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The study aimed to evaluate the parameters of reproductive traits, specimens’ fertility and reproductive efficiency observed in Betula pendula populations growing at different types of sites (zinc-lead heaps, coal mine heaps and unpolluted site). The leaf biomass and the biometric characteristics of inflorescences and fructifications were identified. Moreover, the biometric parameters of B. pendula seedlings were evaluated for examined sites. Seed-originated trees mostly of age 40 were randomly selected and from each tree, a branches from 1.70 m height and orientation N–S, W–E to the cardinal points of the stem were chosen. In the laboratory, selected soil parameters, the viability of pollen and the seeding value of seeds were analysed. According to the multidimensional statistical analysis the populations of B. pendula growing on post-industrial wastelands represent different morphotypes with lower values of almost all the reproductive traits, compared to the unpolluted birch population. Such traits as the male:female catkin number ratio and the non-embryo seed number were positively correlated with the heavy metal content at the zinc-lead heaps; at the same time these traits were negatively correlated with soil fertility. The fully developed seed number and the mature female catkin number were strongly correlated with the available potassium and phosphorus soil content but also with the leaf number on the generative shoots. The specimens of birch growing in these three habitats did not develop a universal reproductive strategy. Some differences in fecundity, the condition of seeds and the patterns of seed germination were found. The resulting seedling survival is determined by the plasticity of biometric traits, sheltered places for germination, etc. Seedlings that originated from heaps (local gene resources) are more suitable for use in the reclamation of large amounts of waste.

Studies of in situ plant response and adaptation to complex environmental stresses, are crucial for understanding the mechanisms of formation and functioning of ecosystems of anthropogenically transformed habitats. We study short- and long-term responses of photosynthetic apparatus (PSA) and anti-oxidant capacity to complex abiotic stresses of common plants Calamagrostis epigejos and Solidago gigantea in semi-natural (C) and heavy metal contaminated habitats (LZ). We found significant differences in leaf pigment content between both plant species growing on LZ plots and their respective C populations. The average values of leaf chlorophyll indexes were 27% lower in the LZ populations of both species and significantly lower in Sg plants in comparison to Ce ones. The average values of the anthocyanin index in CeLZ and SgLZ populations were significantly higher (by 18%) than in their respective controls. In both Ce and Sg plants occurring on LZ plots, the average leaf flavonol indexes were higher than on their controls by 31% and 15% and this index was significantly higher in SgLZ population than CeLZ and CeC plants (by 34% and 54%, respectively). Both Ce and Sg populations growing on LZ plots showed significantly lower photosynthetic rate ( A ), transpiration rate ( E ) and stomatal conductance ( g s ) in comparison to controls. On the other hand, a significantly higher photosynthetic rate was detected in SgLZ than in CeLZ populations. The catalase activities were significantly higher than recorded in Sg than in Ce tissues, irrespective of the plot type. They were also higher in LZ populations than those in controls for both species. Moreover, the H 2 O 2 content in Sg tissues was significantly higher than those in Ce. Hydrogen peroxide content in CeLZ and SgLZ were respectively 39% (non-significant) and 57% higher, compared to their controls. The reverse pattern was found in the case of MDA, whose concentration was significantly higher in the leaves of Ce population compared to the control population. The average MDA concentration in CeLZ populations was 17% higher than in the CeC. In the case of Sg no significant differences were found. Mechanisms of plant species adaptation to industrial areas are crucial for species selection and planning effective reclamation of them. The analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves as well as well as the results of JIP test revealed the decreased of Fj value despite positive ΔK–band in SgLZ and CeLZ plants suggesting the increased rate of electron transfer from Q A to Q B at the acceptor side of PSII, thus a high quantity of P 680+ and/or effective quenching by exogenous molecules. The increase in the I–P part of the induction curve typically attributed to the reduction of electron transporters (ferredoxin, intermediary acceptors, and NADP) of the PSI acceptor side was observed in both SgC and SgLZ but not in CeLZ populations. These changes demonstrate species-specific effects on electron transport during the light phase of photosynthesis under complex environmental stress. Our results show that Sg and Ce individuals developed a range of structural and functional adaptations to protect PSA against complex environmental stresses (possible combination of heavy metals, water deficiency, temperature, nutrient deficiency and salinity). Both species from LZ plots could tolerate high levels of Cd, Zn and Pb in leaf tissues. Therefore they can be potential candidates for use in phytoremediation of HM contaminated areas. However, further long-term field and experimental research on plant traits response and adaptation to complex environmental stresses on industrial habitats are needed.

