Studying plant–soil interactions in mine degraded reclaimed land provides an important foundation of restoration ecology. These interactions are influenced by several factors, such as plant growth medium, level of contamination, environmental conditions, restoration practices, age of reclamation, surrounding flora and fauna community, selection of plant species, and microbial community. Soil characteristics effect plant growth and community development. The selection of plant species is used as an important tool to accelerate the pedogenesis process and initiate progressive succession. Plant–soil interactions can be used as major tools for restoration (e.g., ameliorate soil properties favoring autochthonous species) or it could be a major hurdle for restoration (e.g., encourages growth of invasive species which hamper ecosystem succession process by allelopathy and altering soil according to their requirement). Even though the extent of plant–soil feedback affecting the ecosystem is very less reported, several studies consider it most important for restoration ecology. This chapter focuses on on plant-soil synergy affecting the development of soil-biotic community, accelerates the succession process towards the target ecosystem and how the soil development influences vegetation structure and community dynamics.
Elsevier, Climate Change and Soil Interactions, 2020.
