Colonization of spoil benches of an opencast lignite mine in northwest Spain by amphibians and reptiles
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Published source details
Galán P. (1997) Colonization of spoil benches of an opencast lignite mine in northwest Spain by amphibians and reptiles. Biological Conservation, 79, 187–195.
Published source details Galán P. (1997) Colonization of spoil benches of an opencast lignite mine in northwest Spain by amphibians and reptiles. Biological Conservation, 79, 187–195.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Replant vegetation Action Link |
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Restore former mining or energy production sites Action Link |
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Replant vegetation
A replicated, before-and-after, site comparison study in 1988–1994 of spoil benches of a lignite mine in northwest Spain (Galán 1997) found that reseeded benches were colonized by nine amphibian species. Species richness increased steadily with time since seeding. Species composition was most similar to that in control plots in the oldest restored plots (10-years-old). Common midwife toad Alytes obstetricans and Perez's Frog Rana perezi were the first species to colonize, in the second year. Spoil benches (60 ha) were created, planted with a slurry of pasture mix seeds and mulch and were fertilized in 1984–1994. Subsequent management was minimal. Monitoring was undertaken annually on a single 2 ha plot over the six years following seeding and in 1994 on 10 randomly selected 2 ha plots seeded 0–10 years previously. Three randomly selected undisturbed control plots close to the mine were also monitored in 1994. Surveys involved a total of 30 hours of visual searches in February–November.
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Restore former mining or energy production sites
A before-and-after, site comparison study in 1988–1994 of spoil benches of a lignite mine in northwest Spain (Galán 1997) found that reseeded and fertilized spoil benches that had been created were colonized by six reptile species. Species richness increased steadily with time since seeding. Species composition was most similar to that in unmined undisturbed plots in the oldest restored plots (10-years-old). Bocage's wall lizard Podarcis bocagei colonized unvegetated restored plots in the first year and grass snakes Natrix natrix appeared in drainage ditches from the third year. Other reptile species colonized from the fourth year onwards once the scrub layer was well developed. Spoil benches (60 ha) were created, planted with a slurry of pasture mix seeds and mulch and were fertilized in 1984–1994. Subsequent management was minimal. Monitoring was undertaken annually on a single 2 ha plot over the six years following seeding and in 1994 on 10 randomly selected 2 ha plots seeded 0–10 years previously. Three randomly selected, undisturbed plots close to the mine were also monitored in 1994. Surveys involved a total of 30 hours of visual searches in February–November.
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
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