Compost-assisted phytostabilization has recently emerged as a robust alternative for reclamation of metalliferous mine tailings. Previous studies suggest that root-associated microbes may be important for facilitating plant establishment on the tailings, yet little is known about the long-term dynamics of microbial communities during reclamation. A mechanistic understanding of microbial communi...

Soil desertification is a serious problem in arid northwestern China that threatens ecological sustainability. Artemisia sphaerocephala, dominant shrub species, play an important role the conservation of water and restoration soil desert ecosystem. However, poor establishment A. sphaerocephala often limits plant revegetation, optimal population density for sustainable growth largely unknown. He...

Soil aggregate stability (SAS) is an important factor for soil quality and fertility. There are limited possibilities to influence this property, but one investigated method the application of additives which have potential improve SAS. We established a four-year field experiment on clay-loam Luvisol with poor structure monitor SAS following grassland revegetation. Treatments included: (1) untr...

Government agencies whose work impacts the environment have sought more sustainable policy changes that require use of native plants for revegetation. However, New England DOTs encountered hurdles in attempts to transition from using cool-season turfgrass implementing complicated management practices required establish plant communities. Two most significant barriers been slow mainly revegetati...

The Lechang lead/zinc (Pb/Zn) mine and Dabao Shan copper (Cu) mine are located at the north of Guangdong Province in southern China. The residual tailings were permanently stored in tailings ponds which required revegetation to reduce their impact on the environment. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using Vetiveria zizanioides (vetiver) and Phragmities australis (...

Cessation of mining operations in Ducktown, TN, left 800-900 acres of barren copper mine tailings. Revegetation activities had met with limited success. In 1998, efforts for revegetation of the tailings materials began anew. The objective of this case history is to provide insight into decision making processes which resulted in conversion of 800-900 acres of barren mine tailings into a vegetat...