title: The importance of edaphic niches and pioneer plant species succession for the phytomanagement of mine tailings.
abstract: Phytomanagement in terms of phytostabilisation is considered a suitable method to decrease environmental risks of metal(loid) enriched mine tailings. The goal of this study was to identify plant-favourable edaphic niches in mine tailings from a semiarid area, in order to obtain relevant information for further phytostabilisation procedures. For this purpose, a transect-designed sampling from non-disturbed soils to two mine tailings was performed, including the description of soil and plant ecology gradients. Plant ecological indicators showed several stages in plant succession: from weeds to stable patches of late successional plant species. PCA results revealed that plant distribution at the tailings was driven mainly by salinity while metal(loid) concentrations played a minor role. The presence of soil desiccation cracks generated low salinity patches which facilitated favourable niches for plant establishment. Edaphic-patch distribution may condition phytostabilisation since ploughing or the employment of certain amendments should take into account favourable niches for plant growth.
authors: Universidad Politecnica de Cartagena, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agraria, Paseo Alfonso XIII 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain.
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Parraga-Aguado
authors: Maria Nazaret
authors: MN
authors: Gonzalez-Alcaraz
authors: Jose
authors: J
authors: Alvarez-Rogel
authors: Francisco J
authors: FJ
authors: Jimenez-Carceles
authors: Hector M
authors: HM
authors: Conesa
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004777:Environment; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D008906:Mining; D010944:Plants / Q000145:classification*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants