The Impacts of Clay and Gypsum Mining on Vegetation and Soil Conditions in Arid Ecosystems (Case Study: Segzi-Isfahan)

This study evaluates the impacts of clay and gypsum mining on ecosystem structure and function using Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) in Segzi plain, Isfahan. The length and width of patches and inter-patches length were recorded along the 18 established 50-meters transects in mining and reference sites. Eleven soil surface indicators were evaluated using LFA method in these patches and inter-patches spaces. Thirty six soil samples were randomly collected from 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 centimetres of soil surface, and the amount of pH, CaCO3, CaSO4, electrical conductivity, organic matters and the percentage of clay, silt or sand of the samples were measured. According to the results, structural and functional characteristics of the reference sites, including infiltration, stability, and soil nutrient cycling are better than mining sites. In clay mine sites, except indicators of slake test; litter and surface roughness indices were not different statistically (α = 5%). In Gypsum mine sites, all indicators in mining sites were statistically different (α = 5%) from reference sites, but their indicators of cryptogam cover, nature and roughness of the soil surface and deposit material. The extent of degradation in soil and vegetation characteristics of mined sites indicates that there is a strong desertification trend in the study area.