Temporal dynamics in biotic and functional recovery following mining

Human-induced disturbance has substantially influenced the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems globally. However, extent to which multiple ecosystem functions (multifunctionality) recover following anthropogenic (ecosystem recovery) remains poorly understood. We report on first study examining temporal dynamics in recovery multifunctionality from 3 12 years after commencement rehabilitation mining-induced disturbance, relate this information changes biota. examined 57 biotic (plants, microbial) functional (soil) attributes associated with biodiversity services at four open-cut coal mines eastern Australia. Increasing time since was increases overall multifunctionality, soil microbial abundance, plant productivity, stability, but not nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration nor nutrients. responses individual properties varied widely, strongly positive (e.g. litter cover, fine coarse frass, seed biomass, fungal biomass) negative (groundstorey foliage cover). also show that sites more developed biota tended have greater multifunctionality. Moreover, closely most components, integrity respiration. Overall, however, rehabilitated still differed reference a decade rehabilitation. Synthesis applications. The dominant role cover relation respiration, function, C N pools suggests recovering is critically important priority programs. Nonetheless, slow indicates mining likely protracted.