Revegetation prospects on ex-illegal gold mining sites using secondary forest seedling materials

Abstract

Illegal gold mining activities have been increasing over the last 20 years in West Kalimantan, including in Landak district. Illegal gold mining has caused environmental damage that needs to be reclaimed and revegetated. The research goal of this study was to review and explore the prospects of revegetation of the tailing areas of ex-illegal gold mining, using secondary forest seedling materials. Vegetation analysis in secondary forest was used with the line plots methods. Plots were systematically placed in two secondary forest locations (Mandor and Menjalin). In order to understand the species of plants that were relevant for revegetation in the ex-gold mining area, research was conducted by a census of plants in the ex-illegal gold mining area that had a succession. The results showed that in both sites of secondary forest, there was a potential to provide seeds for revegetation. In Mandor secondary forests, ten species of seeds were found, while in Menjalin secondary forests, 18 species of seeds were shown to have good availability (> 1000 seedlings per hectare). Among these plant species, nine species, ubah (Syzygium zeylanicum), laban (Vitex pinnata), bingir (Ploiarium alternifolium), cempedak (Artocarpus heterophyllus), pulai (Alstonia pneumatophora), medang (Cinnamomum porrectum), simpur (Dillenia suffruticosa), karet (Hevea brasiliensis), and jambu-jambuan (Syzygium sp.), were also found in the tailing areas of ex-illegal gold mining that have a succession. This means that the prospect of revegetation in the tailing areas of ex-illegal gold mining using secondary forest seedling materials is very good.