Mining Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia:

S. P. Mesyats, Leading Researcher, mesyats@goi.kolasc.net.ru
M. Yu. Novozhilova, Researcher
N. S. Rumyantseva, Leading Technologist
E. Yu. Volkova, Leading Technologist

The increase of disturbed lands of mining landscapes decreases their ability to self-restoration. Therefore, reclamation of disturbed lands is focusing on “ecological restoration” – restoration of the ecological integrity of natural landscapes to maintain a stable state of the biosphere. The scientific substantiation of the natural ecosystems restoration in accordance with the principle of their self-organization has been carried out. It is shown that the formation of a biologically active environment as a result of creating sown gramineous phytocenosis without applying a topsoil layer during restoration of disturbed lands, in accordance with a concept of natural soil formation, provides for the rapid accumulation of organic substances and the formation of a detected biogenic-humus-accumulative layer. The material-energy potential accumulated by the ecosystem determines the duration of the succession stages. The increase in species diversity during the succession of the sown phytocenosis results in a significant increase in its bioproductivity due to the large implantation of local species. The revealed succession change and orientation of soil-forming processes reflect the tendency of the sown phytocenosis to balance with the surrounding natural landscape. The genetic characteristic of the forming soils, along with the geobotanical description of the phytocenosis of the forest stage of succession, indicates the formation of a phytocenosis with the structure of the surrounding natural landscape, ensuring the restoration of the ecological capacity of the landscape, increase in biodiversity and, ultimately, the restoration of natural ecosystems.
The authors thank PhD in Biology Natalia Koroleva (N. A. Avrorin Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute) for the assistance in carrying out geobotanical studies.

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