Soil microbial community function and structure as assessment criteria for the rehabilitation of coal discard sites in South Africa
Year: 2003
Type: dissertation
Abstract: INTRODUCTION1.The importance of microorganisms in ecosystem processes 2. Problem statement Summary the characterisation of microbial community structure by analysis of phospholipid fatty acids; and the multifactorial analysis of the data obtained can be used as complementary assessment criteria for the evaluation of the trend of rehabilitation of mine tailings and discard sites.Strategic management criteria are recommended based on the soil qualitylenvironmental sustainability indices to facilitate the establishment of selfsustainable vegetation covers.The contribution of this research to soil ecology is significant with regards to the intensive investigation and explanation of characteristics and processes that drive ecological rehabilitation and determine the quality of the soil environment.The multidisciplinary approach that is proposed could, furthermore, assist in the successful rehabilitation and establishment of self-sustaining vegetation covers at industrially disturbed areas, as well as assist in improving degraded soil quality associated with both intensive and informal agriculture.Additionally, this approach could negate the negative social and environmental impacts frequently associated with these activities.
Author: Sarina Claassens
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1833821747