Influence of landfill factors on plants and soil fauna-an ecological perspective

An ecological study was conducted on two landfill sites in Hong Kong. Both sites were contaminated by landfill gas and leachate, as indicated by the high concentrations of CH(4) and CO(2) and the presence of high concentration of NH(4)-N in the cover soil layer. Their plant diversity and performance, as well as the soil and litter animals, were compared with three derelict sites as references. The landfill sites had higher plant coverage and plant diversity, and higher densities of soil and litter animals than the reference sites. Similarly, the microbial activities at the landfill sites were higher than those at reference sites. The results showed that the landfill sites possessed an effective food web, starting from microbes to macroinvertebrates. Woodland establishment seems feasible at these landfill sites, and natural succession appears to take place at a higher rate at these landfill sites when compared with the reference sites.