The effect of topsoil treatment on the recovery of rocky plain and outcrop plant communities in Namibia

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of different surface treatments and topsoil application, recovery of vegetation was investigated in a rehabilitated quarry site at Skilpadberg in Namibiaʹs section of the Succulent Karoo Biome in southern Africa. Only topsoil application resulted in regrowth of plants in deeply excavated areas, whereas loosening soil compaction through ripping, and even seeding showed no positive results. Areas with shallow excavations, in turn, showed re-establishment of plants, even without topsoil application, and the depth of excavation is expected to be an important factor determining the natural recovery potential of disturbed sites.