Ecological Restoration of Coal Mine-Degraded Lands in Dry Tropical Climate: What has been done? And what needs to be done?

Ecological Restoration of Coal Mine-Degraded Lands in Dry Tropical Climate: What has been done? And what needs to be done?

Background

This paper discusses known methodology for how to restore native forest to abandoned coal mines. The paper splits the process of reclaiming abandoned coal mines into two sections, 1.) physical, technical, or engineering restoration and 2.) Biological Restoration. It also stresses taking a landscape scale approach to restoration, which includes 1.) an initial survey of the area, 2.) determination of the ultimate landscape objectives, and after restoration landuse possibilities, 3.) preparation of working plans for each phase of the restoration operation.

Conclusions & Takeaways

The paper identifies three main factors that need attention 1.) Remodeling physical aspects of the environment, 2.) Remodeling chemical aspects, nutrients, and toxicity, 3.) Replacing missing species. It reccomends planting a diverse mixture of species including fast-growing exotics, and native late successional species tree species interspersed with grass and leguminous mixtures all at the onset of restoration. It also, identifies knowledge gaps in our understanding of restoration of abandoned coal mines in tropical dry forests.

Reference: 

Ahirwal J, Maiti SKumar, Singh AKumar. Ecological Restoration of Coal Mine-Degraded Lands in Dry Tropical Climate: What Has Been Done and What Needs to Be Done?. Environmental Quality Management. 2016;26:25–36. doi:10.1002/tqem.21481.

Affiliation: 

  • Indian Institute of Technology