Functions of microarthropods in reclaimed mines spoil: A case study of Kathara Coalfield area of Jharkhand, India

Abstract

Reclaimed mines spoil (RMS) is the byproduct of open-cast mining and an ecological footprint under twin stresses namely, anthropogenic and natural. The present paper measures the stresses in reclaimed coal mine spoils and has two sections – the first dealing with the experiments and their results, while the second section derives an ecological model from the experiment. An experiment was carried out (experimental years, 2006 – 2008) in reclaimed coal mine spoils (RMS) of Jharkhand. Four RMSs of different chrono sequences of plantations on the overburden dumps (OBD) were considered for the study. Data on soil arthropods along with other physical parameters were collected from a 1meter x 1meter grid of quadrate periodically. It was observed that the Shannon diversity index of younger RMS was higher than the 15- and 30-year-old RMS. Old age sites and forests had a higher Diversity Index. Simpson’s index was 0.0877, 0.889, 0.869, and 0.887 in four RMS sites, and 0.885, and 0.917 in the forest. Organisms in degraded systems are initially rudrals – create a functional system and establish as K-select species. It was observed that the system has stresses – homeostatic processes that keep a system in its original state, and other forces – resilience pulls them out of the status quo but in reclaimed mine spoils an additional force anthropogenic activities work synergistically with the forces of resilience that push the system towards non-equilibrium, which is critical for succession and ecesis. Based on findings and functional stresses in the system an ecological model was developed for ecesis that is operative in the system.