Screening method and application of ecologically stable vegetation in mining areas

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for screening ecologically stable vegetation in a mining area and its application. The method provided by the present invention comprises the following steps: determining a survey scope, laying out sample plots within the determined survey scope; conducting a vegetation survey on the laid out sample plots to obtain vegetation characteristics within the survey scope; collecting vegetation roots and sample soil from the laid out sample plots; tracing the collected plant roots to determine the vegetation root morphology; sequencing the collected sample soil to determine the soil microbial characteristics of the sample soil; and culturing the collected sample soil in the laboratory to determine the soil seed bank; and screening vegetation based on the obtained vegetation characteristics, vegetation root morphology, soil microbial characteristics, and soil seed bank. The screening method of the present invention not only surveys the vegetation in the area, but also combines indoor experiments with field surveys, incorporating plant root development and plant root microorganisms into the method for screening ecologically stable vegetation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for screening ecologically stable vegetation in mining areas and application thereof. Background Art

[0002] Ecosystems have the ability to maintain or restore relative structural and functional stability, primarily through resistance stability and resilience stability. Resistance stability and resilience stability generally have an inverse relationship. Generally speaking, ecosystems with good environmental conditions exhibit higher resilience stability. However, mining ecosystems are more fragile and have lower resilience stability. Appropriate human intervention, such as vegetation selection and planting, should be implemented to enhance the resilience stability of mining ecosystems, thereby achieving healthy and sustainable development.

[0003] Mining areas have a large ecological impact area, creating distinct zones with significant differences in soil quality, vegetation, and soil microorganisms. Existing technologies primarily screen specific vegetation types for artificial planting. The patent, "A Method for Improving Compacted Soil in Open-Pit Mine Spoil Dumps," utilizes a selected forage grass combination to restore the ecological environment of open-pit mine spoil dumps, increasing the number of species within the area and improving the dump's ecological environment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides a method for screening ecologically stable vegetation in mining areas. It not only investigates the types and quantities of vegetation in the area, but also combines indoor experiments with field surveys, and incorporates plant root development and the types and quantities of plant root microorganisms into the method for screening ecologically stable vegetation.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for screening ecologically stable vegetation in mining areas, comprising the following steps:

[0006] S1: Determine the survey scope and arrange sample plots within the survey scope;

[0007] S2: Conduct vegetation survey on the sample plots laid out in step S1 to obtain vegetation characteristics within the survey range;

[0008] S3: collecting vegetation roots and soil from the sample plots laid out in step S1;

[0009] S4: tracing the plant roots collected in step S3 to determine the root morphology of the vegetation;

[0010] S5: Sequencing the soil sample collected in step S3 to determine the soil microbial characteristics of the soil sample; and culturing the soil sample collected in step S3 in the laboratory to determine the soil seed bank;

[0011] S6: Perform vegetation screening based on the vegetation characteristics obtained in step S2, the vegetation root morphology obtained in step S4, and the soil microbial characteristics and soil seed bank obtained in step S5.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in step S1, the survey scope is determined by combining remote sensing satellite images with field surveys.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in step S1, the survey scope is determined by combining a regional distribution map of vegetation NDVI drawn from remote sensing satellite images with a field survey. The purpose of obtaining the regional distribution map of NDVI is to determine the starting point of the radial transect and to draw further radial transects.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in step S1, the step of laying out sample plots includes: setting a radial sample line in the center of the area of ​​the survey range, setting a sample plot layout baseline in a direction perpendicular to the radial sample line, and setting large sample plots on both sides of the intersection of the radial sample line and the sample plot layout baseline and along the direction of the sample plot layout baseline.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the radial sample lines are arranged radially around the center of the area of ​​the survey range, and the angle between two adjacent radial sample lines is 30°-90°.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the number of the radial transects is 4-12.

[0017] According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, the number of the radial sample lines is 8, and the angle between two adjacent radial sample lines is 45°.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, each large sample plot adopts a stepped sampling design of small samples.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the length of the radial transect is 2 km to 5 km. According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, the length of the radial transect is 2 km, 2.5 km, 3 km, 3.5 km, 4 km, 4.5 km, 5 km or any value therebetween.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the length or radiation distance of the radiation sample line is determined by remote sensing images. The determination principle is that the NDVI index and the average value of the NDVI index at the scale of the city where the mining area is located are used as the starting point, and extend outward 2km-5km.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the adjacent intervals of the large samples are 200-1000 m. According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, the adjacent intervals of the large samples can be 200 m, 400 m, 500 m, 600 m, 800 m, 1000 m or any value therebetween.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the area of ​​the large sample is (40-50) m×(40-50) m. According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, the area of ​​the large sample can be 40m×40m, 40m×45m, 45m×40m, 45m×45m, 50m×50m, etc.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the area of ​​the small sample plot is (1-5) m×(1-5) m. According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, the area of ​​the small sample plot can be 1 m×1 m, 2 m×2 m, 3 m×3 m, 4 m×4 m, 5 m×5 m, etc.

