Search Results (10)

Surface subsidence caused by coal mining activities generates diverse wetland ecosystems. These newly formed wetlands exhibit distinct environmental characteristics due to variations in subsidence age, resulting in divergent biological communities. While species adapt to environmental changes through specific functional trait combinations, the response of aquatic community functional diversity to environmental gradients across chronosequences of mining subsidence wetlands remains unclear. This study investigated 13 coal mining subsidence wetlands (1–18 years) of macrozoobenthos in Jining, China. Through seasonal monitoring, we analyzed functional traits along with taxonomic and functional diversity patterns. Initial-stage wetlands were dominated by medium-sized (63.9%) and tegument-respiring taxa, whereas late-stage wetlands exhibited a shift toward large-sized (43.9%) and gill-respiring groups. Both species richness and functional richness declined over time, with taxonomic diversity demonstrating greater sensitivity to subsidence age. Seasonal community variability was more pronounced in initial-stage wetlands (1–4 years post-subsidence). Despite increasing habitat heterogeneity with subsidence age, functional redundancy maintains ecosystem stability. The shared origin and developmental trajectory of these wetlands may constrain functional divergence. Current research predominantly relies on traditional taxonomic metrics, whereas our findings emphasize functional trait analysis’s importance for ecosystem assessment, which provides a theoretical framework for ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation in post-subsidence wetlands. Full article

The increasing development of coal mining subsidence wetland parks has led to a growing focus on assessing their ecological, economic, and social benefits following ecological restoration. This study establishes an assessment framework for the social landscape performance of coal mining subsidence wetland parks based on the landscape performance series (LPS), cultural ecosystem services (CES), and the unique characteristics of coal mining subsidence wetland parks. The framework integrates expert opinions and field research to select indicators, resulting in a comprehensive evaluation system comprising 28 indicators across five dimensions. Taking the Pan’an Lake National Wetland Park (PLNWP) in Xuzhou, China, as an example, we conducted empirical research by collecting data through questionnaires and on-site interviews. Using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, the social landscape performance score of PLNWP was 3.511, which is rated as “good.” The importance–performance analysis (IPA) was applied to identify differences in the perceptions of visitors and local residents regarding the social landscape performance of the PLNWP. Local residents highlighted the need to enhance the amenity of waterside spaces, while visitors focused on the accessibility. Finally, based on the performance score and the perceptions from different stakeholders, optimization strategies were proposed in four aspects: enhancing waterside space amenity, optimizing accessibility, improving educational facilities, and addressing diverse user needs. This study could provide a feasible assessment framework and optimization guidance for other coal mining subsidence wetland parks. Full article

Coal mining in the eastern Huaihe Plain has led to land degradation and hydrological disturbances, transforming terrestrial ecosystems into a complex of terrestrial and aquatic systems. These changes significantly impact regional ecological processes, structure, and functions. Hence, assessing the health condition and restoring the degraded subsidence wetlands efficiently have become urgent issues in coal resource-based cities. This research developed an ecosystem health assessment model for mining subsidence wetlands using the Driving Force–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework, with a focus on the subsidence wetlands of Yingshang County, Anhui Province. The assessment findings indicated that the wetland ecosystem was in a sub-healthy condition, with a health score of 0.51. Specific scores for the subsystems “Driving Force”, “Pressure”, and “State” were 0.584, 0.690, and 0.537, respectively, indicating that these subsystems were categorized as healthy, very healthy, and sub-healthy. In contrast, the scores for the “Impact” and “Response” subsystems were 0.076 and 0.093, both falling within the very poor (V) status. Weight analysis of the indicators revealed that the regional development index (Cp1), mining subsidence disturbance intensity (Cp2), aggregation index (Cs3), diversity index (Cs4), and wetland conservation rate (Cr1) significantly affected wetland ecosystem health. Taking into account both the health assessment results and the specific environmental conditions of the study area, this research recommends restoration strategies and the preservation of wetland ecosystems. The findings from this study can provide a basis for governmental bodies to create specific strategies and policies aimed at the conservation and management of subsidence wetlands. Full article

