Establishment of woody species across 26 years of revegetation on a Queensland coal mine

• DOI: 10.1111/emr.12243
• Publication Date: 2017-01-17T19:22:34Z
• Authors: Victor J. Neldner; Michael R. Ngugi
• Keywords: Revegetation; Topsoil; Understory; Acacia mearnsii

Summary The establishment success of woody plant species at 56 revegetation sites, four to 26 years old, across the Meandu open‐cut coal mine in south‐east Queensland was assessed. process involved returning stockpiled topsoil, deep ripping and mechanical sowing a mix native seeds. Blakes Wattle ( Acacia blakei ) less often Black A. leiocalyx ), both primarily derived from respread topsoil seed, dominate vegetation canopy 59% 20% respectively. additional seeds many tree shrub within sites has had limited with most failing persist or grow well. Revegetation management, for example selective thinning acacias spp.) saplings first 5 is recommended release competition pressure on poorly performing species. This will also allow opportunities other well represented herb persist. study shown that range species, including Eucalyptus spp., are under current regime, suggesting adjustments selection and/or methodologies needed. natural colonization nearby remnant be only therefore unlikely significantly supplement diversity revegetation.