Plant Community Diversity at Two Reclaimed Mine Tailing Storage Facilities in Québec, Canada

Alyson Gagnon, Nicole J. Fenton, Pascal Sirois and Jean-François Boucher
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Alyson Gagnon: Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC G7H 2B1, Canada
Nicole J. Fenton: Institut de Recherche sur les Forêts, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E4, Canada
Pascal Sirois: Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC G7H 2B1, Canada
Jean-François Boucher: Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC G7H 2B1, Canada

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: Mining activities generate residues during the ore concentration process. These wastes are placed into large tailing storage facilities, and upon mine closure, these tailings must be reclaimed. This study aimed to determine how different reclamation methods, involving combinations of planted boreal woody species and organic amendments application (paper mill sludge biosolids, chicken manure, and topsoil) affected plant community diversity at two tailing storage facilities in Québec, Canada. We recorded the composition of the plant communities using the percent cover of plant species within 1 m × 1 m quadrats. At the Niobec mine site, paper mill sludge mixed with topsoil enhanced total plant cover was compared with the use of topsoil only; the former amendment, however, reduced evenness (J′) and diversity (1−D) due to the increased growth of grasses and invasive forbs. At the Mont-Wright site, plots having received paper mill sludge mixed with a “Norco” treatment (a mixture of chicken manure, hay, and grass seeds) produced the highest total plant cover. The Norco treatment mixed with topsoil and the single application of topsoil and biosolids produced the highest evenness (J′) and diversity (1−D). Overall, organic amendment applications promoted vegetation cover on tailings and contributed to the colonization of diverse plant communities.

Keywords: biodiversity; vegetation; reclamation; mine; tailings; organic amendment; plantation; paper mill sludges; chicken manure; topsoil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:11:p:1191-:d:672775

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