2015 Mined Land Rehabilitation Conference - Presenters
Paul Frazier
Business Development Manager
Eco Logical Australia
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, University of New England
92 Taylor St
Armidale NSW 2350
T: +61 (2) 8081 2681 │ M: 0403 050 280
E: [email protected] │ W: www.ecoaus.com.au
Paul has over 24 years’ experience in environmental monitoring and assessment. He has a background in physical geography and completed both his Masters and PhD on the use of remote sensing for environmental assessment. Prior to joining Eco Logical Australia he was a Senior Lecturer in Remote Sensing/GIS and Physical Geography at UNE and CSU and had earlier worked in government departments as an environmental remote sensing expert.
Paul has developed and coordinated many large research and consulting projects that include: remote sensing of floodplain wetland inundation patterns; multi-spectral and multi-temporal assessment of vineyard condition and productivity; mapping and assessment of estuarine wetlands; integration of Lidar and multi-spectral information to assess woodland health; evaluating Lidar and image-based products for channel and floodplain assessment; systematic assessment of high-resolution imagery for riparian vegetation assessment.
For the last 10 years Paul’s research and consulting has focussed on the mining industry.
Abstract
Remote sensing options for mine rehabilitation monitoring: what works and what really doesn’t
Mine rehabilitation sites can cover very large areas. Comprehensive field-based monitoring is generally prohibitively expensive. Stratified design can direct field efforts to representative areas and make monitoring meaningful at the site scale. Given that rehabilitation areas generally respond in very short time frames and can vary within treatment zones what are useful stratification units? This presentation demonstrates a number of remote sensing options that may be used to assist with targeted field sampling design and draws on several case studies to demonstrate suitability.
Case studies from Canyon, Tarrawonga and Narrabri Mines (Whitehaven), Ulan Mine (Glencore) and Moorlaben Mine (Yancoal) are used to demonstrate the practical use of high and medium resolution satellite remote sensing and Lidar datasets for integrated rehabilitation monitoring. Repeated studies show that these datasets are useful for site based change detection and are sensitive to variation in vegetative and bare cover proportions. Other condition parameters such as canopy height and projected foliar cover can be extracted from Lidar data. However, field survey is generally still required for species identification and understanding of habitat suitability.
Business Development Manager
Eco Logical Australia
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, University of New England
92 Taylor St
Armidale NSW 2350
T: +61 (2) 8081 2681 │ M: 0403 050 280
E: [email protected] │ W: www.ecoaus.com.au
Paul has over 24 years’ experience in environmental monitoring and assessment. He has a background in physical geography and completed both his Masters and PhD on the use of remote sensing for environmental assessment. Prior to joining Eco Logical Australia he was a Senior Lecturer in Remote Sensing/GIS and Physical Geography at UNE and CSU and had earlier worked in government departments as an environmental remote sensing expert.
Paul has developed and coordinated many large research and consulting projects that include: remote sensing of floodplain wetland inundation patterns; multi-spectral and multi-temporal assessment of vineyard condition and productivity; mapping and assessment of estuarine wetlands; integration of Lidar and multi-spectral information to assess woodland health; evaluating Lidar and image-based products for channel and floodplain assessment; systematic assessment of high-resolution imagery for riparian vegetation assessment.
For the last 10 years Paul’s research and consulting has focussed on the mining industry.
Abstract
Remote sensing options for mine rehabilitation monitoring: what works and what really doesn’t
Mine rehabilitation sites can cover very large areas. Comprehensive field-based monitoring is generally prohibitively expensive. Stratified design can direct field efforts to representative areas and make monitoring meaningful at the site scale. Given that rehabilitation areas generally respond in very short time frames and can vary within treatment zones what are useful stratification units? This presentation demonstrates a number of remote sensing options that may be used to assist with targeted field sampling design and draws on several case studies to demonstrate suitability.
Case studies from Canyon, Tarrawonga and Narrabri Mines (Whitehaven), Ulan Mine (Glencore) and Moorlaben Mine (Yancoal) are used to demonstrate the practical use of high and medium resolution satellite remote sensing and Lidar datasets for integrated rehabilitation monitoring. Repeated studies show that these datasets are useful for site based change detection and are sensitive to variation in vegetative and bare cover proportions. Other condition parameters such as canopy height and projected foliar cover can be extracted from Lidar data. However, field survey is generally still required for species identification and understanding of habitat suitability.
Yvonne Nussbaumer
Research Academic, Centre for Plant Science
The University of Newcastle,
Callaghan NSW 2308, Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0249215575
Yvonne did her PhD examining mine spoil rehabilitation in the Hunter Valley and has been working in this field on a number of mine sites for the last 17 years.
She was Project Manager for the ACARP C12033 project and Co-leader for the Biodiversity Offsets Research Program at the Ravensworth State Forest Revegetation Complex as well as a project conducted with OEH in reconstructing two Ecologically Endangered Communities on cleared public land.
Her research interests are plant nutrition, interactions of plants and microbes and developing effective techniques for re-creating native forest ecosystems on disturbed land.
Abstract
Are rehabilitated forest ecosystems on mine sites resilient against drought?
The use of forest topsoil, inorganic fertilizer, gypsum and biosolids were trialled with the aim of reconstructing sustainable forest ecosystems at Mount Owen coal mine. Part of sustainability is resilience to environmental stresses such as drought. Seven years after setting up the experiment, the site received less than half the long term average annual rainfall, whereas the following year it received an excess of rain. This drought event coincided with the end of the lifespan of a number of Acacia species, resulting in an overall reduction in plant density and species richness for both native and weed species. With the return of rain, species richness increased to earlier levels, indicating that a viable seed bank had become established prior to the drought, which was supplemented with recruited species not previously observed on the site. There was little change in the canopy layer, with most changes occurring in the lower storey species, particularly in the herb layer. This would indicate that the trees were deeply rooted enough to withstand a short period of drought, and that the lower storeys, while more susceptible to water shortage due to shallow root systems, had the capacity to re-establish from the seed bank with the return of rain.
