Implementation of Conservation through the Use of Native Tree Species for Enrichment Planting in Revegetated Post-Coal Mining Sites

Abstract

The low diversity of vegetation on revegetated post-coal mining sites presents an ecological problem that can restrict forest structure and biodiversity recovery. Native tree species were evaluated for enrichment planting using social, economic, ecological and field-survival criteria in five-year-old revegetation plots with roughly 70%–80% canopy cover. Initially, ten native species were screened and planted in field trials. The revised four-class screening framework classified Anisoptera marginata as High, whereas Aleurites moluccana, Alstonia scholaris, Aquilaria malaccensis, Ficus benjamina, Shorea balangeran, Anthocephalus cadamba, and Syzygium sp. were Moderate, and Combretocarpus rotundatus and Melaleuca cajuputi were Low. Field survival exceeded 50% for A. malaccensis, F. benjamina, A. scholaris, A. marginata, A. moluccana, and A. cadamba. A. marginata was selected as the major recommended species, since it coupled a High preliminary screening class with adequate field survival. The remaining surviving species were kept as conditional candidates, whereas species with reduced survival were interpreted in connection to the studied microsite circumstances and probable silvicultural restrictions. The sensitivity analysis indicated that the restriction of the advice was greater with an increase in the survival criterion. These results highlight the need to use both feasibility screening and field confirmation, rather than just one of them. The recommendations are particular to the partially shaded reclamation settings that were evaluated and require further validation across contrasting microsites and with longer monitoring periods.