The degradation and loss of natural wetlands has caused severe crises for wetland taxa. Meanwhile, constructed wetlands are expanding significantly and facing dramatic environmental changes. Exploring the responses of wetland organisms, particularly zooplankton, may have important implications for the management of wetlands. Environmental and zooplankton samples were collected from 34 subsidence wetlands created by underground coal mining across the North China Plain in August 2021. We used generalized linear models and redundancy analysis to test zooplankton responses to environmental variables, with the relative importance quantified by variation partitioning. We identified 91 species, divided into 7 functional groups, with the highest density of rotifer filter feeders (RF, 2243.4 ± 499.4 ind./L). Zooplankton species richness was negatively correlated with electrical conductivity (EC), chlorophyll-a, total phosphorus, and pH. The Shannon–Weiner and Pielou evenness indices were positively correlated with transparency and negatively correlated with the photovoltaic panel area (AS). Rotifer predators (RCs) and RF densities were positively correlated with cropland area and dissolved oxygen, but negatively correlated with AS. Small crustacean filter feeders positively correlated with AS, whereas medium crustacean feeders (MCFs) positively correlated with EC. AS was the most critical variable affecting the zooplankton community. Our study showed that the spatial pattern of zooplankton communities was shaped by environmental heterogeneity across the subsidence wetlands, providing implications for the management and conservation of these constructed wetlands. Full article

The eastern region of the Huang-Huai area is vital for China’s coal production, with high water table mining causing significant surface subsidence and the formation of interconnected coal mining subsidence wetlands. Restoring these wetlands is crucial for biodiversity, environmental quality, and sustainable development. Aquatic vegetation plays a crucial role in wetland ecosystems, underscoring its importance in restoration efforts. Understanding and managing water level fluctuations is essential due to their impact on vegetation. This study examines the Qianshiliying coal mining subsidence wetland in the Yanzhou Mining Area, China, with the goal of devising a water level regulation plan based on the minimum ecological water level to improve the growth and recovery of aquatic vegetation. The research delves into landscape ecological restoration techniques for aquatic vegetation in coal mining subsidence wetlands in the eastern Huang-Huai region, emphasizing the importance of water level management. The results reveal that the minimum ecological water level in the Qianshiliying coal mining subsidence wetland is 32.50 m, and an area of 78.09 hectares is suitable for the reconstruction of aquatic vegetation. This paper utilizes lake morphology, minimum biological space, and water level demand methods for aquatic plants in the landscape to promote restoration of coal mining subsidence wetlands. A notable strength of this approach is its ability to quantitatively predict the survival range and area of aquatic vegetation in these wetlands, enabling a more scientifically informed restoration of ecological balance and promoting landscape ecological restoration in the eastern Huang-Huai region. Full article

It is crucial for effectively controlling potentially toxic element (PTE) pollution to understand the pollution situation, ecological risks, health risks, and migration patterns of PTEs. However, currently, no research has been conducted on the migration patterns of soil PTEs from coal mining subsidence areas to waterlogged areas under different restoration modes. In this study, a total of 15 sediment samples and 60 soil samples were collected from landscaped wetlands, aquaculture wetland, fish–photovoltaic complementary wetland, photovoltaic wetland, and waterlogged areas with untreated coal mining subsidence. The PTE pollution status, ecological risks, health risks, migration patterns, and the important factors influencing the migration were analyzed. The results indicated that the comprehensive pollution level of PTEs in waterlogged areas with coal mining subsidence can be reduced by developing them into landscaped wetlands, aquaculture wetlands, fish–photovoltaic complementary wetlands, and photovoltaic wetlands. Additionally, the closer to the waterlogged area, the higher the Cu content in the subsidence area soil is, reaching its peak in the waterlogged area. The Cd was influenced positively by SOC and pH. The research results were of great significance for formulating reclamation plans for waterlogged areas and controlling PTE pollution. Full article

Coal mining subsidence wetlands, as important supplementary resources for wetlands, are of great significance for regulating climate change. This study investigated the distribution and influencing factors of carbon in the overlying water and sediment of coal mining subsidence wetlands in Xuzhou, China, during low-water, high-water, and dry seasons. The results revealed significant spatial and temporal variations in the physicochemical properties of the wetlands, with water hypoxia and a trend toward eutrophication due to excess nitrogen and phosphorus. Dissolved organic carbon (WDOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (WDIC) in water exhibited opposite temporal trends, while sediment organic carbon (SOC) and dissolved organic carbon (SDOC) showed similar temporal and spatial variations. Inorganic carbon in sediment (SIC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (SDIC) showed consistent temporal changes but significant spatial differences. There was a significant positive correlation between WDOC and SDOC, and WDIC was positively correlated with SDOC and SDIC, indicating the interconnection and transformation of dissolved carbon between water and sediment. WDIC was strongly correlated with water temperature and dissolved oxygen, while WDOC was weakly correlated with the physicochemical properties of water. Overall, these findings contribute to our understanding of the carbon distribution and cycling in coal mining subsidence wetlands, which are crucial supplementary resources to natural wetlands for regulating climate change. Full article

