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›› 2017, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (5): 551-557.DOI: 10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2017.05.004

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Plant species diversity in bauxite residue disposal areas

HAN Fusong, WANG Cheng, XUE Shengguo, HUANG Nan, YE Yuzhen   

  1. School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
  • Received:2017-01-24 Revised:2017-05-19 Online:2017-09-15

Abstract: Bauxite residue is an alkaline waste by-product generated in the extraction of alumina from bauxite.Due to large volume and inherent environmental risk,the disposal of bauxite residue has become a major concern for sustainable development of the aluminum industry.Bauxite residue poses numerous physical and chemical limitations to plant establishment in disposal areas.Based on the on-the-spot investigation in bauxite residue disposal areas (BRDAs),the important values and indices of plant species evenness and diversity were calculated.A total of 25 species were found naturally colonized in BRDAs.These species belong to 10 families and 22 genera,among which 14 species were annual.Gramineae and Compositae accounted for 52%of the total species.The plant community in BRDAs showed low species diversity and simple structures.The dominant types of plant community were Chloris virgata Sw.-Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers community and Corispermum declinatum Steph ex Stev-Setaria viridis (L.)Beauv community.C.dactylon is a dominant species in some BRDAs which grows rapidly and has saline-alkaline tolerance,wide distribution,and a broad ecological amplitude.This species has potential in the revegetation of BRDAs.

Key words: bauxite residue disposal area, tolerant plant, dominant species, diversity index, ecological restoration

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