Ecological Restoration of Coalmine-Degraded Lands: Influence of Plant Species and Revegetation on Soil Development

This study investigated soil development resulting from revegetation in a coal mining area northern Henan, China. The effectiveness of six distinct methods for reclaiming mine-degraded lands was assessed. These employed various species such as Ulmus pumila, Amorpha fruticosa, Robinia pseudoacacia, Jerusalem artichoke, and Sea buckthorn. Over three-year reclamation period, analyzed to identify the most suitable plant species. Soil samples were collected different depths, encompassing topsoil (0–20 cm) subsoil (20–40 each method control group. Principal component analysis evaluate impacts on development. findings show that significantly impacted properties, lowering pH, electric conductivity, density while increasing moisture, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. effects more pronounced topsoil. Among methods, mixed plantation buckthorn fruticosa effective, delivering highest carbon at 3.23% 1.32%. offers insights into successful mine advancement green climate-smart practices.