Research Academic, Centre for Plant Science
The University of Newcastle,
Callaghan NSW 2308, Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0249215575
Yvonne did her PhD examining mine spoil rehabilitation in the Hunter Valley and has been working in this field on a number of mine sites for the last 17 years.
She was Project Manager for the ACARP C12033 project and Co-leader for the Biodiversity Offsets Research Program at the Ravensworth State Forest Revegetation Complex as well as a project conducted with OEH in reconstructing two Ecologically Endangered Communities on cleared public land.
Her research interests are plant nutrition, interactions of plants and microbes and developing effective techniques for re-creating native forest ecosystems on disturbed land.
Abstract
Are rehabilitated forest ecosystems on mine sites resilient against drought?
The use of forest topsoil, inorganic fertilizer, gypsum and biosolids were trialled with the aim of reconstructing sustainable forest ecosystems at Mount Owen coal mine. Part of sustainability is resilience to environmental stresses such as drought. Seven years after setting up the experiment, the site received less than half the long term average annual rainfall, whereas the following year it received an excess of rain. This drought event coincided with the end of the lifespan of a number of Acacia species, resulting in an overall reduction in plant density and species richness for both native and weed species. With the return of rain, species richness increased to earlier levels, indicating that a viable seed bank had become established prior to the drought, which was supplemented with recruited species not previously observed on the site. There was little change in the canopy layer, with most changes occurring in the lower storey species, particularly in the herb layer. This would indicate that the trees were deeply rooted enough to withstand a short period of drought, and that the lower storeys, while more susceptible to water shortage due to shallow root systems, had the capacity to re-establish from the seed bank with the return of rain.
Barbara Drigo
Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
The University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus
Locked Bag 1797 | Penrith NSW 2751 | Australia
T +61 (0)2 4570 1098 | F +61 (0)2 4570 1103
e: [email protected] | w: www.uws.edu.au/hie
Dr Barbara Drigo is an Associate Lecturer at Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment.
Her research interests centre on restoration ecology, plant-microbe interactions, microbial ecology, molecular ecology, and climate change within the soil biology and genomics research theme.
Abstract
Improving mine rehabilitation success through phytoremediation management
A central objective of the Australian Government is to ensure a sustainable mineral industry. To achieve this, a key focus of the Australian Government regulatory approach is to promote the implementation of innovative, environmentally sustainable and cost effective mine rehabilitation approaches.
The new Rehabilitation Management Plan (RMP) will require the mining industry to adopt a systematic approach to rehabilitation. This approach needs to be risk-based and scientifically sound, support the use of leading edge solutions, adapt to changing environmental conditions, and integrate the day to day mine planning system.
This is a complex intervention requiring coordinated actions that depend upon setting interdisciplinary goals that are specific to the mining industry and the affected ecosystems. Here, we introduce a new project aiming to produce scientific evidence required to develop and promote a strategy that is environmentally sustainable and socially responsible, leading to improve mine rehabilitation management strategies while providing sustainable ecosystems for Australian regional communities.
Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
The University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus
Locked Bag 1797 | Penrith NSW 2751 | Australia
T +61 (0)2 4570 1098 | F +61 (0)2 4570 1103
e: [email protected] | w: www.uws.edu.au/hie
Dr Barbara Drigo is an Associate Lecturer at Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment.
Her research interests centre on restoration ecology, plant-microbe interactions, microbial ecology, molecular ecology, and climate change within the soil biology and genomics research theme.
Abstract
Improving mine rehabilitation success through phytoremediation management
A central objective of the Australian Government is to ensure a sustainable mineral industry. To achieve this, a key focus of the Australian Government regulatory approach is to promote the implementation of innovative, environmentally sustainable and cost effective mine rehabilitation approaches.
The new Rehabilitation Management Plan (RMP) will require the mining industry to adopt a systematic approach to rehabilitation. This approach needs to be risk-based and scientifically sound, support the use of leading edge solutions, adapt to changing environmental conditions, and integrate the day to day mine planning system.
This is a complex intervention requiring coordinated actions that depend upon setting interdisciplinary goals that are specific to the mining industry and the affected ecosystems. Here, we introduce a new project aiming to produce scientific evidence required to develop and promote a strategy that is environmentally sustainable and socially responsible, leading to improve mine rehabilitation management strategies while providing sustainable ecosystems for Australian regional communities.
Simit Raval
Lecturer, School of Mining Engineering
Research Coordinator, Laboratory for Imaging of the Mining Environment (LIME)
Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices (ACSMP)
Faculty of Engineering, The University of
New South Wales
SYDNEY NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 (2) 9385 5005 │ M: +61 433 663 423
E: [email protected] │ W: www.mining.unsw.edu.au,
www.acsmp.unsw.edu.au
Dr. Simit Raval is a Lecturer in School of Mining Engineering at University of NSW (UNSW). He has over 18 years of professional experience in mining spread across the industry, teaching and research.
Simit leads a research group working in the Laboratory for Imaging of the Mining Environment (LIME) at UNSW. He has developed an innovative interdisciplinary research approach to tackle issues related to sustainable mining. His expertise in mining and remote sensing provide unique research strengths to visualise, identify and monitor the environmental footprints of mining activities - a critical research focus that is attracting much interest from researchers internationally and that the mining industry is currently seeking to peruse.
He has secured research grants and published in the area of monitoring subsidence, rehabilitation, metal contamination, soil salinity and land cover land use changes in mining areas using remote sensing tools.
Abstract
Optical remote sensing for monitoring mine site rehabilitation
Remote sensing methods have been used to evaluate vegetative growth patterns for many applications, though relatively little work has focused on tracking mine reclamation progress. Remotely sensed data are reliable and cost-effective complement to the field-based monitoring methods. This presentation highlights two case studies of mapping reclaimed mine sites using satellite images.
The study conducted at the Ulan Coal Mines Limited (Australia), demonstrates the utility of a high resolution multispectral satellite data in mapping revegetated area. This new concept for monitoring success of a rehabilitation process focuses on the assessment of discrete mine site environments by mapping vegetation health using the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as an indicator. This satellite based approach clearly identifies subtle changes in vegetation composition and health across an otherwise homogenous revegetated surface and proves a valuable addition for mine rehabilitation management.
