A Comprehensive Evaluation of Land Reclamation Effectiveness in Mining Areas: An Integrated Assessment of Soil, Vegetation, and Ecological Conditions

Abstract

Land reclamation is crucial for restoring ecosystems in mining areas, improving land use efficiency, and promoting sustainable regional development. Traditional single-indicator assessments fail to capture the full complexity of reclamation, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive evaluation approach. This study combines field-measured and remote sensing data to develop multiple evaluation indices, creating a comprehensive framework to assess reclamation effectiveness. A soil quality index based on the Minimum Data Set (SQIMDS) was developed to analyze spatial variations in soil quality, efficiently capturing key soil attributes. Remote sensing data were used to calculate the Dump Reclamation Disturbance Index (DRDI) and the Enhanced Coal Dust Index (ECDI) to evaluate vegetation recovery and ecological improvements. The Comprehensive Evaluation Quality Index (CEQI) was introduced, synthesizing soil, vegetation, and ecological conditions for a holistic assessment. Key findings include significant soil quality improvement over time, with MDS effectively capturing variations; vegetation recovery increased with reclamation duration, though regional disparities were observed; ecological conditions steadily improved, as evidenced by a decline in ECDI values and reduced contamination; and the CEQI reflected overall improvements in reclamation effectiveness. This study offers a practical framework for coal mining land reclamation, providing scientific support for decision-making and guiding effective reclamation strategies for ecological restoration and sustainable land management.