The Effect of Thermal Activity of Colliery Waste Heap on Vegetation Development

In the paper the effect of thermal activity of colliery spoil heap on plant species diversity is presented. Basic physical and chemical properties of the spoil do not differ significantly from that type of objects. The spoil consists of coarse and acidic material. Thermal processes inside the colliery heap lead to rise in temperature of the surface and have negative effect on vegetation development. Along with temperature increase diminish of stand volume, height reduction and morphological deformations of trees are observed. The variation of plant species composition also takes place. The most tolerant tree species to increased temperature of the surface are common birch, false acacia and black cherry while the dominant herbaceous species is tufted hair grass. Trees and shrubs are more influenced by thermal activity of the heap then the herbaceous vegetation, what can be explained by deeper root system of trees. Because of high temperature and toxic gases emission the top of the heap is bare. For complete reclamation of the heap it is essential to inhibit burning process