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A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The long-term effect of eucalyptus plantations on tin-mine spoil and its implication for reclamation
AbstractAs part of the reclamation strategy for tin-mine spoil on the Jos Plateau of Nigeria, eucalypt plantations comprising mainly Eucalyptus camaldulensis have been established on reclaimed sites. The intention of this practice, started in 1960, was that the eucalyptus would speed up the process of amelioration of the spoil soils so that agriculture could be re-established on these sites within 20–30 years. The demise of the Mine Lands Reclamation Unit which instituted this policy has meant that monitoring of the long-term effects of these eucalypts on the soil has also ceased. As part of a wider project involved with mineland reclamation, in 1983 an investigation was launched into the effects that eucalypt plantations have had on the spoil soils in the 15–20 years since their establishment.The results indicate that the plantations have had little impact on the morphology of the soils. Despite a high litter input, large areas of the ground surface beneath the eucalypts remains completely bare and ground vegetation is very limited in extent, tending to be concentrated in wetter hollows. This lack of ground cover is thought to be due to a combination of surface compaction caused during reclamation and the allelopathic properties of the eucalypt leaves.Although much of the soil beneath the eucalypts is devoid of any organic layer, the eucalypts have nevertheless significantly increased the amount of organic carbon and total nitrogen in the soils. This is accompanied by an associated increase in cation exchange capacity and a significant fall in both pH and base saturation. This decrease in base saturation and pH indicates that, under current management practices, the long-term effect of eucalypts is one of progressive degradation of already poor soils. This is exactly the opposite result to that which was envisaged by the Mine land Reclamation Unit when it adopted the policy of establishing eucalypt plantations.A change in management practices, whereby the slash produced during coppicing of the plantations is left to decompose in situ, may help to reduce the long-term deterioration of the soil. Such a policy would however require extremely detailed policing arrangements. If the aim of reclamation remains that of producing soil of agricultural quality from the mining spoil, then an alternative is required. A possible solution would involve the addition of large quantities of cheap organic fertilizer and the immediate use of the restored land for agriculture.
The long-term effect of eucalyptus plantations on tin-mine spoil and its implication for reclamation
AbstractAs part of the reclamation strategy for tin-mine spoil on the Jos Plateau of Nigeria, eucalypt plantations comprising mainly Eucalyptus camaldulensis have been established on reclaimed sites. The intention of this practice, started in 1960, was that the eucalyptus would speed up the process of amelioration of the spoil soils so that agriculture could be re-established on these sites within 20–30 years. The demise of the Mine Lands Reclamation Unit which instituted this policy has meant that monitoring of the long-term effects of these eucalypts on the soil has also ceased. As part of a wider project involved with mineland reclamation, in 1983 an investigation was launched into the effects that eucalypt plantations have had on the spoil soils in the 15–20 years since their establishment.The results indicate that the plantations have had little impact on the morphology of the soils. Despite a high litter input, large areas of the ground surface beneath the eucalypts remains completely bare and ground vegetation is very limited in extent, tending to be concentrated in wetter hollows. This lack of ground cover is thought to be due to a combination of surface compaction caused during reclamation and the allelopathic properties of the eucalypt leaves.Although much of the soil beneath the eucalypts is devoid of any organic layer, the eucalypts have nevertheless significantly increased the amount of organic carbon and total nitrogen in the soils. This is accompanied by an associated increase in cation exchange capacity and a significant fall in both pH and base saturation. This decrease in base saturation and pH indicates that, under current management practices, the long-term effect of eucalypts is one of progressive degradation of already poor soils. This is exactly the opposite result to that which was envisaged by the Mine land Reclamation Unit when it adopted the policy of establishing eucalypt plantations.A change in management practices, whereby the slash produced during coppicing of the plantations is left to decompose in situ, may help to reduce the long-term deterioration of the soil. Such a policy would however require extremely detailed policing arrangements. If the aim of reclamation remains that of producing soil of agricultural quality from the mining spoil, then an alternative is required. A possible solution would involve the addition of large quantities of cheap organic fertilizer and the immediate use of the restored land for agriculture.
The long-term effect of eucalyptus plantations on tin-mine spoil and its implication for reclamation
Alexander, Michael J. (author)
Landscape and Urban Planning ; 17 ; 47-60
1988-05-06
14 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
EFFECT OF IRONSTONE MINE SPOIL RECLAMATION ON DRAINAGE WATER CHEMISTRY
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