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

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  • Markus Gastauer

    (Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém 66055-200, PA, Brazil
    Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, R. Augusto Corrêa, 01, Bairro Guamá, Belém 66075-110, 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
    Current address: Laboratório de Ciência do Solo, Instituto de Estudos do Trópico Úmido, Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará, Rua Alberto Santos Dumont, s/n, Residencial Jardim Universitário, Xinguara 68557-335, 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
    Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, R. Augusto Corrêa, 01, Bairro Guamá, Belém 66075-110, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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-Sarmen, 2022. "Revegetation on Tropical Steep Slopes after Mining and Infrastructure Projects: Challenges and Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:24:p:17003-:d:1007685
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Birhanu Kebede & Atsushi Tsunekawa & Nigussie Haregeweyn & Amrakh I. Mamedov & Mitsuru Tsubo & Ayele Almaw Fenta & Derege Tsegaye Meshesha & Tsugiyuki Masunaga & Enyew Adgo & Getu Abebe & Mulatu Liyew, 2020. "Effectiveness of Polyacrylamide in Reducing Runoff and Soil Loss under Consecutive Rainfall Storms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Alessio Cislaghi & Paolo Sala & Gigliola Borgonovo & Claudio Gandolfi & Gian Battista Bischetti, 2021. "Towards More Sustainable Materials for Geo-Environmental Engineering: The Case of Geogrids," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-21, February.
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