Revegetation of reclaimed soda waste dumps: effects of topsoil parameters

Abstract

The paper presents the diversity of herbaceous vegetation developing in a complex of soda waste dumps in Krakow, which were reclaimed with a topsoil over 15 years ago (1995) and left without further treatment. A total of 132 plots were selected using the systematic method to determine some physical (texture composition, depth) and chemical parameters (pH, electrolytic conductivity, content of N, C, P, K, Mg, Ca, and C:N) of the topsoil. Plant species composition in each plot was determined using the Braun-Blanquet method. In total 133 plant species, predominantly ruderal and meadow ones, were found in the soda waste dumps. The areas dominated by ruderal species were characterized by greater depth of the topsoil and abundance in nitrogen and phosphorus, which increased the average plant height and plant cover. It was concluded that the reclamation method used for the soda waste dumps gave rise to communities with the predominance of ruderal species and halted the succession at this stage. Development of vegetation into meadow communities would require the use of a topsoil of low fertility and small depth. The species composition of the seed mixture intended for sowing on the reclaimed site should be ecologically matched to local conditions. For satisfactory reclamation effects, it is necessary to define the target characteristics of a plant community when determining the method of reclamation and land management.