Function of vegetation in new landscape units after brown coal mining

Abstract

The functions of vegetation cover in a landscape disturbed by opencast mining in West Bohemia were investigated. The aim of the restoration strategy was to achieve a functional landscape. We defined the functions of the landscape in terms of solar energy flow and ways of utilising it in the water cycle and flow of matter, which are inseparably interconnected. Vegetation plays an important role in effective dissipation of solar energy and is very important for the function of the ecosystem. The results show the positive efficiency of particular vegetation cover types in new landscape units, and their importance for restoring the short water cycle. Quite rapid functional stabilisation of permanent grass covers, including rapid development of their species diversity, appears to be a significant outcome.

Keywords:

• restoration
• succession
• vegetation
• temperature distribution

Acknowledgements

This study has been supported by the research plan of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic (MSM 6007665806 and NPV2 2B08006), by a Czech Science Foundation project (GACR No105/05/2040) and by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic project QH 82106.