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Effects of Ground Subsidence on Vegetation Chlorophyll Content in Semi-Arid Mining Area: From Leaf Scale to Canopy Scale

Author

Listed:
  • Xingchen Yang

    (Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Mine Ecological Restoration, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Shaogang Lei

    (Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Mine Ecological Restoration, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Yunxi Shi

    (Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Mine Ecological Restoration, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
    School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Weizhong Wang

    (Environmental Restoration and Management Center of Jungar Banner Mining Area, Ordos 017100, China)

Abstract

Ground subsidence is the main cause of vegetation degradation in mining areas. It is of great significance to study the effects of ground subsidence on vegetation. At present, few studies have analyzed the effects of ground subsidence on vegetation from different scales. However, the conclusions on different scales may differ. In this experiment, chlorophyll content was used as an indicator of vegetation degradation. We conducted a long-term field survey in the Lijiahao coalfield in China. Based on field survey data and remote sensing images, we analyzed the effects of ground subsidence on chlorophyll content from two scales (leaf scale and canopy scale) and summarized the similarities and differences. We found that, regardless of leaf scale or canopy scale, the effects of subsidence on chlorophyll content have the following three characteristics: (1) mining had the least effect on chlorophyll content in the neutral area, followed by the compression area, and the greatest effect on chlorophyll content in the extension area; (2) subsidence had a slight effect on chlorophyll content of Caragana korshins , but a serious effect on chlorophyll content of Stipa baicalensis ; (3) chlorophyll content was not immediately affected when the ground sank. It was the cumulative subsidence that affects chlorophyll content. The difference between leaf scale and canopy scale was that the chlorophyll content at canopy scale is more affected by mining. This means that when assessing vegetation degradation, the results obtained by remote sensing were more severe than those measured in the field. We believe that this is because the canopy chlorophyll content obtained by remote sensing is also affected by the plant canopy structure. We recommend that mining and ecological restoration should be carried out concurrently, and that ground fissures should be taken as the focus of ecological restoration. In addition, Caragana korshins ought to be widely planted. Most importantly, managers should assess the effects of ground subsidence on vegetation on different scales. However, managers need to be aware of differences at different scales.

Suggested Citation

  • Xingchen Yang & Shaogang Lei & Yunxi Shi & Weizhong Wang, 2022. "Effects of Ground Subsidence on Vegetation Chlorophyll Content in Semi-Arid Mining Area: From Leaf Scale to Canopy Scale," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:493-:d:1017669
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jiaxin Mi & Yongjun Yang & Huping Hou & Shaoliang Zhang & Zhongyi Ding & Yifei Hua, 2022. "Impacts of Ground Fissures on Soil Properties in an Underground Mining Area on the Loess Plateau, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Jiawei Hui & Zhongke Bai & Baoying Ye & Zihao Wang, 2021. "Remote Sensing Monitoring and Evaluation of Vegetation Restoration in Grassland Mining Areas—A Case Study of the Shengli Mining Area in Xilinhot City, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
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