[0024] According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, in step S1, the step of laying out the sample plots includes: radiating sample lines in eight directions of east, southeast, south, southwest, west, northwest, north and northeast from the center of the survey area, setting large sample plots along the starting point of the radial sample plots, the area of ​​the large sample plots is 40-50m square, the adjacent large sample plots are spaced 500m apart, and a sample plot arrangement baseline perpendicular to the radial sample line is set at each large sample plot position, and large sample plots are laid out 200-500m on both sides of the radial line; each large sample plot adopts a stepped sampling design of small sample plots, and the area of ​​the small sample plots is 1-5m square.

[0025] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in step S2, the vegetation characteristics include at least one of plant height, diversity, abundance, cover, leaf color value (SPAD) value and leaf photosynthetic rate of vegetation.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in step S3, the area of ​​the soil sample is (25-50) cm×(25-50) cm, and the thickness is 30-40 cm.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in step S3, after collecting the plant roots and sample soil, a mixed matrix of grass, mining-associated soil, and livestock manure is immediately used for landfill. The purpose is to fill and repair the soil vacancies on the original grassland caused by soil collection. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mixed matrix comprises 25-40wt% grass, 35-40wt% mining-associated soil, and 20-40wt% livestock manure.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in step S4, the root morphology of the vegetation is obtained by using a root monitoring system or harvesting the screened plants after they grow to maturity.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in step S5, the sequencing is high-throughput sequencing.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in step S5, the soil microbial characteristics include the types and quantities of bacteria and / or fungi.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in step S5, the laboratory culturing method includes watering the collected soil sample with distilled water at a humidity of 50-60% of its maximum water holding capacity, culturing the sample for 1-3 months, observing the germination of seeds in the soil sample, and determining the soil seed bank. In the present invention, the "soil seed bank" primarily refers to the types of plant seeds included, the purpose of which is to screen and cultivate local native species that can be artificially cultivated, and then use them for landfill reclamation to ensure that native species are used for landfill reclamation.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in step S6, vegetation that is beneficial to ecological stability under different conditions is selected from the ground perspective based on the vegetation characteristics obtained in step S2; plants with string roots, multiple fibrous roots, and wide root distribution are selected based on the vegetation root morphology obtained in step S4; microorganisms that can form a symbiotic relationship with plants are selected based on the soil microbial characteristics obtained in step S5; and native species in the survey area are screened based on the soil seed bank obtained in step S5.

[0033] The second aspect of the present invention provides an application of the method according to the first aspect in restoring or improving the ecological stability of a mining area.

[0034] Compared with the existing technology, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: the present invention first uses remote sensing measurement to determine the scope of the survey, and forms different vegetation, soil, and microbial distribution maps through on-site vegetation, soil, and microbial surveys combined with remote sensing maps. The distribution maps are superimposed to intuitively see the relationship between vegetation, soil, and microorganisms, and accurately screen out vegetation that is conducive to ecological stability under different conditions. It is not only possible to screen the above-ground parts of plants, but also to screen the plant roots by observing the development of the plant root system. Then, soil seed banks and soil microbial high-throughput sequencing experiments are carried out indoors to further screen highly functional plants and plant root microorganisms, forming a vegetation screening method for ecological stability in mining areas from top to bottom and from stem to root. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a large sample plot according to Example 1 of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a small sample plot according to Example 1 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention is described in detail through the following examples, which can enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand the present invention. However, these examples do not constitute any limitation to the scope of the present invention.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] This example uses the spoil dump of the Baorixile open-pit mine as an application object, and screens the ecologically stable vegetation in the mining area through the following steps:

[0040] Step 1: Use remote sensing satellite images to draw a regional distribution map of vegetation NDVI. Through remote sensing image analysis combined with field surveys, it was found that the plant community grows well within a range of 2-4 km around the open-pit mine. Therefore, the 2-4 km area around the mining area was determined as the survey area;

[0041] Step 2: With the open pit as the center, sample lines are radiated in eight directions: east, southeast, south, southwest, west, northwest, north, and northeast. A sample plot layout baseline perpendicular to the radial sample line is set at 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 4 km from the center of each radial sample line. A 50m×50m large sample plot is laid out at the intersection of the radial line and the sample plot layout baseline. Two large sample plots are laid out along the baseline, one on each side of the radial sample line. The large sample plots on both sides are 500m away from the middle radial sample plot. Figure 1 In each large sample plot, a step-by-step sampling method is used to arrange 1m×1m small sample plots, as shown in the figure. Figure 2 As shown;

[0042] Step 3: Investigate plant height, diversity, abundance, cover, SPAD value and leaf photosynthetic rate in the small sample plot;

[0043] Step 4: Collect plant roots and soil from the small plots. Each plot (including rhizosphere soil and soil) measures 40 × 40 cm and is 40 cm thick. Immediately after collection, the soil is supplemented with a mixture of grass, mining-associated soil, and cow dung in a weight ratio of 4:4:2.

