Restoration ecology of post-industrial sites

The course deals with reclamation concept and treatments on post-mining sites with special issue of biological reclamation and restoration ecology

The main aim of course is to understand reclamation of post-industrial site concept and treatments, biological reclamation, dynamic of newly formed ecosystems; post-industrial landscape management, criterions of reclamation success assessment; some issues of ecological engineering and restoration ecology of post-industrial sites.

Reclamation – introduction, definition, background,

Post-mining areas’ balance, landscape recovery,

Reclamation treatments, examples of reclamation strategies depending of climate, geology and economy - transcontinental review.

Post-mining ecosystem dynamic– concepts and management: forest ecosystem development on post-mining sites, soil forming process and plant succession, mine soils classification, criterion for reclamation assessment, ecosystem productivity, nutrient cycling

Risks assessment on post-mining sites, acid mine drainage, technical and biological methods for stabilization of extreme polluted and eroded post-industrial sites

Workshop: discussion on reclamation and post-industrial areas’ matter, strategies for reclamation exemplified by selected post-mining sites;

One day field visit on reclaimed post-mining sites: landscape management of mine sites, reclamation treatments, forest management on reclaimed post-mining sites, sustainability development of post-mining sites; practical mine soil morphology and vegetation description

Final evaluation of experiences and conclusions - case study presentation

Barnhisel R. I., Darmody R. G., Daniels W. L., (ed.). 2000. Reclamation of drastically disturbed lands. Number 41 in the series Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin USA Publishers

Pietrzykowski M. 2015. Reclamation and reconstruction of terrestrial ecosystems on mine sites - ecological effectiveness assessment. (Chapter 5), in: J.N. Govil et al. (ed.), Series: Energy Science and Technology, Coal Energy (Volume 2), Studium Press LLC, New Delhi, Houston, USA, p. 121-151. (available on-line at: http://wl.ur.krakow.pl/zasoby/3/chapter_Pietrzykowski2014.pdf)

Selected scientific papers (supplied by lecturer):

oral exam 731

essay/report 711