In the discussion about sustainable forestry, a key role is played by the development of ecosystem services, including ecological, social, and economic ones, in which biodiversity and carbon (C) sequestration are among the most important. Afforestation of disturbed and post-mining sites is one of the ways to minimize the negative impact of civilization on the environment. Optimizing C sequestration strategies at post-mining sites plays a crucial role in promoting ecosystem recovery, supporting climate change mitigation, and enabling C offsetting. In this study, we compared the C storage in the soil and plant biomass of forest ecosystems developed on coal-mine heaps for different scenarios of reclamation and succession. We tested combinations of sites (i.e., non-reclaimed sites on bare carboniferous rock [BR] and sites reclaimed by applying topsoil [TS]) and successional woodland and tree plantation. The estimated potential for total C storage (in the soil + biomass) for TS sites ranged from 68.13 to 121.08 Mg ha−1, of which 52.20–102.89 Mg ha−1 was stored in the soil and 12.09–20.15 Mg ha−1 in the biomass. In the non-reclaimed sites on BR, the total C storage was much higher, amounting to 523.14 Mg ha−1 (507.66 Mg ha−1 being in the soil), which was due to the geogenic coal content in the BR. However, the C storage in the biomass (15.48 Mg ha−1) and litter (5.91 Mg ha−1) was similar to the amounts obtained from the reclaimed sites. The number of species did not differ statistically significantly between the analyzed variants. On average, 14 species were recorded in the plots. The average Shannon–Wiener index (H’) value was higher for sites with BR (1.99) than TS variants on reclaimed plots (1.71). The lowest H’ value was for those plots with Robinia pseudacacia in the stand. One of the main implications of the obtained results for sustainable forestry is the perspective of using succession in the recovery of a disturbed ecosystem. We noted that woodlands from succession on BR are highly biodiverse, have high C sequestration potential, and do not require time-consuming reclamation treatments.

This paper presents the results of a study on the vegetation of the thermally active postmining heap “Ruda” in Zabrze (Poland). The aims of the study were: (i) to show the differentiation of the vegetation that has developed as a result of the thermal activity, and (ii) to determine the effect of thermal activity of the spoil heap on species richness and species diversity of the vegetation. Twelve plant communities were recorded on the heap. Thermal activity has a statistically significant impact on species richness (Z = 2.13, p = 0.03) and species diversity (Z = 2.29, p = 0.02). The species composition of plant communities reflects the habitat conditions, which are conditioned by thermal activity. As the distance from a zone with increased thermal activity increases, the degree of the spontaneous succession of vegetation and the complexity of the vegetation increase. Moreover, the share of annual species and kenophytes decreases in favor of perennial plants and apophytes. The number of plant communities (from four to eight), their species richness (number of species from 15 to 22) and species diversity (Shannon–Wiener diversity index from 1.81 to 2.19) also increase. A DCA analysis showed an increase in the shading, humidity and pH of the substrate, and the thickness of the dead organic matter within the gradient of the thermal activity.

A study on vascular flora of a Zn–Pb ore spoil heap of the “Orzeł Biały” mining and smelting works in Bytom, Poland, was carried out in the 2017–2018 growing seasons. The aim of this study was to: (i) present the characteristics of current vascular flora that colonizes the Zn–Pb heap, (ii) describe its dynamic tendencies and directions of changes after 15 years, and (iii) identify species that can be useful for planting as a part of biological reclamation. Ninety-two mostly native species of vascular plants, belonging to 36 families and 77 genera, were found on the examined heap. In the spectrum of life forms, hemicryptophytes prevailed over therophytes and geophytes. The most numerous ecological groups were ruderal and meadow species. As regards life strategies, highly competitive species and taxa with mixed CSR strategies dominated. The basic mode of seed dispersal was anemochory. In terms of habitat preferences, species associated with moderately light, warm, fresh, neutral, and medium fertility soil dominated in the species composition of the studied flora. In 2017–2018 compared to the 2002 growing season, statistically significant differences were found in the origin, life forms, ecological groups, life strategies, mode of seed dispersal of species and their habitat preferences relative to light, temperature, pH, and productivity. Frequently recorded pseudometallophytes (Agrostis capillaris, Cardaminopsis arenosa, Daucus carota, Deschampsia caespitosa, Leontodon hispidus, Plantago lanceolata, Silene vulgaris, Rumex acetosa) can be used for planting as part of biological reclamation of the area.

Knowledge about biotic (plant species diversity, biomass) and/or abiotic (physicochemical substrate parameters) factors that determine enzyme activity and functional diversity of the substrate on hard coal spoil heaps is limited. Spontaneously developed vegetation patches dominated by herbaceous species commonly occurring on these spoil heaps: grasses ( Poa compressa, Calamagrostis epigejos ) and forbs ( Daucus carota , Tussilago farfara ), were examined. The activity of dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase was twice as high in plots dominated by grass species compared with those dominated by forbs. Significant positive correlations were found between the activity of dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase with pH, available P, soil moisture, and water holding capacity and negative correlations between the activity of urease and soil organic carbon. Strong positive correlations were found between values for Shannon–Wiener diversity index, evenness, species richness and soil functional diversity in plots dominated by grasses. We found that the soil physicochemical parameters had a greater impact on enzyme activity of the substrate than plant biomass and species diversity. However, grasses, through their extensive root system, more effectively increased enzyme activity and health of the substrate than other herbaceous species, and as they stabilize the substrate and form dense plant cover, they can be recommended for reclamation purposes.

