Plants that had been established in nurseries having undergone a period of
‘‘hardening-off’’ during which they had been exposed to full, direct sunlight under
a reduced watering regime, were then ready to be planted out in the experimental
plots (Fig. 13.5). Seedlings or cuttings were planted at a density of five plants per
square meter. The allocation of pioneer, framework, woodlot, and exotic species
was done on a random basis, the plots established according to the details in
Table 13.2.
13.2.1.3 Discussion
Although this project is still in progress, and the results of the experimental work
are not yet available, the importance of the experimental strategy is presented,
whereby:
1. The details of the aims of the rehabilitation program first need to be established
2. The feasibility of the proposed aims needs to be assessed
3. The interests of the local people and other IAPs needs to be tested
4. Experimental trials need to then be established to see whether a large scale
program of this type can be established
Detailed planning, assessment, and trials and monitoring are too rarely carried
out when mining is proposed. The process should become the norm rather than the
exception.
Table 13.2 Arrangement of Plots, Plot Numbers and other details in the Toliara Sands Rehabilitation Trials on the Pilot Plant sites
The plots arranged as follows: Pit
location
Plot Numbers Pit dimensions E/W,
N/S
Number of
plots
Pilot Plant Pit 1
Plot 1 – Plot
25
16 m x 17 m
5 x 5 = 25
Pilot Plant Pit 2
Plot 26 – 74 21m x 22m
7 x 7 = 49
Pilot Plant Pit 3
Plot 75 – 86 9m x 14.6m
3 x 4 = 12
Pilot Plant Pit 4
Plot 87 – 104 16m x 20m
3 x 6 = 18
Pilot Plant Pit 5
Plot 105 – 176 28m x 26m
9 x 8 = 72
Western/Ranobe Site Pit
Plot 177 – 182 5.7m x 19m
1 x 6 = 6
Western/Ranobe Site Control
Plot 183 - 200 Approx.10m x 19m
3 x 6 = 18
Northern/Tsifanoka Site Pit
Plot 201 – 212 22.5m x 12m
4 x 3 = 12
Total mined plots
212
Total control plots
212
13 Restoration of Dune Ecosystems Following Mining in Madagascar and Namibia
207
‘‘hardening-off’’ during which they had been exposed to full, direct sunlight under
a reduced watering regime, were then ready to be planted out in the experimental
plots (Fig. 13.5). Seedlings or cuttings were planted at a density of five plants per
square meter. The allocation of pioneer, framework, woodlot, and exotic species
was done on a random basis, the plots established according to the details in
Table 13.2.
13.2.1.3 Discussion
Although this project is still in progress, and the results of the experimental work
are not yet available, the importance of the experimental strategy is presented,
whereby:
1. The details of the aims of the rehabilitation program first need to be established
2. The feasibility of the proposed aims needs to be assessed
3. The interests of the local people and other IAPs needs to be tested
4. Experimental trials need to then be established to see whether a large scale
program of this type can be established
Detailed planning, assessment, and trials and monitoring are too rarely carried
out when mining is proposed. The process should become the norm rather than the
exception.
Table 13.2 Arrangement of Plots, Plot Numbers and other details in the Toliara Sands Rehabilitation Trials on the Pilot Plant sites
The plots arranged as follows: Pit
location
Plot Numbers Pit dimensions E/W,
N/S
Number of
plots
Pilot Plant Pit 1
Plot 1 – Plot
25
16 m x 17 m
5 x 5 = 25
Pilot Plant Pit 2
Plot 26 – 74 21m x 22m
7 x 7 = 49
Pilot Plant Pit 3
Plot 75 – 86 9m x 14.6m
3 x 4 = 12
Pilot Plant Pit 4
Plot 87 – 104 16m x 20m
3 x 6 = 18
Pilot Plant Pit 5
Plot 105 – 176 28m x 26m
9 x 8 = 72
Western/Ranobe Site Pit
Plot 177 – 182 5.7m x 19m
1 x 6 = 6
Western/Ranobe Site Control
Plot 183 - 200 Approx.10m x 19m
3 x 6 = 18
Northern/Tsifanoka Site Pit
Plot 201 – 212 22.5m x 12m
4 x 3 = 12
Total mined plots
212
Total control plots
212
13 Restoration of Dune Ecosystems Following Mining in Madagascar and Namibia
207