For coal mines in Central Appalachia (USA), reclamation approaches that include production of biofuel feedstock are increasingly attractive. Satellite-based estimations may offer low-cost alternatives to conventional biomass estimations for ongoing monitoring. The study undertaken at the experimental reclaimed mine sites established in Wise County (VA), evaluates the satellite derived spectral derivatives against ground-based biomass estimates.
Lecturer, School of Mining Engineering
Research Coordinator, Laboratory for Imaging of the Mining Environment (LIME)
Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices (ACSMP)
Faculty of Engineering, The University of
New South Wales
SYDNEY NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 (2) 9385 5005 │ M: +61 433 663 423
E: [email protected] │ W: www.mining.unsw.edu.au,
www.acsmp.unsw.edu.au
Dr. Simit Raval is a Lecturer in School of Mining Engineering at University of NSW (UNSW). He has over 18 years of professional experience in mining spread across the industry, teaching and research.
Simit leads a research group working in the Laboratory for Imaging of the Mining Environment (LIME) at UNSW. He has developed an innovative interdisciplinary research approach to tackle issues related to sustainable mining. His expertise in mining and remote sensing provide unique research strengths to visualise, identify and monitor the environmental footprints of mining activities - a critical research focus that is attracting much interest from researchers internationally and that the mining industry is currently seeking to peruse.
He has secured research grants and published in the area of monitoring subsidence, rehabilitation, metal contamination, soil salinity and land cover land use changes in mining areas using remote sensing tools.
Abstract
Optical remote sensing for monitoring mine site rehabilitation
Remote sensing methods have been used to evaluate vegetative growth patterns for many applications, though relatively little work has focused on tracking mine reclamation progress. Remotely sensed data are reliable and cost-effective complement to the field-based monitoring methods. This presentation highlights two case studies of mapping reclaimed mine sites using satellite images.
The study conducted at the Ulan Coal Mines Limited (Australia), demonstrates the utility of a high resolution multispectral satellite data in mapping revegetated area. This new concept for monitoring success of a rehabilitation process focuses on the assessment of discrete mine site environments by mapping vegetation health using the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as an indicator. This satellite based approach clearly identifies subtle changes in vegetation composition and health across an otherwise homogenous revegetated surface and proves a valuable addition for mine rehabilitation management.
For coal mines in Central Appalachia (USA), reclamation approaches that include production of biofuel feedstock are increasingly attractive. Satellite-based estimations may offer low-cost alternatives to conventional biomass estimations for ongoing monitoring. The study undertaken at the experimental reclaimed mine sites established in Wise County (VA), evaluates the satellite derived spectral derivatives against ground-based biomass estimates.
Mascha Blommerde
PhD Scholar, Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices (ACSMP)
School of Mining Engineering, The University of New South Wales
Sydney NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 (0)2 9385 5612 │ M: +61 (0)451 667 576
E: [email protected]
W: www.acsmp.unsw.edu.au, www.mining.unsw.edu.au
Mascha Blommerde is a PhD scholar in the School of Mining Engineering at the University of New South Wales. Her research, being conducted within the Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices (ACSMP) is on mine closure and rehabilitation, with a focus on the quantification of closure criteria and the evaluation of mine closure success.
Mascha has a background in the environmental sector with a Bachelor of Wildlife Management and Conservation, a Master of Environmental Management and a Master of Environmental Engineering. She has several years of experience in environmental due diligence and compliance auditing, soil and groundwater investigation and waste management in the Netherlands.
Abstract
Assessment of rehabilitation completion criteria to develop a quantitative framework for mine closure evaluation
With an increasing number of new mining projects and the imminent closure of mine sites, the legacy that mined land will leave on the natural environment is a growing concern. In order to minimise the impact of mining on the natural environment, closure rehabilitation legislation and bonds systems have been put into place in New South Wales, Australia. Certain regulatory success criteria (e.g. soil, water, flora and fauna) are set for mine closure plans that mining companies have to abide by so that the bond can be refunded from the local government or State. These different sets of completion criteria are often difficult to quantify and it is therefore challenging for the mining company as well as the regulatory body to consider the mine as successfully rehabilitated and to relinquish the bond.
This presentation highlights the framework of quantifying different rehabilitation success criteria to evaluate success of mine closure. Robust quantification of the completion criteria, if verified, could assist the mining companies as well as the regulatory bodies to achieve best possible outcome. A pilot study is proposed at a rehabilitation site in the Hunter Valley region, NSW to test and verify the developed framework to advance this study.
PhD Scholar, Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices (ACSMP)
School of Mining Engineering, The University of New South Wales
Sydney NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 (0)2 9385 5612 │ M: +61 (0)451 667 576
E: [email protected]
W: www.acsmp.unsw.edu.au, www.mining.unsw.edu.au
Mascha Blommerde is a PhD scholar in the School of Mining Engineering at the University of New South Wales. Her research, being conducted within the Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices (ACSMP) is on mine closure and rehabilitation, with a focus on the quantification of closure criteria and the evaluation of mine closure success.
Mascha has a background in the environmental sector with a Bachelor of Wildlife Management and Conservation, a Master of Environmental Management and a Master of Environmental Engineering. She has several years of experience in environmental due diligence and compliance auditing, soil and groundwater investigation and waste management in the Netherlands.
Abstract
Assessment of rehabilitation completion criteria to develop a quantitative framework for mine closure evaluation
With an increasing number of new mining projects and the imminent closure of mine sites, the legacy that mined land will leave on the natural environment is a growing concern. In order to minimise the impact of mining on the natural environment, closure rehabilitation legislation and bonds systems have been put into place in New South Wales, Australia. Certain regulatory success criteria (e.g. soil, water, flora and fauna) are set for mine closure plans that mining companies have to abide by so that the bond can be refunded from the local government or State. These different sets of completion criteria are often difficult to quantify and it is therefore challenging for the mining company as well as the regulatory body to consider the mine as successfully rehabilitated and to relinquish the bond.
