Identification of Mycorrhiza in Ex-Mining Land: Potential and Challenges in Ecosystem Rehabilitation

Abstract

Land degradation due to mining activities is a significant environmental challenge, involving the loss of natural vegetation, soil erosion, and soil degradation. Rehabilitation of mined land is crucial to restoring the ecological functions and productivity of the disturbed soil. One promising approach in this rehabilitation process is the use of mycorrhizae, a mutualistic symbiosis between fungi and plant roots. Mycorrhizae play an important role in improving soil structure, enhancing nutrient uptake by plants, and increasing plant resistance to pathogens and extreme environmental conditions. This article examines the potential of mycorrhizae in supporting the rehabilitation of ex-mining land through the identification and application of mycorrhizae. Identification is done by soil sampling, isolation of mycorrhizal spores, and microscopic and molecular analyses. Challenges in rehabilitation include the variability of environmental conditions and heavy metal contamination in mined lands. Therefore, approaches tailored to the specific conditions of each site are required to ensure successful rehabilitation. This article highlights the importance of further research and technology development to optimally utilise mycorrhiza in the rehabilitation of mined lands so as to provide sustainable solutions for environments degraded by mining activities.