Revegetation on Tropical Steep Slopes after Mining and Infrastructure Projects: Challenges and Solutions

Markus Gastauer (), Jhonny Capichoni Massante, Silvio Junio Ramos, Rayara do Socorro Souza da Silva, Daniela Boanares, Rafael Silva Guedes, Cecílio Frois Caldeira, Priscila Sanjuan Medeiros-Sarmento, Arianne Flexa de Castro, Isabelle Gonçalves de Oliveira Prado, André Luiz de Rezende Cardoso, Clóvis Maurity and Paula Godinho Ribeiro
Additional contact information
Markus Gastauer: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
Jhonny Capichoni Massante: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
Silvio Junio Ramos: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
Rayara do Socorro Souza da Silva: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
Daniela Boanares: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
Rafael Silva Guedes: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
Cecílio Frois Caldeira: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
Priscila Sanjuan Medeiros-Sarmento: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
Arianne Flexa de Castro: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
Isabelle Gonçalves de Oliveira Prado: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
André Luiz de Rezende Cardoso: Bioma Meio Ambiente, Alameda do Ingá, 840, Vale do Sereno, Nova Lima 34006-042, MG, Brazil
Clóvis Maurity: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
Paula Godinho Ribeiro: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 24, 1-19

Abstract: The revegetation of steep slopes after mining and infrastructure projects is not an easy task. To enhance the effectiveness of revegetation projects, the present study aimed to review (i) specific challenges of steep slope revegetation, (ii) ecological succession patterns in similar environments, (iii) soil conditioning and revegetation strategies to enhance vegetation cover, (iv) the importance of microorganisms to enhance steep slope revegetation, and (v) the functional plant traits necessary to establish on steep slopes. In general, steep slopes are characterized by high bulk densities, potentially toxic elements, and low water and nutrient availability. Additionally, high temperature and elevated radiation constrain the soil conditioning and vegetation cover establishment. Lessons from ecological succession in natural steep slope habitats show that steep slope revegetation is a long-term process. Planting strategies, including hydroseeding and geotextiles, may enhance the implementation of vegetation cover. Different plant functional groups show adaptations necessary for establishment in steep slope environments, and mixtures of species containing different functional groups can promote diverse and resilient plant communities. Promising species may be retrieved from local rupestrian ecosystems, as these floras are adapted to shallow, oligotrophic soils. Further research on combining methods of soil conditioning with individual planting and/or seeding strategies of carefully selected species is necessary to enhance steep slope revegetation and rehabilitation, contributing to slope stability, erosion reduction, and carbon fixation in the long term.

Keywords: slope stability; erosion; succession; rupestrian ecosystems; species selection; mining; rehabilitation; carbon fixation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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