Abstract:
The study had been carried out at the ModADA of Freeport Maining Areas. The objective of the study was to observe, monitor and evaluate the progress of reclamation and re-vegetation programs at natural succession and man-made succession of the tailing deposit areas. The descriptive method was applied by recording, identifying, and listing criteria and selected characters of all growing plants at ModADA. Of the 140 plant species recorded at the MoDADA, there were 11 plants considered as the best-growing plants at the natural successions, namely Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus iria, Ageratum conyzoides, Wedelia biflora, Mikania micrantha, Bidens pilosa, Cynodon dactylon, Saccharum spontaneum, Physalis angulata, Pennisetum purpureum, and Lycopodium cernuum. The native species naturally grow successfully on soils containing tailings. At the man-made succession, 11 plants were also recorded as the best plant, specifically Phragmites karka, Mimosa invisa, Imperata cylindrica, Solanum torvum, Sida sp., Sida rhombifolia, Emilia sonchifolia, Vitiveria zizanoides, Pennisetum purpureum, Gliricidia sepium, and Equisetum debile. There were 13 plants species which showed as the best plants grown at both the natural and man-made successions, namely Casuarina equisetifolia, Psidium guajava, Tridax procumbens, Trichomanes javanica, Alstonia spectabilis, Alstonia scholaris, Setaria palmifolia, Paspalum conjugatum, Cassia alata, Terminalia catappa, Premna corymbose, Piper wichamanii, and Muntinga calabura. Crops that apparently grew best in soil containing tailing ameliorated with organic carbon and inorganic fertilizers at MP-21 were leafy vegetables, and some fruit plants such as melon, pineapple, citrus, and banana. The staple crops like root crops and sago could not be entirely evaluated, as they were still in the vegetative stage. The annual plants which possess long and proliferated roots grew slower compared to those which grew in the suitable sites. The reclamation and revegetation programs proved successful based on their good growth and development performances at the ModADA. However, monitoring and evaluation should be conducted in a regular base with clear indicators and measurements.
