materials, including hard coal, are a stimulus for industrial development and economic growth and pose serious ecological and environmental problems during their exploitation and use [1,2]. The formation of mines and their activities lead to changes in spatial development and land cover This is due to the fact that, when it comes to mining, the environment is, most often classified in terms of commodities, i.e., as capital [7,8,9]. Sustainable mining requires the constant monitoring of land cover and changes in land use caused by mining activities, which requires certain financial outlays and technological solutions [10,11,12]. This magnifies the impact of mining on the landscape, which is significant. After the raw material is extracted, most developed countries undertake technically difficult reclamation projects to integrate this often completely new landscape with the surrounding untouched areas [4,13,14,15]
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