Compost as a means for the ecological succession in an area affected by opencast mining in the La Vega river basin, Tunja, Boyaca

Abstract

The application of compost to promote ecological succession in an area affected by opencast mining in the La Vega river basin was studied. Three treatment concentrations were established in plots of 25 m2 in a completely randomized experimental design, using sterile deposit and compost in the following ratios; T1: 8:1; T2: 4:1; T3: 2:1 and a control (T4, no compost). The bio-diversification in every plot was evaluated during a nine month period. Shannon, Simpson and Species Richness diversity indices were calculated. Repeated measurements of the principle components using ANOVA comparing the treatment to the control were analyzed. Fifteen species were recorded, five of them in Asteraceae. The variance analysis showed that there were no significant differences (p=0.24) regarding coverage. With respect to height (p=0.0001), T3 showed the best response in terms of a higher species richness and diversity when compared with the other treatments or the control.

Keywords

• cobertura vegetal, ecología de la restauración, enmienda orgánica, restauración de ecosistemas.