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Landscape functionality of plant communities in the Impala Platinum mining area, Rustenburg
L van der Walt1, S S Cilliers, K Kellner
1School of Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa. 20480628@nwu.ac.za
Journal of Environmental Management
|September 25, 2012
Summary
Rehabilitated platinum mine sites in South Africa show improved landscape functionality, including better infiltration and nutrient cycling, compared to natural thornveld areas. Vegetated patches are key to this ecological recovery.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecological Restoration
- Soil Science
Background:
- Platinum mining in South Africa generates alkaline, sterile waste with low water-holding capacity, creating dysfunctional landscapes.
- Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) is a method to assess landscape degradation using soil surface indicators.
- The Trigger-Transfer-Reserve-Pulse (TTRP) framework underpins LFA by examining resource loss and utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the landscape functionality of natural thornveld, rehabilitated opencast mines, and rehabilitated tailings dams in the Rustenburg area.
- To assess the impact of mining on landscape function and the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts.
- To identify key landscape features influencing ecological recovery.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a landscape heterogeneity survey to understand spatial organization.
- Assessed soil surface indicators within patch and interpatch types using LFA.
- Calculated landscape organization and soil surface quality indices, focusing on surface stability, infiltration, and nutrient cycling.
Main Results:
- Rehabilitated mine sites exhibited higher overall landscape functionality than natural thornveld, primarily due to enhanced infiltration and nutrient cycling.
- The length of interpatches and width of patches significantly influenced landscape function.
- Vegetated patches (grass, forb, shrub) demonstrated the highest functionality indices, while bare soil interpatches contributed least.
Conclusions:
- Rehabilitation of platinum mining areas can lead to improved landscape functionality, surpassing natural systems in certain aspects.
- Optimizing patch and interpatch characteristics is crucial for effective landscape restoration.
- Promoting vegetated patches is essential for enhancing soil stability, infiltration, and nutrient cycling in restored mine sites.
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