Dynamic Changes in Carbon Sequestration from Opencast Mining Activities and Land Reclamation in China’s Loess Plateau

Boyu Yang, Zhongke Bai, Yingui Cao, Feng Xie, Junjie Zhang and Yannan Wang
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Boyu Yang: School of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No. 29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Zhongke Bai: School of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No. 29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Yingui Cao: School of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No. 29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Feng Xie: School of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No. 29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Junjie Zhang: School of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No. 29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Yannan Wang: School of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, No. 29, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Opencast coal mining causes serious damage to the natural landscape, resulting in the depletion of the carbon sequestration capacity in the mining activity. There are few studies on the variation of carbon sequestration capabilities caused by land use changes in opencast mining areas. This paper uses six images were used to quantify the changes in land use types from 1986 to 2015 in the Pingshuo mining area in northwest China. At the same time, used statistical analysis and mathematical models to study soil and vegetation carbon sequestration. Results indicate that the total carbon sequestration exhibits a significant downward trend from 4.58 × 10 6 Mg in 1986 to 3.78 × 10 6 Mg in 2015, with the decrease of soil carbon sequestration accounting for the largest proportion. The carbon sequestration of arable land accounted for 51% of the total carbon sequestration in the mining area, followed by grassland (31%) and forestland (18%). Land reclamation contributed to the greatest increase in carbon sequestration of arable land from 17,890.15 Mg (1986) to 27,837.95 Mg (2015). Additionally, the downward trend in the carbon sequestration capacity of the mining ecosystem was mitigated after 2010 as the positive effects of land reclamation gradually amplified over time and as the mining techniques were greatly optimized in recent years in the Pingshuo mining area. Thus, terrestrial carbon sequestration can be improved through land reclamation projects and optimized mining activities. These results can help guide the utilization of reclaimed land in the future.

Keywords: land use management; driving factor; Pingshuo opencast mine; land-use change; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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