LANDFORM AND LAND RESTORATION

Mineral extraction - types

• Coal: deep mined• Coal: open cast/open pit/strip mine• Oil shale• Fullers earth• Brick clay• Ironstone• China clay• Sand and gravel• Hard rock

Mineral extraction - issues

• Drainage• Compaction• Pollution of ground

water• Acidity/alkalinity• Lack of nutrients• Fire• Slope stability

• Landform shape• Continuous erosion• Use of holes for

landfill• Lack of soil cover

Landform design

• Shape– To reflect natural landforms?– To create new expressive forms?– To leave what the engineers dumping process

has created?

Landform design

• Consider:– Climate– Drainage– Future use– Access– Planting potential– Land base avalable for spreading or

reshaping– Slope stability and angle of repose

Planting

• Consider:– Soil or soil-forming materials available– Compaction reduction– Drainage/drought management– Nutrients– Suitability for tree species– Other plant species

Compaction

• Consider:– Reducing compaction if already present– Avoidance of creating compaction during

operations– Loose tipping of soil forming materials

Planting medium

• Consider:– Depth of material needed for different plants

or uses– Availability of other material

• Subsoil from excavations• Dredging from harbours• Demolition rubble

– Use the concept of soil forming material ratherthan soil and kick start the soil formingprocess

Planting medium

• Consider:– Nutrients available in the soil forming material– Incorporate nutrients:

• Compost• Treated sewage sludge• Untreated sewage• Other organic waste• Nitrogen fixing vegetation (legumes)

Design process

• Consider:– Setting and context– Potential uses– Health and safety issues– Degree to which landform can be modified– Microclimate issues– Soil and rooting depths available– Amelioration potential