Bollers, J: The Recovery Potential of Mined Sites

This book takes a look at the self recovery potential of mined-out forest sites in Guyana s forests. Only about 40 of the 1000 timber species are selectively logged for commercial use leaving the remaining forest relatively undisturbed. This undisturbed state is however threatened by conflicting land use in the form of mining which has resulted in many unresolved conflicts between miners and loggers. The book is based on a study which seeks to highlight the fact that if left undisturbed, mined out forest sites can recover through a process of natural regeneration. The study compares species in mined out sites with those in surrounding forests to detemine native species regeneration in the mine site, species type and richness and the influence of time and patch size on these. the study also seeks to give some insight as to whether mined-out sites are capable of sustaining plant growth throughout the various stages of succession.