Floristic features of the Kostanay iron ore dump flora

Abstract

This study investigates the floristic composition of the plant community established on the Kostanay iron ore dump, a man-made habitat resulting from long-term industrial activity. We aim to identify plant species that have successfully colonized this edaphically and chemically stressful environment and analyze their adaptations to the specific conditions. A comprehensive vegetation survey across three iron ore deposits (Sokolovo, Sarbai, and Kachar) dump sites documented a total of 284 plant species. This flora encompasses representatives from 163 genera distributed among 44 families. Notably, the iron ore dump flora exhibits a 37.6% degree of synanthropization, indicative of moderate anthropogenic transformation. This level of transformation is characterized by the dominance of synanthropic species adapted to thrive in human-disturbed habitats, potentially including species capable of tolerating elevated levels of salts, metals and other contaminants.