This presentation highlights the framework of quantifying different rehabilitation success criteria to evaluate success of mine closure. Robust quantification of the completion criteria, if verified, could assist the mining companies as well as the regulatory bodies to achieve best possible outcome. A pilot study is proposed at a rehabilitation site in the Hunter Valley region, NSW to test and verify the developed framework to advance this study.
Rob Loch, B.Agr.Sc., B.A., Ph.D., CPSS3
Principal Consultant, Landloch Pty Ltd
P.O. Box 57 HARLAXTON Qld 4350
P: +61 7 4613 1825 Mob: 0419 713 193
Web: www.landloch.com.au │ [email protected]
Dr Rob Loch is a Certified Practising Soil Scientist, with experience in a wide range of soil management and rehabilitation activities both internationally and across Australia, for land uses as diverse as agriculture, forestry, mining, and construction.
He is one of Australia’s most experienced soil erosion research scientists, and has been at the forefront of changes in waste landform design and rehabilitation on Australian minesites. He has also had extensive experience with amelioration and revegetation of disturbed sites, with specific emphasis on soil factors critical for ecosystem establishment. Rob has also been involved with monitoring of ecosystem development over a wide range of environments and with establishment of success/closure criteria.
Abstract
Function and performance targets in ecological rehabilitation
Sustainable ecosystems have a wide range of components which interact to form a functional system. For a developing ecosystem, various components provide essential ecosystem services that, depending on the stage of development, can be critical for achievement of the target ecosystem. Consequently, where essential or important ecosystem services have been identified, rehabilitation works can be structured to either ensure that those services are delivered to a desirable level, or to compensate for a lack of delivery. As well, rehabilitation monitoring can be planned to track the delivery of those services at various stages during ecosystem development.
For this paper, data illustrating impacts of various ecosystem services are drawn from a wide range of studies of minesite rehabilitation across Australia. These enable not only consideration of rehabilitation strategies, but also of targets that can be set to ensure that ecosystem development is not prevented or diminished. This approach can also guide establishment of alternative approaches if such are required.
Principal Consultant, Landloch Pty Ltd
P.O. Box 57 HARLAXTON Qld 4350
P: +61 7 4613 1825 Mob: 0419 713 193
Web: www.landloch.com.au │ [email protected]
Dr Rob Loch is a Certified Practising Soil Scientist, with experience in a wide range of soil management and rehabilitation activities both internationally and across Australia, for land uses as diverse as agriculture, forestry, mining, and construction.
He is one of Australia’s most experienced soil erosion research scientists, and has been at the forefront of changes in waste landform design and rehabilitation on Australian minesites. He has also had extensive experience with amelioration and revegetation of disturbed sites, with specific emphasis on soil factors critical for ecosystem establishment. Rob has also been involved with monitoring of ecosystem development over a wide range of environments and with establishment of success/closure criteria.
Abstract
Function and performance targets in ecological rehabilitation
Sustainable ecosystems have a wide range of components which interact to form a functional system. For a developing ecosystem, various components provide essential ecosystem services that, depending on the stage of development, can be critical for achievement of the target ecosystem. Consequently, where essential or important ecosystem services have been identified, rehabilitation works can be structured to either ensure that those services are delivered to a desirable level, or to compensate for a lack of delivery. As well, rehabilitation monitoring can be planned to track the delivery of those services at various stages during ecosystem development.
For this paper, data illustrating impacts of various ecosystem services are drawn from a wide range of studies of minesite rehabilitation across Australia. These enable not only consideration of rehabilitation strategies, but also of targets that can be set to ensure that ecosystem development is not prevented or diminished. This approach can also guide establishment of alternative approaches if such are required.
Tim Berryman
Principal, Cumberland Plain Seeds P/L
PO Box 201 GLENBROOK NSW 2773
www.cpseeds.com.au
E: [email protected]
M: 0422 480078
Tim Berryman has had the great privilege of translating affection for the Australian bush into a 25-year career to date conserving and restoring native vegetation and ecosystems. Tim’s work has included employment with a community group, Local, State and Commonwealth agencies as well as the establishment of his enterprise Cumberland Plain Seeds P/L (CPS). CPS has been an industry leader in the supply and establishment of Australian native grasses and understorey species since its establishment in 1994. Tim and CPS has supplied seed and advice and undertaken restoration works for a range land managers in SE Australia.
Abstract
Building capability for the supply of local Hunter Valley understorey species for mine rehabilitation
The Central Hunter Grey Box – Ironbark Woodland and Central Hunter Ironbark - Spotted Gum – Grey Box Forest are plant communities supporting a diverse and abundant grassy and herbaceous understorey. Attempting to reconstruct local woodlands, including the understorey, on post-mining land is a very worthwhile endeavour as it is likely to assist in botanical conservation as well as improve ecological function of rehabilitated land. Understorey species including persistent deep-rooted perennial grasses play important roles in regulating overland flow, sub-surface hydrology, soil stability and habitat complexity. Local practitioners, mine managers and regulators attempting to reconstruct this plant community from local seed face significant challenges; including the further development of plant establishment knowledge, agronomy and weed ecology on rehabilitated land as well as capacity building for the supply of the basic building block for this endeavour, seed.
The demand for this service; that is reconstructing local plant communities, and the demand for the products; primarily seed, is driven by often large publically listed companies and their government regulators as well as the expectations of the community. The knowledge and skill base to execute these restoration works in a commercial transaction is often found in small ecological restoration enterprises. Coal and Allied has been working with Cumberland Plain Seeds since the end of 2011 and together we have developed to date an evolving capacity to produce, process, store and sow many tonnes of local, diverse and useful understorey seed for the rehabilitation of their local mines. This is our story so far.
Principal, Cumberland Plain Seeds P/L
PO Box 201 GLENBROOK NSW 2773
www.cpseeds.com.au
E: [email protected]
M: 0422 480078
Tim Berryman has had the great privilege of translating affection for the Australian bush into a 25-year career to date conserving and restoring native vegetation and ecosystems. Tim’s work has included employment with a community group, Local, State and Commonwealth agencies as well as the establishment of his enterprise Cumberland Plain Seeds P/L (CPS). CPS has been an industry leader in the supply and establishment of Australian native grasses and understorey species since its establishment in 1994. Tim and CPS has supplied seed and advice and undertaken restoration works for a range land managers in SE Australia.