The purpose of this study is to provide a clearer idea for the optimization of wetland functional areas and a new method for the identification and analysis of wetland functional areas under the background of the latest Wetland Protection Law in China. This study selected Pan’an Lake Wetland, the first national wetland park built in coal mining subsidence land in China, as the research object. By constructing a “Water-water-landscape-function” (WLF) model, combined with landscape pattern index and Nemerov pollution index method (NPI), the differences in water quality and landscape structure of different functional areas were analyzed. Then, Pearson’s Correlation Analysis and Redundancy Analysis are combined to quantitatively analyze the correlation between water quality environment and landscape structure. Finally, Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) was introduced to help study the spatial difference in water quality in different functional areas. This study lasted for one year. Twelve water quality sampling points were set up, and 216 effective samples were collected monthly for one year. The results showed that: (1) the ratio of built-up land and cultivated land area had a high impact on water quality indicators in each water period, especially the increase in cultivated land patch density would increase the risk of TN and TP losing to surrounding water bodies; (2) the lakes and rivers in the wetland park have good ecological effects and should be widely used in various functional areas; (3) the degree of landscape fragmentation was negatively correlated with the overall water quality, while the degree of landscape agglomeration and landscape diversity were positively correlated with the overall water quality; (4) ecological corridors should be established between WCA and WRA, artificial corridors should be established between MEA and LEA, and ecological interception should be set between MEA and WRA; and (5) the “Water-quality-landscape-function” (WLF) model is an effective tool for the analysis and optimization of wetland functional areas, which provides a reference for the new round of wetland planning in China. Full article

Heavy metals accumulate in high water table coal mining subsidence ponds, resulting in heavy metal enrichment and destruction of the ecological environment. In this study, subsidence ponds with different resource reutilization methods were used as study subjects, and non-remediated subsidence ponds were collectively used as the control region to analyze the heavy metal distributions in water bodies, sediment, and vegetation. The results revealed the arsenic content in the water bodies slightly exceeded Class III of China’s Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water. The lead content in water inlet vegetation of the control region and the Anguo wetland severely exceeded limits. Pearson’s correlation, PCA, and HCA analysis results indicated that the heavy metals at the study site could be divided into two categories: Category 1 is the most prevalent in aquaculture pond B and mainly originate from aquaculture. Category 2 predominates in control region D and mainly originates from atmospheric deposition, coal mining, and leaching. In general, the degree of heavy metal contamination in the Anguo wetland, aquaculture pond, and fishery–solar hybrid project regions is lower than that in the control region. Therefore, these models should be considered during resource reutilization of subsidence ponds based on the actual conditions. Full article

The soil organic carbon (SOC) pool in farmland is changing rapidly due to human activities, thereby greatly affecting the regional and global environment, as well as influencing soil fertility and crop yields. The present study investigated the effects of underground coal mining on the regional SOC pool in farmland in the Jiuli Mining Area of Xuzhou City in China as a typical coal mining region based on field sampling, chemical analysis, model construction, and spatial analysis using the software of ArcGIS. The results showed that in the mining subsidence area, spatial variations in the SOC content and soil bulk density were mainly caused by structural factors (mining subsidence, subsidence waterlogging, and other structural factors due to coal mining) at a regional scale. SOC storage in farmland soil decreased sharply in non-waterlogged subsidence farmland and seasonally waterlogged subsidence farmland in the areas with mining, whereas the SOC storage increased in waterlogged wetland after coal mining. The SOC was reduced by 102,882 tonnes (32.81%) compared with the original SOC stock as a consequence of coal mining, and thus the effect of underground coal mining on the regional SOC pool in farmland was characterized as a carbon loss process. Land-use changes, soil degradation and erosion contributed almost equally to the carbon loss process in the study area. The results of this study may facilitate evaluations of low-carbon land reclamation and ecological compensation in mining areas. Full article