Comparison of translocation methods to conserve metallophyte communities in the Southeastern D.R. Congo.
In southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, unique metallophyte communities supporting numerous endemic species occurred on the highly mineralized copper cobalt (Cu-Co) hills throughout the province. These hills are economically valuable mineral reserves; mining activities represent therefore a threat to the long-term persistence of these communities. Ex situ conservation program was set up by a mining company to rescue and conserve the diversity of Cu-Co communities until restoration activities are initiated. Two kinds of Cu-Co communities: the steppe and the steppic savanna, were translocated using topsoil spreading and whole-turf translocation. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of these two techniques in conserving Cu-Co communities and their potential use in future restoration programs. More than 2 years after the translocation, whole-turf translocation appeared to be the better technique for ex situ conservation of endemic Cu-Co species. Not only did whole-turf successfully translocate numerous target species that were not present in the topsoil areas, but it also resulted in fewer ruderal and non-target species compared to topsoil spreading. Topsoil spreading recorded low seedling emergence from seed bank due to large proportions of dormant seeds or the absence of a seed bank, especially for the steppic savanna. Restoration of the steppe is currently more successful than for steppic savanna where the lack of dominant and structuring species likely contributed to divergence in species composition compared to reference ecosystem. Our study stresses the fact that tropical old-growth grasslands, which require probably several centuries to assemble, are difficult to restore or translocate.
BIOSE-Biosystem Engineering Department, Biodiversity and Landscape Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, Gembloux, 5030, Belgium. soizig.lestradic@gmail.com.
Soizig
S
Le Stradic
BIOSE-Biosystem Engineering Department, Biodiversity and Landscape Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, Gembloux, 5030, Belgium.
Maxime
M
Séleck
BIOSE-Biosystem Engineering Department, Biodiversity and Landscape Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, Gembloux, 5030, Belgium.
Julie
J
Lebrun
BIOSE-Biosystem Engineering Department, Biodiversity and Landscape Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, Gembloux, 5030, Belgium.
Sylvain
S
Boisson
Tenke Fungurume Mining SARL, Route de l'aéroport, Luano City, Lubumbashi, Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Guylain
G
Handjila
Hydrogeochimical Interactions Soil-Environment (HydrISE) Unit, Polytechnic Institute LaSalle Beauvais (ISAB-IGAL), 15 rue Pierre Waguet, Beauvais, 60026, France.
Michel-Pierre
MP
Faucon
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., 1600 East Hanley Blvd, Oro Valley, AZ, 85737, USA.
Terrence
T
Enk
BIOSE-Biosystem Engineering Department, Biodiversity and Landscape Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 2 Passage des Déportés, Gembloux, 5030, Belgium.
Grégory
G
Mahy
D003035:Cobalt / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D017753:Ecosystem; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D008906:Mining; D006109:Poaceae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry
D012987:Soil; D003035:Cobalt; D003300:Copper
Copper flora; Katanga; Mining; Old-growth grasslands; Restoration; Topsoil spreading; Whole-turf translocation