Abstract
The reclamation of surface (opencast) coal mines is not always successful; there remains a legacy of degraded land that burdens local communities. This article evaluates a community-oriented, low-cost means of geoecological regeneration, the “Cradle for Nature” strategy, which uses mosaic tree planting to foster positive natural ecological processes. Results show that, while the autocompaction of minestones quickly raises soil densities to levels hostile to plant growth, forestation helps moderate soil densities. Weathering concentrates metals in minestones, but 14 years of forestation reduced the loadings of five metals by 35–52%. Twenty years of forestation doubled soil organic carbon to >7%; increased bacilli from 7% to 46%; actinomycetes from 10% to 26%; and soil microbe counts 12–15 times, especially in tree plantings treated with fertiliser. Soils under trees also supported a significantly greater earthworm biomass than under grass but, while open-canopy plantings had increased ground flora biodiversity, closed-canopy plantings had lower diversity and biomass. Following closure to grazing, ground biomass increased sevenfold. Young trees act as bird perches and significantly increase seed fall. Small mammal biomass and biodiversity increases after tree planting and higher predators appear. Varteg’s constructed forest provides an effective “cradle” for an emergent geoecological system and its habitat mosaic maximises biodiversity.
Highlights
Surface mining consumes land; land reclamation is the process of returning mined-through land to an environmentally and socially acceptable state
The reality of much land reclamation work falls far short of its initial promise and environmental reconstruction owes as much to faith as to science [1]
Despite the routine assurances offered by those who propose new mines, the land left behind by surface coal mining tells its own story and it is clear that no one is able to guarantee its quality
Summary
Surface mining consumes land; land reclamation is the process of returning mined-through land to an environmentally and socially acceptable state. As in the recycling of other industrial wastes, the recycling of surface-mined land can prove difficult. The reality of much land reclamation work falls far short of its initial promise and environmental reconstruction owes as much to faith as to science [1]. While land reclamation successes are showcased, its shortfalls and failures are ignored. Despite the routine assurances offered by those who propose new mines, the land left behind by surface coal mining tells its own story and it is clear that no one is able to guarantee its quality. All too often mining communities are left with a legacy of unreclaimed, poorly reclaimed, actively
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