Journal of Rangeland

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Environmental pollution arising from the mining activities may impose severe problems in natural ecosystems such as rangelands. Systematic random sampling method was used to collect vegetation characteristics data based on plant life forms and vegetation status. Vegetation characteristics data were collected using 2 m² plots placed along 50 m transects in three different zones including near (0-200 m), middle (200 to 500 m) and far zone (500 to 1000 m) from mine. The results indicated that the production of range plants decreased from 35.85 gr/m² in far zone to 11.06 gr/m² in near zone. The canopy cover of perennial species decreased from 19.4% in near zone to 7.35% in far zone. The plant density was also decreased from 22 individuals per a square meters in far zone to 6 in near zone. The production, canopy cover and density of shrubs and perennial grasses in areas with more than 500 m from mine was higher than areas closer to mine significantly. Results revealed that Simpson and Shannon diversity indices were decreased from 0.7 and 1.73 in far zone to 0.49 and 1.03 in near zone respectively. According to the results, the impacts of Bauxite mine on vegetation characteristics are more sever up to the 500 meters from the mine. The negative impacts of mining on vegetation should be considered in hazard assessment projects.
 

Keywords: Mining, rangelands, species diversity, life form, vegetation cover

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