Abstract
In response to national policy obligations, many mining companies in Ghana have restored/reclaimed degraded mined out sites through revegetation. The area extent of such restored areas is unknown and there is also paucity of data on success of restoration, species diversity and compositional dynamics of such restored landscapes, particularly using mixed species. This study assessed stand structure, diversity and composition dynamics of sites restored with mixed species and models species abundance distribution on these sites. Three reclaimed and one control site (adjacent natural forest) were inventoried using 27, 30 x 30 m plots on the Hwini-Butre and Benso concession of the Golden Star Wassa Limited. Overall 3057 (per 24 plots) and 150 (per 3 plots) individual trees were recorded in the overstorey of the reclaimed and control sites, respectively. In all, 31 species in 13 families occurred on the reclaimed site while 61 species in 29 families occurred on the control. Species richness, abundance and diversity were significantly lower in the reclaimed sites than the control in the overstorey (p≤0.018), mid-storey (p ≤ 0.032), and understorey (p≤ 0.031). Species composition of the reclaimed and control sites were mostly dissimilar in the overstorey, midstorey, and understorey. However, the midstorey and overstorey of the reclaimed sites showed high similarity in composition (Jaccard’s index = 0.817). Pioneer and shade-tolerant species were most dominant in the understorey of the control while only shade-tolerant species (mostly herbs and grasses) dominated the reclaimed sites. Species abundance distribution of both reclaimed and control sites followed the geometric series model, indicating that both sites are disturbed but at different intensities. It is concluded that reclamation with mixed species does not necessarily lead to rapid restoration of indigenous climax species on mine spoils. Nonetheless, it may lead to accomplishments of short-term goals of stabilizing and protecting landscapes while conditioning the sites for colonisation of the climax species.
Highlights
The reclamation and restoration of degraded mined sites is a mandatory legal requirement for mine closure in Ghana
Overall 3057 (1415±176 stems per ha across 24 plots) and 150 (556±41 stems per ha across 3 plots) matured individual trees were recorded in the overstorey of the reclaimed and control sites, respectively
Overstorey trees and shrubs of the reclaimed site belonged to 31 species in 13 families while those of the adjacent natural forest were grouped into 61 species in 29 families
Summary
The reclamation and restoration of degraded mined sites is a mandatory legal requirement for mine closure in Ghana. Ghana stipulates that any land used for mineral exploration is rehabilitated and as far as possible returned to the condition in which it was prior to the mining operations [1]. Redressing land degradation through integrated landscape management is government of Ghana priority with several projects being initiated and implemented including the multi-sectoral mining integrated project [2]. Compliance and adherence to these mine closure regulations have been somewhat positive among mining companies in the country and restoration or reclamation efforts are gradually rising. The reclamation and restoration successes as well as growth and diversity dynamics on these reclaimed sites remain elusive
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