Natural recovery of different areas of a deserted quarry in South China
DUAN Wenjun , REN Hai , FU Shenglei , WANG Jun , YANG Long , ZHANG Jinping
DOI:
Received June 04, 2007,Revised August 12, 2007, Accepted , Available online
Volume 20,2008,Pages 476-481
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A quarry is a surface mining operated place, which produces enormous quantities of gravel, limestone, and other materials for
industrial and construction applications. Restoration and revegetation of deserted quarries are becoming increasingly important. Three
areas of a typical quarry in South China: terrace for crushed materials (terrace), spoiled mound, and remaining side slope, were
investigated, to compare the existing plant species and to study the relationship between environmental factors and revegetation. The
plant species composition of these three areas was found to di er significantly after eight years of natural recovery. The typical plant
communities found over them were composed of gramineous herbs, ferns, and shrubs. Soil organic matter, soil moisture, and soil
bulk density were considered to be the major determining factors for vegetation succession. There existed abiotic and biotic thresholds
during quarrying restoration. Suggestions had been presented that could have accelerated the process of natural recovery in quarries.
