Experimental acceleration of primary succession on abandoned tailings: role of surface biological crust

Abstract

Addition of dry local aboveground biomass to the surface of an abandoned tailing suggests the following functions in assisted restoration of ecologically extreme sites: (1) it provides substrate roughness and retention of seeds transported by wind, (2) it protects the rhizosphere abainst extreme heat, drought and salt incrustation.

Keywords

• acceleration of primary succession
• mulching
• abandoned tailings
• surface biological crust
• assisted ecological restoration