Optimizing Mine Land Revegetation: Combining Native and Non‐Native Species for Rapid Biomass Accumulation and Soil Cover

Abstract

One challenge of revegetating mined areas is establishing vegetation that quickly promotes soil cover and accumulates biomass. This work compared biomass production and vegetation cover between a Non‐native cocktail (8 noninvasive exotic species) and a Native cocktail (12 species native to the National Forest of Carajás, Brazil) to guide species selection for revegetation. Ex situ and in situ tests were conducted in the Carajás Mineral Province. During the ex situ phase, the growth of both cocktails was evaluated in four substrates from different waste piles. In the in situ phase, the Native, Non‐native, and Native + Non‐native cocktails were sown on the base of a cut slope, with soil vegetation cover evaluated every 2 months for 8 months. Non‐native cocktail produced more biomass (ex situ) and had greater growth and competitive vigor during the first 2 months of revegetation (in situ). Due to the delayed growth of some native species, the initial differences between cocktails disappear over time. Thus, combining native and non‐native species is recommended to achieve rapid biomass incorporation by non‐native species at the beginning of revegetation, followed by an enrichment or replacement by native species. This approach meets the legal requirements to reduce the application of non‐native species to the minimum while achieving quick soil coverage.