2 Methodology

2.1 Study Area and Identification of Dominant Vegetation

The study was conducted at the Manlailiang mine site, covering 19.2 km2 (Figure 1; 39°26′37″-39°29′55″N, 110°10′11″-110°14′02″E), in the Ordos Plateau, Inner Mongolia, Northwestern China. The climate is classified as a dry arid climate common in middle latitude deserts (Köppen climate classification BWk) (Beck et al., 2018). The average precipitation ranges from 250mm to 450mm, while the average evaporation exceeds 1000mm, resulting in a severe excess of evaporation over precipitation (Liu et al., 2020). The predominant soil type is Aenoslos, lacking in fertility with low water-retention capabilities (Liu et al., 2020). Underground coal mining activities took place in 2011 and resulted in fissure and subsidence damage. Small fissures can be self-filled by the movement of wind-blown sandy soil. For areas with large fissures or severe subsidence, crack filling, terrain reclamation and replanting measures were implemented to ensure vegetation growth.