The aim of this study was to understand the acclimatization mechanisms of photosynthetic apparatus in Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P. Beauv grass during its expansion. Twelve populations differentiated by age: young (30-50 years old), intermediate age (ca. 100 y) and old (>300 y) were studied. It was confirmed that the decrease of the number of genotypes as a result of environmental stress and competition were reflected in changes in chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) parameters. The old stands were dominated by a few genotypes which seem to be the best acclimatized to the self-shading/competition by lowering their photosynthetic performance during light-phase of photosynthesis. On the other hand, the 'high-speed' photosynthetic rate observed in the young populations can be seen as acclimatization to very adverse conditions. Our results clearly confirm that ChlF is a powerful method of inferring physiological mechanisms of the expansion of tor grass. The Principal Component and Redundancy Analyses, followed with k-means classification, allowed to find the differentiation of groups of distinct ChlF parameters and enabled us to relate them to changes in genotypic diversity of populations. We conclude that the plastic morphological and physiological response to changeable habitat light conditions with its optimum in half-shade refers to its forest-steppe origin.

In this study we analyzed gaps originated in different seasons of the year vs. places of close vegetation in calcareous grasslands in terms of their suitability for seedling germination and establishment. Gaps, irrespective of the time of their origin, significantly promoted seedling emergence as compared with close swards. However, the season of gap creation influenced the rate of seedling germination/emergence. Seedlings occurred more frequently in autumn and spring gaps than in the summer ones. The highest mean number of seedlings and of their species were noted in autumn openings. However, the subsequent survival of seedlings in autumn gaps was low. On the contrary, in spring gaps juveniles occurred with the significantly highest mean number, frequency and species richness. The above results pointed to the positive, although very limited role of artificially created gaps as places favouring seedlings establishment.

Plant–microbial relations have not yet been fully disclosed in natural or seminatural ecosystems, nor in novel ecosystems developing spontaneously on post-coal mine heaps. The aim of this study was to determine which factor, biotic (plant taxonomic diversity vs. plant functional diversity) or abiotic (physicochemical substrate parameters), affects the biomass of soil microbial communities the most, as well as soil in situ respiration in novel ecosystems. The study was carried out on unreclaimed plots selected according to four different combinations of taxonomic and functional plant diversity. Additionally, plots on a reclaimed heap served as a comparison between the two management types. The biomass of several soil microbial groups was analysed using phospholipid fatty acids profiles. We detected that soil microbial biomass was more impacted by abiotic parameters (explaining 23% of variance) than plant diversity (explaining 12% of variance). Particularly, we observed that substrate pH was the most important factor shaping microbial community biomass, as shown in the RDA analysis. The highest microbial biomass was found in plots with low taxonomic and functional diversity. This finding can be explained by the fact that these plots represented a more advanced phase of vegetation development in the early stages of plant succession.

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in Europe, but the excavation of hard coal has covered large areas with disposed rock waste, and turned the natural habitats into disturbed novel ecosystems with harsh conditions differ in time and space. To examine the spontaneous complex successional gradient, we studied a large number of post coalmine heaps in Upper Silesia, which differ in vegetation type and age. Cluster analysis based on plant community composition (367 species in total) separated all surveyed plots on coal mining spoil heaps with herbaceous vegetation from Late Stage (LS) forests aged 14–56 years. Furthermore, the herbaceous vegetation was sub-grouped to three stages: Initial Stage (IS) aged 2–5 years, Early Stage (ES) aged 3–8 years and Mid-Stage (MS) aged 5–12 years. MS vegetation was characterised by the highest species richness and diversity (47 and 2.79) compared to ES (30 and 2.18) and IS (9 and 1.6), but higher species number and a similar diversity index occurred in LS (37 and 2.81). Functional diversity (FD) and community weighted mean (CWM) of nine functional traits showed higher (23.1) functional richness, higher (0.72) functional divergence, higher (4.5) functional dispersion, and higher value (24.4) of Rao’s quadratic entropy in LS compared to those calculated from the first three stages. Species at the initial successional stage (IS) were characterised by lower canopy height, seed mass, higher lateral spread, and specific leaf area (SLA). Additionally, the lowest (0.22 mg CO 2 per hour per square metre) soil respiration (Sr) rate was recorded from IS compared to (0.53, 0.82 and 1.00) from ES, LS and MS, respectively. The soil water content (SWC) was the most important factor affecting the soil respiration, while the soil temperature (St) did not follow the well-studied relationship between soil respiration and soil temperature. Our spatial and temporal analyses illustrated changes in plant community assembly processes in the course of spontaneous vegetation succession on post coalmine spoil heaps. The importance of trait mediated abiotic filtration in community assembly in initial-, early-, and mid-stages of succession with an increase in competitive exclusion at the late successional stage was emphasized.