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.