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

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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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Alyson Gagnon & Nicole J. Fenton & Pascal Sirois & Jean-François Boucher, 2021. "Plant Community Diversity at Two Reclaimed Mine Tailing Storage Facilities in Québec, Canada," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:11:p:1191-:d:672775
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher M. Clark & David Tilman, 2008. "Loss of plant species after chronic low-level nitrogen deposition to prairie grasslands," Nature, Nature, vol. 451(7179), pages 712-715, February.
    2. Faubert, Patrick & Barnabé, Simon & Bouchard, Sylvie & Côté, Richard & Villeneuve, Claude, 2016. "Pulp and paper mill sludge management practices: What are the challenges to assess the impacts on greenhouse gas emissions?," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 107-133.
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    Cited by:

    1. Oimahmad Rahmonov & Jacek Różkowski & Grzegorz Klys, 2022. "The Managing and Restoring of Degraded Land in Post-Mining Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-3, February.
    2. Izabela Jonek-Kowalska & Marian Turek, 2022. "The Economic Situation of Polish Cities in Post-Mining Regions. Long-Term Analysis on the Example of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, April.

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