Abstract
Building capability for the supply of local Hunter Valley understorey species for mine rehabilitation
The Central Hunter Grey Box – Ironbark Woodland and Central Hunter Ironbark - Spotted Gum – Grey Box Forest are plant communities supporting a diverse and abundant grassy and herbaceous understorey. Attempting to reconstruct local woodlands, including the understorey, on post-mining land is a very worthwhile endeavour as it is likely to assist in botanical conservation as well as improve ecological function of rehabilitated land. Understorey species including persistent deep-rooted perennial grasses play important roles in regulating overland flow, sub-surface hydrology, soil stability and habitat complexity. Local practitioners, mine managers and regulators attempting to reconstruct this plant community from local seed face significant challenges; including the further development of plant establishment knowledge, agronomy and weed ecology on rehabilitated land as well as capacity building for the supply of the basic building block for this endeavour, seed.
The demand for this service; that is reconstructing local plant communities, and the demand for the products; primarily seed, is driven by often large publically listed companies and their government regulators as well as the expectations of the community. The knowledge and skill base to execute these restoration works in a commercial transaction is often found in small ecological restoration enterprises. Coal and Allied has been working with Cumberland Plain Seeds since the end of 2011 and together we have developed to date an evolving capacity to produce, process, store and sow many tonnes of local, diverse and useful understorey seed for the rehabilitation of their local mines. This is our story so far.
Dr Nigel Fisher
Senior Soil Microecologist, Kleinfelder Australia
64 Medcalf Street
Warners Bay, NSW 2282
P: 1300 881 869│P: +61 2 4949 5200│M: 0407 657 583
E: [email protected]
Nigel is a Soil Microecologist with over 10 years experience in mine site rehabilitation through a combination of research and practical experience gained via employment in industry. Nigel’s primary areas of expertise are in the fields of rhizobia-legume interactions, general soil microecology, plant nutrition and mine site rehabilitation. Nigel has broad ecological knowledge and experience in flora and fauna surveys, reporting and project management with particular reference to mining monitoring.
Prior to joining Kleinfelder in 2011, Nigel worked and studied at The Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Restoration, The University of Newcastle as a Research Assistant where his duties included vegetation surveys, soil sampling, student supervision associated with research projects undertaken by the CSER at field sites located in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Further duties included the collection, analysis, identification of rhizobia bacteria and establishment and evaluation of a collection of nitrogen-fixing bacteria for the revegetation of disturbed lands.
Nigel has recently been appointed a Conjoint Fellow at The University of Newcastle allowing access to and collaboration with the Universities facilities and research personnel.
Abstract
Microbial Inoculation and Mine Site Rehabilitation
Mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia bacteria are microbial symbionts of plants, and are vital to re-establishing sustainable phosphorous and nitrogen cycles respectively. Agriculture utilises inocula of these and other soil flora fauna to enhance production and save costs on fertiliser inputs. The uptake for rehabilitation in the mining industry has been slow, in part due to a lack of products that are targeted or suitable for native re-vegetation.
Here we will present a brief description of the role of mycorrhiza fungi and rhizobia bacteria and the benefits they accrue plants. We will then present the results of a small trial testing the efficacy of two commercial inocula on selected species of Eucalypts and native legumes found in the western coalfields and far western Hunter Valley that significantly improved growth. We will then outline a field trial utilising mycorrhizal inoculation currently being conducted in the West Kimberley Region of Western Australia, and then conclude with a brief discussion of commercially available products, that will outline some of the advantages and disadvantages and ways of overcoming these perceived problems.
Senior Soil Microecologist, Kleinfelder Australia
64 Medcalf Street
Warners Bay, NSW 2282
P: 1300 881 869│P: +61 2 4949 5200│M: 0407 657 583
E: [email protected]
Nigel is a Soil Microecologist with over 10 years experience in mine site rehabilitation through a combination of research and practical experience gained via employment in industry. Nigel’s primary areas of expertise are in the fields of rhizobia-legume interactions, general soil microecology, plant nutrition and mine site rehabilitation. Nigel has broad ecological knowledge and experience in flora and fauna surveys, reporting and project management with particular reference to mining monitoring.
Prior to joining Kleinfelder in 2011, Nigel worked and studied at The Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Restoration, The University of Newcastle as a Research Assistant where his duties included vegetation surveys, soil sampling, student supervision associated with research projects undertaken by the CSER at field sites located in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Further duties included the collection, analysis, identification of rhizobia bacteria and establishment and evaluation of a collection of nitrogen-fixing bacteria for the revegetation of disturbed lands.
Nigel has recently been appointed a Conjoint Fellow at The University of Newcastle allowing access to and collaboration with the Universities facilities and research personnel.
Abstract
Microbial Inoculation and Mine Site Rehabilitation
Mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia bacteria are microbial symbionts of plants, and are vital to re-establishing sustainable phosphorous and nitrogen cycles respectively. Agriculture utilises inocula of these and other soil flora fauna to enhance production and save costs on fertiliser inputs. The uptake for rehabilitation in the mining industry has been slow, in part due to a lack of products that are targeted or suitable for native re-vegetation.
Here we will present a brief description of the role of mycorrhiza fungi and rhizobia bacteria and the benefits they accrue plants. We will then present the results of a small trial testing the efficacy of two commercial inocula on selected species of Eucalypts and native legumes found in the western coalfields and far western Hunter Valley that significantly improved growth. We will then outline a field trial utilising mycorrhizal inoculation currently being conducted in the West Kimberley Region of Western Australia, and then conclude with a brief discussion of commercially available products, that will outline some of the advantages and disadvantages and ways of overcoming these perceived problems.
