Hydro-seeding and mulching for establishing vegetation on mining spoils in Greece

• Published in: Land degradation & development Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 375 - 382
• Main Authors: Brofas, G., Varelides, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.07.2000
• Subjects: herbaceous species; hydro-seeding; mining spoils; mulching; reclamation; vegetation establishment
• ISSN: 1085-3278; 1099-145X
• DOI: 10.1002/1099-145X(200007/08)11:4<375::AID-LDR400>3.0.CO;2-G

On bauxite mining spoils in central Greece three replicate field trials, with (a) hydro‐seeding, (b) plus straw mulching, (c) plus plastic net fixing and (d) plus asphalt fixing, were executed and vegetation cover, number of plants and bio‐mass production measured during three consecutive years. It was found that hydro‐seeding alone gave poor results but slowly improved with time. The combined treatments proved superior, and there is no difference between the various ones, but their effect declined after the first year. Adverse effects of asphalt binder were not observed, but a laboratory trial showed that its direct contact with seeds can affect the survival and growth of certain species. The successfully established species include Lolium rigidum, Trifolium subterraneum and Sanguisorba minor. However, Phacelia tanacetifolia, despite its good performance in the first year, was significantly reduced in the consecutive years. Local species invaded in increasing numbers in the plots over the years, showing a succession from annual to perennial plants. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.