Effects of Vegetation Reclamation on Temperature and Humidity Properties of a Dumpsite: A Case Study in the Open Pit Coal Mine of Heidaigou

Vegetation cover greatly influences the microclimate of a landscape, which plays an important role in ecosystem function and health. The following study examines the influence of different vegetation types on the microclimate of a surface mine reclamation site. Average soil and air temperatures are significantly lower, while relative humidity is significantly higher in re-vegetated areas of a surface mine dumpsite in the Heidaigou. Vegetation recovery, particularly an increase in herbaceous vegetation cover, is expected to significantly reduce temperature and increase relative air humidity, improving the microclimate of the dumpsite in arid and semi-arid regions.