Effects of stone mining on woody plant species diversity and selected soil properties in northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background Stone mining is one of the main livelihood activities in areas close to major cities in Ethiopia. Mining tends to make a notable impact on woody plant species and soil properties. Information regarding the effect of stone mining on woody plant species diversity and soil properties is limited in Ethiopia. It is also less known how people perceive the impact of stone mining on existing natural resource in the watershed after mining. Therefore, this paper analyzed the effect of stone mining on woody plant species diversity, selected soil properties and perception of nearby community on mining in northern Ethiopia. Methods Vegetation and soil sampling were conducted using 6.32 ha sample plots. Samples were randomly selected from mining and adjacent unmined areas. Species abundance, density, basal area, selected soil physical and chemical properties were analyzed. The differences in species diversity and soil physical and chemical properties between the mined and unmined areas were analyzed using independent t test. Household survey was also conducted to assess the view of the local people regarding the effect of mining on ecology. Results A total of 35 species representing 19 families in the mining site were recorded while 43 species representing 27 families were recorded in the unmined site. Abundance and density of species were higher in unmined than in mining areas. The most abundant species in the mining and unmined sites were Euclea racemosa subsp. schimperi, Senna singueana, Maytenus arbutifolia, Calpurnia aurea and Buddleja polystachya. Woody species diversity at mining (1.97) was significantly different from that unmined (2.49) site (p = 0.0005). Bulk density significantly varied between the mined (1.9 g cm−3) and unmined (1.38 g cm−3) sites (p < 0.0005). Furthermore, significantly higher TN and AvP was recorded at unmined areas as compared to the mining areas (p < 0.05). Discussion with communities is mandatory before deciding a site for mining. Respondents argued that mining negatively affects the vegetation and other resources that brought devastating effect on the downstream farms. The communities’ were recommended for immediate rehabilitation of abandoned lands to restore it and reduce the negative impact of mining. Conclusions Stone mining causes an adverse impact on plant species and soil physico-chemical properties. Discussion with communities at the planning stage, immediate restoration activities and monitoring are crucial to reduce the negative impacts of stone mining for further sustainable natural resources development and management.