Jo Powells | Agricultural Impact Statement Officer
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Locked Bag 6006
Orange NSW 2800
T: 02 6391 3885 | M: 0429 785 986
E:[email protected]
Jo is an agronomist with a beef cattle and sheep production background. She has been with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) for over 12 years. During this time she has managed two, seven-year pasture grazing trials in Southern NSW and worked with southern tablelands farmers as District Agronomist in Goulburn for 3 years. In her current role as Agricultural Impact Statement (AIS) Officer she coordinates the DPI’s reviews of AIS’s for mining and gas projects and works with the mining industry to improve the agricultural outcomes for rehabilitated mine land.
She is currently involved in the ACARP/ DRE funded project investigating the sustainability and profitability of grazing on rehabilitated mine land (at HVO North and Mt Arthur) in the Upper Hunter and has a strong interest in improving the rehabilitation outcomes of mined land for a post-mining, agricultural land use. She is studying for a Masters of Sustainable Agriculture and remains involved in research investigating the establishment and performance of annual hard-seeded legumes in crop rotations and pasture systems.
Abstract
The sustainability and productivity of grazing on rehabilitated mine land in the Hunter Valley
The NSW Department of Primary Industries is working in collaboration with BHP Billiton, Coal & Allied and the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue to investigate the sustainability and productivity of grazing on rehabilitated mine land at two sites in the Hunter Valley.
The pastures of the paired, rehabilitation and undisturbed native pasture analogue sites are being studied over a period of 3 ½ years for their grazing production and economic viability. The pasture composition, quality, production and groundcover properties are being assessed every 6-12 weeks using the BOTANAL technique. The stability, infiltration and nutrient characteristics of the landform are being assessed annually using Landscape Function Analysis (LFA). The livestock grazing these sites are weighed seasonally to assess their performance with a sub-set providing blood samples before and after grazing to test for potential contaminants.
Baseline pasture and LFA data has already been collected and the livestock performance on the rehabilitated grazing sites is already indicating growth rates of 1.1 kg/head/day compared to 0.9 kg/head/day on the native pasture analogue sites over 118 days between July and November 2014.
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Locked Bag 6006
Orange NSW 2800
T: 02 6391 3885 | M: 0429 785 986
E:[email protected]
Jo is an agronomist with a beef cattle and sheep production background. She has been with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) for over 12 years. During this time she has managed two, seven-year pasture grazing trials in Southern NSW and worked with southern tablelands farmers as District Agronomist in Goulburn for 3 years. In her current role as Agricultural Impact Statement (AIS) Officer she coordinates the DPI’s reviews of AIS’s for mining and gas projects and works with the mining industry to improve the agricultural outcomes for rehabilitated mine land.
She is currently involved in the ACARP/ DRE funded project investigating the sustainability and profitability of grazing on rehabilitated mine land (at HVO North and Mt Arthur) in the Upper Hunter and has a strong interest in improving the rehabilitation outcomes of mined land for a post-mining, agricultural land use. She is studying for a Masters of Sustainable Agriculture and remains involved in research investigating the establishment and performance of annual hard-seeded legumes in crop rotations and pasture systems.
Abstract
The sustainability and productivity of grazing on rehabilitated mine land in the Hunter Valley
The NSW Department of Primary Industries is working in collaboration with BHP Billiton, Coal & Allied and the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue to investigate the sustainability and productivity of grazing on rehabilitated mine land at two sites in the Hunter Valley.
The pastures of the paired, rehabilitation and undisturbed native pasture analogue sites are being studied over a period of 3 ½ years for their grazing production and economic viability. The pasture composition, quality, production and groundcover properties are being assessed every 6-12 weeks using the BOTANAL technique. The stability, infiltration and nutrient characteristics of the landform are being assessed annually using Landscape Function Analysis (LFA). The livestock grazing these sites are weighed seasonally to assess their performance with a sub-set providing blood samples before and after grazing to test for potential contaminants.
Baseline pasture and LFA data has already been collected and the livestock performance on the rehabilitated grazing sites is already indicating growth rates of 1.1 kg/head/day compared to 0.9 kg/head/day on the native pasture analogue sites over 118 days between July and November 2014.
Gabriel Anderson
Great Eastern Ranges Initiative │ Hunter Valley Facilitator, OzGREEN
0420 988 055
02 4032 6443
[email protected]
www.greateasternranges.org.au
www.ozgreen.org
Abstract
Biodiversity Corridors in a post mine landscape? Do we need them? Can we create them?
I argue that we do and we can. Biodiversity in the landscape will be critical in maintaining resilience in the face of increasing threats such as increasing development, climate change and pressure from pest and weed species. Connectivity, not jus corridors, will be critical in supporting a viable post mine landscape with functioning ecosystems and communities both natural and human. The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative (GER), one of the largest conservation partnership projects in the world is bringing people and organisations together to protect, restore and reconnect healthy habitat values along a 3,600 km corridor from western Victoria to far north Queensland. The initiative has been operating in the Hunter Valley for seven years working with government, community and industry to create a shared vision. Many mine sites are already working on creating corridors and connections within and across their individual sites but efforts have been fragmented and disjointed. There is an opportunity now to change this and significantly contribute to a functionally connected post mine landscape that supports biodiversity, people and their communities. It is time to expand on this and look to creating a blueprint for a functionally connected post mine landscape. Currently species distribution modelling, social values mapping, corridors modelling and the Upper Hunter Strategic Assessment are in the final stages of completion. This work combined with the principles and science of connectivity conservation provides a unique opportunity to create a biologically and functionally connected resilient landscape.
Great Eastern Ranges Initiative │ Hunter Valley Facilitator, OzGREEN
0420 988 055
02 4032 6443
[email protected]
www.greateasternranges.org.au
www.ozgreen.org
Abstract
Biodiversity Corridors in a post mine landscape? Do we need them? Can we create them?
