Dust-related impacts of mining operations on rangeland vegetation and soil: a case study in Yazd province, Iran

Destructive mining operations are affecting large areas of natural ecosystems, especially in arid lands. The present study aims at investigating the impact iron mine exploitation on vegetation and soil Nodoushan (Yazd province, central Iran). Based dominant wind, topography, slope, area, parameters close to were recorded analyzed according distance from mine. To obtain cover, a transect plot windward leeward side mine, with 100 m intervals three replicates each sampling location was used, yielding 96 samples. amount dust vegetation, seed weight germination rate Artemisia sp. as species within microbial respiration measured. relationship between cover not linear, which due an interplay pollution local grazing, while other factors did increase or decrease linearly. results showed that, increased, 1000 seeds significantly increased 271 494 mg 11.7 48.4% 4.5 5.9 CO2 g−1 day−1, respectively, decreased 43.5 6 (g plant)−1 600 direction. A similar trend observed side, though negative effects lower compared same along sample locations. direct indirect plant growth health impacts generally linearly increasing up least m. Our serves showcase for potential bio-indicators cost-effective method assessing activities surrounding environment.