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Assessment of soil physical quality and its potential influence on plant establishment in reclaimed coal mining land of tropical Indonesia Herman, Welly; Hermawan, Bandi; Sulistyo, Bambang; Meilyanto, Tedy
Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management Vol. 13 No. 4 (2026)
Publisher : Brawijaya University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15243/jdmlm.2026.134.11251

Abstract

Coal mining activities significantly alter soil physical functions, affecting reclaimed land's capacity to support vegetation recovery. This study aimed to assess soil physical quality and evaluate its potential influence on plant establishment on reclaimed coal-mining land in tropical Indonesia. The study was conducted in reclaimed coal mining areas of Bukit Sunur, Bengkulu Province, Indonesia, using a limited chronosequence approach involving four reclamation ages (2014, 2015, 2018, and 2024). Soil physical properties, including texture, soil moisture, bulk density, particle density, total porosity, permeability, and aggregate distribution, were analysed to evaluate variations in soil functional conditions. An integrated Soil Physical Quality Index (SPQI) was developed using selected physical indicators weighted through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results showed that soil physical characteristics varied by reclamation age, particularly soil moisture content, permeability, and aggregate distribution. The 2024 reclamation block exhibited higher water retention capacity due to its clay-dominated texture but showed limited permeability and aggregate development. In contrast, the 2014 reclamation block demonstrated the highest SPQI value (0.822), characterised by better pore functionality, higher permeability, lower bulk density, and more balanced structural conditions. The findings indicate that an integrated soil physical assessment using SPQI provides a useful approach for evaluating reclaimed-soil functionality and identifying its potential to support plant establishment. However, further studies integrating soil physical indicators with direct vegetation measurements are required to validate the relationship between soil quality and plant establishment performance.
Co-Authors Abdul Rauf Agus Budiman Agus Wahyudi Akhmad Rosihan Amaliah Anshori, Siroj Ibnu Hajar Al Apriani Aspita Panjaitan Apriliani, Ririn Arjuni, Defi Awalludin Awalludin Ayob, Norhayati Bambang Gonggo Murcitro Bandi Hermawan Bandi Hermawan Contesa, Emilia Danoedoro Danoedoro Danoedoro Danoedoro Darningwati Darningwati Dede Hartono Deny Tri Ardianto DEWI PURNAMA Dongoran, Haddan Eko Nofridiansyah, Eko Emy Yuliantini Episiasi Erwanto Erwanto , Erwanto Farnia Sari, Farnia H Hartono H Hartono Hartono Hartono Hartono Hartono Hayatun Nofrida Hendra Alfani, Hendra Herman, Welly Heru Widiyono, Heru Hindarto, Kanang Setyo Ibnu Siswanto Indarwanto Joko Sriyanto Juwita Delvina Sari Kanang S. Hendarto Ketut Sukiyono Leony Carvio Rahma Dianty Lia Resti Utami Listyaningrum, Noviyanti Listyaningrum, Noviyanti M. Zulkarnain Yuliarso, M. Zulkarnain Martiana, Dinda Martubi Martubi Maulana Insanul Kamil Maya Anggraini Meilyanto, Tedy Muhammad Faisal Muhammad Faiz Barchia, Muhammad Faiz Muhammad Nur Alif Mukti Dono Wilopo Mustopa Ramdhon Nilawijaya, Rita Nira Hayu Simbolon Nopa Yusnilita, Nopa Nur Shabrina Reznani Nurcahyanti, Desy Nurhasanah Nurhasanah Nurhasanah Nurhasanah, Nurhasanh NURULANNINGSIH Nurulanningsih Nurulanningsih, Nurulanningsih Nurwanto, Ahmad Oktoyoki, Hefri Pangestu, Satria Pawoko, Laksono Tejo Prasetyono, Agus Puji Pratama, Feri Dian Prawito, Priyono Priti, Priti Priyono Prawito Priyono Prawito Projo Danoedoro Purwadi, Agus Joko Purwantoro, Agus Putra, Dio Rizki Ade Putri, Febi Rahma Rahmanu Widayat Ratih Utami Ramadhaniati Reflis Reke Julita Rifan Risky Oktami Rulia, Rulia Samsul Anam, Samsul Sherly Novela Silvy Syukhriani Supiyati . Susilowati Utama, Alip Teguh Adiprasetyo Thoriq Taqiyyuddin Totok Gunawan Totok Gunawan Totok Gunawan Ully Wulandari, Ully Utama, Olga Satria Tri Utami, Kartika Vikra Zaky Zanovid Vinni Lovita Wardan Suyanto Widyaputra, Gama Yentri Anggeraini, Yentri Yulian Yulian Zainal Muktamar