[0044] Step 5: trace the plant roots collected in step 4 to determine the root morphology of the vegetation;

[0045] Step 6: The soil sample collected in step 4 is cultured in the laboratory at a temperature of 28°C and an air humidity of 55%. The moisture content is measured every three days to ensure that the soil moisture is maintained at 55% of the maximum moisture content. The seeds in the sample soil are observed for 1-3 months for germination. After the plants grow, the species is determined (i.e., the plant species is determined). That is, the soil seed bank is determined, and seeds that can be artificially cultivated are selected from it and propagated.

[0046] Step 7: Perform high-throughput sequencing on the soil sample collected in step 4 to determine the soil microbial characteristics of the soil sample (including the types and quantities of bacteria and / or fungi);

[0047] Step 8: Based on the vegetation characteristics obtained in Step 3, the root morphology obtained in Step 5, the soil seed bank obtained in Step 6, and the soil microbial characteristics obtained in Step 7, the plants in the survey area are scored and screened. The scoring principle is to count the abundance of germinated plants from the in situ soil culture of the seeds in the soil seed bank. The top 20% of the plants are given a score of 5, those in the 20-40% are given a score of 4, and so on. The same method is used to count the number of root tips and root length of the plants, as well as the number and total number of microorganisms that can form a symbiotic relationship with the plants. The three plants with the highest scores are selected.

[0048] The above method was used to screen out three plants, namely, Leymus chinensis, Cleistogenes and Medicago sativa. The three plants screened out above were planted in bare land that had not been reclaimed in the experimental base (experimental area), and artificially planted Elymus salsa was also planted in another bare land that had not been reclaimed in the experimental base (control area). The results showed that the species diversity in the experimental area reached 25 species, close to the 30 species of the surrounding native grasslands, and significantly higher than the 10 species in the control area. In addition, after no artificial maintenance was carried out in the second year, the species diversity in the experimental area did not change, and the total coverage increased from the initial 30% to 45%, basically reaching the level of the surrounding grasslands, while the control area showed degradation, and the coverage decreased from the initial 50% to 25%. This also further shows that the soil environment improved after planting these three plants, and will not degenerate rapidly after stopping artificial maintenance.

[0049] It should be noted that the embodiments described above are only used to explain the present invention and do not constitute any limitation of the present invention. The present invention has been described with reference to typical embodiments, but it should be understood that the words used therein are descriptive and explanatory words, rather than restrictive words. The present invention may be modified as specified within the scope of the claims of the present invention, and the present invention may be revised without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Although the present invention described therein relates to specific methods, materials and embodiments, it does not mean that the present invention is limited to the specific examples disclosed therein. On the contrary, the present invention can be extended to all other methods and applications with the same function.

Claims

1. A method for screening ecologically stable vegetation in mining areas, comprising the following steps: S1: Determine the survey scope and arrange sample plots within the survey scope; S2: Conduct vegetation survey on the sample plots laid out in step S1 to obtain vegetation characteristics within the survey range; S3: collecting vegetation roots and soil from the sample plots laid out in step S1; S4: tracing the plant roots collected in step S3 to determine the root morphology of the vegetation; S5: Sequencing the soil sample collected in step S3 to determine the soil microbial characteristics of the soil sample; and culturing the soil sample collected in step S3 in the laboratory to determine the soil seed bank; S6: Performing vegetation screening based on the vegetation characteristics obtained in step S2, the vegetation root morphology obtained in step S4, and the soil microbial characteristics and soil seed bank obtained in step S5; In step S1, the step of laying out the sample plots includes: setting a radial sample line at the center of the area within the survey range, setting a sample plot layout reference line in a direction perpendicular to the radial sample line, and setting large sample plots at the intersection of the radial sample line and the sample plot layout reference line and at the end points along the sample plot layout reference line.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In step S1, the survey scope is determined by combining remote sensing satellite images with field surveys.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that In step S1, the survey scope is determined by combining the regional distribution map of vegetation NDVI drawn using remote sensing satellite images with field surveys.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that In step S1, each large sample plot adopts a stepped sampling design to design small sample plots.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The length of the radial sample line is 2km-5km; and / or the adjacent intervals of the large sample plots are 200-1000m; and / or the area of ​​the large sample plot is (40-50)m×(40-50)m; and / or the area of ​​the small sample plot is (1-5)m×(1-5)m.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, characterized in that In step S2, the vegetation characteristics include at least one of plant height, diversity, abundance, coverage, leaf color value and leaf photosynthetic rate of the vegetation.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, characterized in that In step S3, the area of ​​the soil sample is (25-50) cm×(25-50) cm, and the thickness is 30-40 cm.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, characterized in that In step S5, the sequencing is high-throughput sequencing.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, characterized in that In step S5, the soil microbial characteristics include the types and quantities of bacteria and / or fungi.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, characterized in that In step S5, the laboratory culture method includes: watering the collected soil sample with distilled water, maintaining the humidity at 50-60% of the maximum water holding capacity, culturing for 1-3 months, observing the germination status of seeds in the soil sample, and determining the soil seed bank.

11. Use of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in restoring or improving the ecological stability of a mining area.

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