Soil Carbon Sequestration in Novel Ecosystems at Post-Mine Sites—A New Insight into the Determination of Key Factors in the Restoration of Terrestrial Ecosystems

Abstract

Mining activities are one of the main causes of land degradation around the world and reduce the quality of the surrounding ecosystems. Restoration approaches using different vegetations and reclamation methods have been implemented to address this issue. In this review, paper, different studies focusing on the effect of the restoration of mining sites on the accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) were analyzed. SOC in reclaimed mining soil (RMS) increased considerably after various restoration efforts were implemented. The amount of SOC accumulated in RMS was mostly influenced by the restoration age, vegetation type, and substrate or type of reclamation used. From the scientific papers analyzed, we found that SOC accumulation increases with restoration age; however, vegetation type and reclamation have varied effects. According to the review, the restoration of mine sites with vegetation resulted in a rate of SOC accumulation ranging from 0.37 to 5.68 Mg SOC ha−1 year−1. Climate conditions influenced the type of vegetation used for restoration. Regrading, liming, NPK fertilization, and seeding a mix of legumes and grasses were the most efficient reclamation techniques. Additionally, the use of grass and legume better facilitates the early accumulation of SOC compared with afforestation. Thus, the selection of appropriate tree species composition, reclamation treatments, and restoration age are the key factors for a high SOC accumulation rate.

Changes in Physical and Water Retention Properties of Technosols by Agricultural Reclamation with Wheat–Rapeseed Rotation in a Post-Mining Area of Central Poland

“…During agricultural reclamation, biomass development is mainly limited by nitrogen and most post-mining land parent materials are characterized by severe deficiencies of this nutrient [11,16]. Hence, legumes are often used to ease nitrogen deficiency in Technosols of post-mining areas [13,43,74]. However, supporting legumes with fertilizer promotes biomass growth and improved Technosols [13,15].…”

Characteristics of soil physical, dust content, and estimation of soil carbon in the reclamation area of PT Semen Bosowa Maros

“…The results of the carbon content estimation obtained are in line with the results of measurements of bulk density and soil C-Organic content that have been carried out previously. So according to [24], the type of vegetation, climate, soil moisture, and substrate or type of reclamation applied geatly influences the amount of soil carbon accumulation in the mine reclamation area. Thus, the successful accumulation of soil carbon in reclamation areas requires a proper understanding of the selection and management of reclamation methods and the determination of the selection of tree species that are interrelated with the physical and chemical properties of the soil.…”

Cap. 6. Cambios en la cobertura terrestre y en el uso de la tierra. En: La Quinta Evaluación Nacional del Clima.

“…Los cambios en el clima y el uso de la tierra ofrecen oportunidades de mitigación y adaptación, como la restauración de tierras después de las alteraciones utilizando especies adaptadas al clima, lo que podría aumentar la biodiversidad y la resiliencia al cambio climático 112 . El aumento del almacenamiento de carbono terrestre puede lograrse mediante cambios en la gestión de tierras (KM 6.3), por ejemplo mediante la forestación (Capítulo 7), prácticas de pastoreo alteradas (Capítulo 11) 53, gestión modificada de cultivos (Capítulo 11), tierras agrícolas conservadas 113 , restauración activa de tierras alteradas 114 y uso de incendios controlados para evitar incendios forestales 115 .…”