The requirement and implications of evidence-based restoration schemes in the United Kingdom

Humphries, Richard

doi:10.36487/acg_rep/1352_29_humphries

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 6 publications

(12 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In selecting a methodology and sampling regime, the key decision to make is whether their metrics will be useable and reliable. At the Selar site, having completed 5 years of aftercare, the aim was to be able to argue on an evidence-basis (Humphries, 2000 and2013) whether the rehabilitated land was "reasonably fit for beneficial and sustainable agricultural use" as set out by the Welsh Government (2010, paragraph 61).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Case Study: Appraisal of Four Soil-Based Metrics in the Establishment of Sustainable Upland Grassland at a Mine Site in South Wales, United Kingdom

Humphries¹,

Thompson²,

Heames³

2019

JASMR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the United Kingdom, rehabilitated mineral workings are subject to a statutory minimum 5-year period of aftercare management to ensure that the rehabilitated land is of a 'standard' that enables the intended after-use to be "beneficial and sustainable." Aftercare begins on the completion of overburden backfilling, placement of soils, and the required sowing/planting. The current devolved Welsh Government guidance acknowledges that specific standards are difficult to define, so there is reliance on certain management activities having been undertaken, rather than specifying the outcome of evaluative methods. We appraise the application of four soil-based metrics (comprising the description of soil profile physical characteristics, grassland soil physical condition, soil fertiliser requirement, and a measurement of soil health) under operational circumstances at a rehabilitated mine site in South Wales. Here, the aim is to establish a sustainable upland acidic grassland ecosystem and to facilitate release of monies from the financial bond. It is concluded that evaluation of the upland grassland is more realistically and reliably based on determining the physical characteristics of the soil profile than the other three metrics deployed; although there is merit in the use of a more rapid visual assessment method for soil physical condition (VESS) for screening purposes and/or for increasing site coverage at a lower cost, as well as the determination of levels of organic matter and nitrogen mineralisation. The use of the soil profile characteristics metric enabled the planning authority to release the rehabilitated land from the financial bond.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Case Study: Appraisal of Four Soil-Based Metrics in the Establishment of Sustainable Upland Grassland at a Mine Site in South Wales, United Kingdom

Humphries¹,

Thompson²,

Heames³

2019

JASMR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Case Study: Some Lessons From the Early Development of Native Forest Rehabilitation at Three Surface Mine Complexes in Australia

Humphries¹

2016

JASMR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:The rehabilitation of forest and other woody vegetation ecosystems on mineral extraction sites is common place and a major post-mining land use throughout Australia. Owing to the need for government certification (under Australian Government and State legislation) for mine closure, monitoring of the establishing forests or other woody ecosystems is typically undertaken using agreed completion criteria which are predictive of rehabilitation future achievement. The collation and review of the monitoring results for the early development of the rehabilitated forests at three surface mines provide an opportunity to identify key processes and practices that might be used to enhance the achievements in Australia and elsewhere. The monitoring results for two rehabilitation schemes in subtropical Queensland (mineral sand and coal) and one in Western Australia (bauxite) were examined. Whilst it is evident that woody vegetation comprising several native tree and shrub species can be readily established, the resulting vegetation communities in the early development of the forest vegetation can be notably different in their composition and structure to the target and/or locally occurring native types. It is concluded that forest structural formation in combination with species composition, are of importance in establishing the predicted trajectory of the developing forest type, ecosystem, functioning, and sustainability. Species composition is likely to influence initial forest structure and the need for intervention practices, such as thinning, that may be required to achieve the necessary structural formation and ultimately the targeted native forest types. The principles established are likely to universally apply irrespective of the mineral and climatic types examined.

show abstract

The requirement and implications of evidence-based restoration schemes in the United Kingdom

Cited by 2 publications

References 6 publications

Case Study: Appraisal of Four Soil-Based Metrics in the Establishment of Sustainable Upland Grassland at a Mine Site in South Wales, United Kingdom

Case Study: Appraisal of Four Soil-Based Metrics in the Establishment of Sustainable Upland Grassland at a Mine Site in South Wales, United Kingdom

Case Study: Some Lessons From the Early Development of Native Forest Rehabilitation at Three Surface Mine Complexes in Australia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About