Author 1:

Name & Surname: Kornilov A. G.

Company: Belgorod State University (Belgorod, Russia)

Work Position: Head of Chair of Geography and Geoecology

Scientific Degree: Professor, Doctor of Geographical Sciences

Contacts: e-mail: kornilov@bsu.edu.ru

Author 2:

Name & Surname: Petin A. N.

Company: Belgorod State University (Belgorod, Russia)

Work Position: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Mining and Natural Management

Scientific Degree: Professor, Doctor of Geographical Sciences

Author 3:

Name & Surname: Drozdova E. A.

Company: Belgorod State University (Belgorod, Russia)

Work Position: Senior Lecturer

Scientific Degree: Candidate of Geographical Sciences

It is typical of mines located in the Belgorod Region that chalk rocks prevail in loose overburden dumps, which conditions specific character of the regional exogenic processes. At the end of a 4–15 years period, initial slopes of dumps naturally reduce, and the degree of such transformation depends on the dump location, behavior of ground and intensity of epibioses. Chalk-composed slopes keep maximum slopes characterized by the least degree of self-maintaining vegetation. Self-maintaining vegetation on slopes is of mosaic character as a consequence of free alternation of areas with different aero- and hydrological regimes in top rock layer and different-activity exogenic geological processes, and, accordingly, the areas more or less favorable for seeding and growth of plants. Out of a wide list of reclamation trends for dumps in the KMA area, of current interest are the nature orientation and public health. It is thought that reclamation of dumps is only expedient and economically sound at the third steady-state stage of life of non-equilibrium dump slopes (Emlin et al. 1984). However, this is only valid for reclamation activity in the areas aimed for intensive practical use. The duration of period of reaching the steady-state defines ecological implications of the extended life of non-reclaimed dumps. It is suggested to carry out biological and sanitary rehabilitation straight away as a next dump layer is formed. It is advised to form forest-and meadow assemblages by combination of “controlled vegetation self-maintenance” approaches and treeplanting on horizontal belts with more or less regular introduction of local plant species in order to generate quasi-natural eco-systems and partly countervail mining impact on the adjacent landscape.

The research is carried out under the government assignment of the RF Ministry of Science and Education, Project No. 185.

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