Author 1:

Name & Surname: Goleusov P. V.

Company: Belgorod State University (Belgorod, Russia)

Work Position: Assistant Professor

Scientific Degree: Candidate of Geographical Sciences

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

Author 2:

Name & Surname: Lisetsky F. N.

Company: Belgorod State University (Belgorod, Russia)

Work Position: Professor

Scientific Degree: Doctor of Geographical Sciences

The article discusses the studies into the natural formation of soil and vegetation cover in post-mining areas of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA). A new soil-and-vegetation cover is a consequence of self-organization of eco-systems (renaturation); it contributes to stable state of mining-disturbed surfaces, to carbon fixation and growth of biological productivity. Surface phytomass of grass groups approaches the zonal level in 30–40 years. Naturally formed embryo soil in dumps forms humus layer to 100 mm thick in a few decades and performs key eco-functions of soil. Soil formation rate largely depends on lithological composition of man-made substrates and can reach 2 mm/yr under favorable conditions. High self-restoration potential of forest–steppe eco-systems can be utilized in renaturation of dumps in KMA. The authors suggest approaches to renaturation of post-mining geosystems.

The research was carried out under financial support of the government assignment given to higher education institutions of the RF Ministry of Education in the field of scientific work and under the grant for research in the priority trends of the social-and-economic development of the Belgorod Region (Agreement No. G-03 dated Nov 11, 2013).

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