I argue that we do and we can. Biodiversity in the landscape will be critical in maintaining resilience in the face of increasing threats such as increasing development, climate change and pressure from pest and weed species. Connectivity, not jus corridors, will be critical in supporting a viable post mine landscape with functioning ecosystems and communities both natural and human. The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative (GER), one of the largest conservation partnership projects in the world is bringing people and organisations together to protect, restore and reconnect healthy habitat values along a 3,600 km corridor from western Victoria to far north Queensland. The initiative has been operating in the Hunter Valley for seven years working with government, community and industry to create a shared vision. Many mine sites are already working on creating corridors and connections within and across their individual sites but efforts have been fragmented and disjointed. There is an opportunity now to change this and significantly contribute to a functionally connected post mine landscape that supports biodiversity, people and their communities. It is time to expand on this and look to creating a blueprint for a functionally connected post mine landscape. Currently species distribution modelling, social values mapping, corridors modelling and the Upper Hunter Strategic Assessment are in the final stages of completion. This work combined with the principles and science of connectivity conservation provides a unique opportunity to create a biologically and functionally connected resilient landscape.
Mallory Barnes │ Honours graduate, Kings Park Biodiversity Conservation Centre
The University of Western Australia
The Australian National University
Biodiversity Conservation Centre, Fraser Avenue, Kings Park WA 6005
T: (08) 9480 3600 │ M: 0410 971 890
E: [email protected]
W: http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park
Mallory Barnes is a recent graduate from the Australian National University’s Research School of Biology. He completed his honours at the University of Western Australia and Kings Park Biodiversity Conservation Centre in Perth. His project was a part of BHP Billiton’s Restoration Seed Bank Project, which aims to improve restoration outcomes in arid ecosystems. Mallory was trying to establish the hydraulic thresholds that limit the establishment of keystone arid grass species.
Abstract
Seedling transition phases define drought susceptibility in a semi-arid grass, Triodia pungens
Ecosystem restoration in arid environments is limited by our understanding of seedling physiological thresholds to drought and how this varies at different demographic phases after emergence. Research has focused greatly on germination and emergence thresholds of arid species, and although successful passage through seedling stages is essential to final plant community recruitment, few studies have focused on this early seedling recruitment phase. Triodia comprise framework arid genus that dominate much of the Australian arid and semi-arid interior. It is therefore a key genus in the restoration of arid environments. We established a glasshouse experiment where Triodia pungens were grown to different seedling developmental stages, exposed to drought and assessed for changes in photosynthetic gas exchange and soil water potential during soil dry-back. These physiological responses were then related to morphological and leaf anatomical changes and used to explain the recruitment potential of seedlings at different developmental stages. There was a substantial phase shift in leaf anatomical features associated with water conservation at advanced developmental stages (12- and 20-leaf stage). This corresponded with a greater physiological capacity to rapidly down-regulate assimilation to avoid drought as well as the development of morphological features that conserved water, provided structural protection and promoted slower growth. At juvenile developmental stages (2- and 6-leaf stage) plants had a lower capacity to rapidly down regulate assimilation and therefor avoid drought. These early leaf stage plants had anatomical and morphological features promoting rapid growth at the expense of protective tissue. Rapid physiological adjustment was the key feature determining drought performance. Early leaf stage plants recovered assimilation faster upon the cessation of drought. This study demonstrated that although mature adult Triodia plants are highly robust in drought prone environments, they are physiologically very vulnerable to drought and for an extended period during the early stages of seedling establishment. This indicates that Triodia recruitment is most likely linked to exceptional or prolonged rainfall events.
The University of Western Australia
The Australian National University
Biodiversity Conservation Centre, Fraser Avenue, Kings Park WA 6005
T: (08) 9480 3600 │ M: 0410 971 890
E: [email protected]
W: http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park
Mallory Barnes is a recent graduate from the Australian National University’s Research School of Biology. He completed his honours at the University of Western Australia and Kings Park Biodiversity Conservation Centre in Perth. His project was a part of BHP Billiton’s Restoration Seed Bank Project, which aims to improve restoration outcomes in arid ecosystems. Mallory was trying to establish the hydraulic thresholds that limit the establishment of keystone arid grass species.
Abstract
Seedling transition phases define drought susceptibility in a semi-arid grass, Triodia pungens
Ecosystem restoration in arid environments is limited by our understanding of seedling physiological thresholds to drought and how this varies at different demographic phases after emergence. Research has focused greatly on germination and emergence thresholds of arid species, and although successful passage through seedling stages is essential to final plant community recruitment, few studies have focused on this early seedling recruitment phase. Triodia comprise framework arid genus that dominate much of the Australian arid and semi-arid interior. It is therefore a key genus in the restoration of arid environments. We established a glasshouse experiment where Triodia pungens were grown to different seedling developmental stages, exposed to drought and assessed for changes in photosynthetic gas exchange and soil water potential during soil dry-back. These physiological responses were then related to morphological and leaf anatomical changes and used to explain the recruitment potential of seedlings at different developmental stages. There was a substantial phase shift in leaf anatomical features associated with water conservation at advanced developmental stages (12- and 20-leaf stage). This corresponded with a greater physiological capacity to rapidly down-regulate assimilation to avoid drought as well as the development of morphological features that conserved water, provided structural protection and promoted slower growth. At juvenile developmental stages (2- and 6-leaf stage) plants had a lower capacity to rapidly down regulate assimilation and therefor avoid drought. These early leaf stage plants had anatomical and morphological features promoting rapid growth at the expense of protective tissue. Rapid physiological adjustment was the key feature determining drought performance. Early leaf stage plants recovered assimilation faster upon the cessation of drought. This study demonstrated that although mature adult Triodia plants are highly robust in drought prone environments, they are physiologically very vulnerable to drought and for an extended period during the early stages of seedling establishment. This indicates that Triodia recruitment is most likely linked to exceptional or prolonged rainfall events.
Andy Markham
Hydrobiology Pty Ltd
27/43 Lang Pde Auchenflower QLD 4066
PO Box 2151 Toowong QLD 4066
p +61 7 3721 0100 | f +61 7 3721 0151
www.hydrobiology.biz
Dr Andy Markham is a Fluvial Geomorphologist and Surface Water Hydrologist. He is an accredited Chartered Environmental Scientist (M.AusIMM (CP)) and Chartered Geographer (Cgeog, Royal Geographical Society). He has a PhD in fluvial geomorphology from London University, > 25 years experience and has worked on consulting assignments worldwide. His particular areas of expertise relate to links between catchment and river geomorphology, hydrology and sediment processes with a particular focus on the processes of sediment movements through catchments.
