Ants as an Indicator of Restoration of Disturbed Areas (on the Example of Coal Industry Dumps, Kuzbass, Russia)

Abstract

In 2010-2019, we studied the restoration capacity of ecosystems formed on the dumps of coal mines and opencast mining complexes of Kuzbass, Russia. Ant communities were used as indicators of restoration. We found that the restoration of ant assemblages occurs due to ubiquist species, which are replaced by species that predominate in natural cenoses. An increase in the proportion of the latter species is an indicator of restoration of disturbed areas. The fastest restoration process is observed for the forest-steppe zone. In recultivated areas, the restoration of the natural species composition was noted by 30 years of formation, but the density of nests is significantly lower than the control. Uncultivated areas begin to restore only by the age of 35-40.