Abstract
Assessment of the Efficacy of Rehabilitation that was undertaken at the closure of the Rum Jungle mine in the late 1980s.
Hydrobiology was commissioned by the Northern Territory Government Department of Mines and Energy to undertake a study of the environmental values downstream of the former Rum Jungle Mine (mined in the 1950s-1970s then rehabilitated during the 1980s). The receiving environment includes the East Branch of the Finniss River and Finniss River proper which are dynamic in terms of flow and sediment processes, the key elements of which include monsoonal/season rainfall, high rates of sediment delivery from an eroding mine landscape, a sand-bearing geology and high groundwater connectivity. The rainfall record showed that the region had become wetter over recent decades and this, combined with climate change and the proliferation of Gamba grass, indicated that rates of erosion and sediment transport had probably increased and are likely to increase further in the future with particular implication for large stores of sand observed in the East Branch during the field trip.
Water and sediment quality on the mine site have been relatively well studied and it is well established that the rehabilitation of the mine site in the 1980s greatly improved the quality of discharges downstream and reduced contaminant loads delivered to the East Branch per annum by factors of three to seven. Nonetheless, water quality in the East Branch was still above levels that could cause environmental impact as late as the 2000s, and sediments along the East Branch have contaminant concentrations above the ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) sediment quality guidelines. However, there has been no reporting of the trends in continuing water quality monitoring data since reviews in the mid-2000s.
In terms of aquatic ecosystems, notable studies were undertaken during the 1990s that documented the status and recovery of water quality and aquatic organisms following commencement of rehabilitation in 1983, but there have been few studies that have included reference to riparian vegetation either during baseline, mine life or the post rehabilitation period, making quantitative impact assessment difficult although massive dieback is known to have occurred. Despite ecological recovery in the East Branch, elements of the ecosystem remain highly impacted although condition was better in the Finniss River. A range of terrestrial fauna species, including threatened species, have been recorded in the area. Downstream, the Finniss River flows through the Finniss River Coastal Floodplain Site of Conservation Significance, that supports a number of listed threatened species.
The monitoring program (three rounds completed to date: wet and two dry seasons) focuses on water quality, aquatic biota, aquatic and riparian tetrapoda (vertebrates other than fishes), channel processes, and riparian vegetation and aquatic macrophytes with bush food monitoring components across the biological subprograms. A three-stage impact assessment is currently being drafted.
Reporting and review is an important consideration with regard to the program in order to measure ecosystem response to progressive rehabilitation (undertaken by DME) and, ideally, enable the extent of the program to be reduced in the future as ecosystem conditions improve post remediation.
Hydrobiology Pty Ltd
27/43 Lang Pde Auchenflower QLD 4066
PO Box 2151 Toowong QLD 4066
p +61 7 3721 0100 | f +61 7 3721 0151
www.hydrobiology.biz
Dr Andy Markham is a Fluvial Geomorphologist and Surface Water Hydrologist. He is an accredited Chartered Environmental Scientist (M.AusIMM (CP)) and Chartered Geographer (Cgeog, Royal Geographical Society). He has a PhD in fluvial geomorphology from London University, > 25 years experience and has worked on consulting assignments worldwide. His particular areas of expertise relate to links between catchment and river geomorphology, hydrology and sediment processes with a particular focus on the processes of sediment movements through catchments.
Abstract
Assessment of the Efficacy of Rehabilitation that was undertaken at the closure of the Rum Jungle mine in the late 1980s.
Hydrobiology was commissioned by the Northern Territory Government Department of Mines and Energy to undertake a study of the environmental values downstream of the former Rum Jungle Mine (mined in the 1950s-1970s then rehabilitated during the 1980s). The receiving environment includes the East Branch of the Finniss River and Finniss River proper which are dynamic in terms of flow and sediment processes, the key elements of which include monsoonal/season rainfall, high rates of sediment delivery from an eroding mine landscape, a sand-bearing geology and high groundwater connectivity. The rainfall record showed that the region had become wetter over recent decades and this, combined with climate change and the proliferation of Gamba grass, indicated that rates of erosion and sediment transport had probably increased and are likely to increase further in the future with particular implication for large stores of sand observed in the East Branch during the field trip.
Water and sediment quality on the mine site have been relatively well studied and it is well established that the rehabilitation of the mine site in the 1980s greatly improved the quality of discharges downstream and reduced contaminant loads delivered to the East Branch per annum by factors of three to seven. Nonetheless, water quality in the East Branch was still above levels that could cause environmental impact as late as the 2000s, and sediments along the East Branch have contaminant concentrations above the ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) sediment quality guidelines. However, there has been no reporting of the trends in continuing water quality monitoring data since reviews in the mid-2000s.
In terms of aquatic ecosystems, notable studies were undertaken during the 1990s that documented the status and recovery of water quality and aquatic organisms following commencement of rehabilitation in 1983, but there have been few studies that have included reference to riparian vegetation either during baseline, mine life or the post rehabilitation period, making quantitative impact assessment difficult although massive dieback is known to have occurred. Despite ecological recovery in the East Branch, elements of the ecosystem remain highly impacted although condition was better in the Finniss River. A range of terrestrial fauna species, including threatened species, have been recorded in the area. Downstream, the Finniss River flows through the Finniss River Coastal Floodplain Site of Conservation Significance, that supports a number of listed threatened species.
The monitoring program (three rounds completed to date: wet and two dry seasons) focuses on water quality, aquatic biota, aquatic and riparian tetrapoda (vertebrates other than fishes), channel processes, and riparian vegetation and aquatic macrophytes with bush food monitoring components across the biological subprograms. A three-stage impact assessment is currently being drafted.
Reporting and review is an important consideration with regard to the program in order to measure ecosystem response to progressive rehabilitation (undertaken by DME) and, ideally, enable the extent of the program to be reduced in the future as ecosystem conditions improve post remediation.