Copperflora.org - website

Textual, factual or bibliographical database (2012)

This website is intended as a place of exchange for scientists and mine managers interested in the conservation, the restoration and the taxonomy of the copper-cobalt flora.

Biodiversity Factsheet n°3: Topsoil Management

Learning material (2012)

Biodiversity Factsheet n°1: Species of concern

Learning material (2012)

Soil-plants relations diversity in extreme ecosystems and implications for restoration: the case of the cupriferous vegetation, in Katanga, D.R. Congo

Conference (2011, June 13)

Katangan copper and cobalt hills in the D. R. Congo are isolated ecosystems on highly toxics substrates (>10.000 ppm Cu, with strongly marked gradients). As a result, those outcrops host singular vegetal ... [more ▼]

Katangan copper and cobalt hills in the D. R. Congo are isolated ecosystems on highly toxics substrates (>10.000 ppm Cu, with strongly marked gradients). As a result, those outcrops host singular vegetal communities – with a diversity of specialized metallophytes species – related to soil metals content. Recent resumption of mining activities in the area threatens those ecosystems. To allow the restoration of those communities a fine understanding of the relationship maintained with the edaphic factors is required, as well as a characterization of the intra and inter sites variation. Three outcrops have been studied on the basis of a systematic grid, following the a priori trace elements gradient. In 1m² quadrats, a composite soil sample (0-15 cm depth) was taken and the cover (%) of each species of vascular plants was recorded. Soils were analyzed for pH, C, N, and bioavailables Cu, Co, Zn, Mn, Fe, K, Mg, Ca and P. The cluster analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis show that different sites present different soil conditions and vegetation. Concentrations in Cu are an important explicative factor of the flora’s variation but gradients in others edaphic parameters (pH, Mg, Mn, K, Ca) appear to be essential. However, parameters explaining the diversity of communities vary from one site to another indicating a great diversity of those ecosystems and the need to develop restoration strategies relevant for each site. [less ▲]

Conservation of endangered plant communities: a study case of ecosystem reconstruction in Katanga (DRC)

Conference (2011)

The Katangan copper-cobalt deposits (Democratic Republic of Congo) are part of the Central African Copperbelt, one of the world’s greatest metallogenic province. The ore comes to the surface in a series ... [more ▼]

The Katangan copper-cobalt deposits (Democratic Republic of Congo) are part of the Central African Copperbelt, one of the world’s greatest metallogenic province. The ore comes to the surface in a series of hills isolated in the miombo woodland. These unique ecosystems present high metals concentration levels where a specific vegetation develops. Flora comprises more than 600 species from which 30 are endemics. Due to the recent revival of mining activities in the region, copper plant communities of Katanga and their associated flora are now critically threatened. Tenke Fungurume Mining sarl (TFM), an important mining company operating in Katanga, has developed a Biological Diversity Action Plan (BDAP) to conserve copper-cobalt flora and mitigate potential species extinction risk. One of the most original BDAP tasks is an ecosystem reconstruction experiment that should preserve plant communities representative of the diversity found on the exploited hill and to provide the plant material for further post-exploitation restoration. From December 2007 to April 2009, full vegetation blocks were translocated with their soil mat on an adequate mineral substrate of 1500m². Since 2008, the artificial ecosystem is monitored every year. Three communities were successfully recreated. A total of 144 species were found in the ecosystem which represents more than 80% of the original species richness. The reconstructed ecosystem seems to favour the most tolerant species to copper. This first experience shows that ecosystem reconstruction is successful and may be used as a strategy to conserve copper-cobalt plant communities in their habitat. [less ▲]

Conservation et gestion des ressources de la biodiversité de la flore du cuivre

Conference (2010, October 19)

Soil-plants relations diversity in extreme ecsystems and implications for restoration: the case of the cupriferous vegetation, in Katanga, D.R. Congo

Conference (2010, August 25)

Katangan copper and cobalt hills in the D. R. Congo are isolated ecosystems on highly toxics substrates (>10.000 ppm Cu, with strongly marked gradients). As a result, those outcrops host singular vegetal ... [more ▼]

Katangan copper and cobalt hills in the D. R. Congo are isolated ecosystems on highly toxics substrates (>10.000 ppm Cu, with strongly marked gradients). As a result, those outcrops host singular vegetal communities – with a diversity of specialized metallophytes species – related to soil metals content. Recent resumption of mining activities in the area threatens those ecosystems. To allow the restoration of those communities a fine understanding of the relationship maintained with the edaphic factors is required, as well as a characterization of the intra and inter sites variation. Three outcrops have been studied on the basis of a systematic grid, following the a priori trace elements gradient. In 1m² quadrats, a composite soil sample (0-15 cm depth) was taken and the cover (%) of each species of vascular plants was recorded. Soils were analyzed for pH, C, N, and bioavailables Cu, Co, Zn, Mn, Fe, K, Mg, Ca and P. The cluster analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis show that different sites present different soil conditions and vegetation. Concentrations in Cu are an important explicative factor of the flora’s variation but gradients in others edaphic parameters (pH, Mg, Mn, K, Ca) appear to be essential. However, parameters explaining the diversity of communities vary from one site to another indicating a great diversity of those ecosystems and the need to develop restoration strategies relevant for each site. [less ▲]

Tenke Fwaulu Sefu Ore Bodies Flora Baseline - Tenke Fungurume Mining Project

Report (2010)

Biodiversity Conservation and Mining : a Study Case of Ecosystem Reconstruction in Katanga (DRC)

Conference (2009, September 03)

The South of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Katanga) and adjoining regions in the North of Zambia comprise some of the largest ore bodies of cobalt and copper in the world. Katangan copper hills harbor ... [more ▼]

The South of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Katanga) and adjoining regions in the North of Zambia comprise some of the largest ore bodies of cobalt and copper in the world. Katangan copper hills harbor about 40 endemics as well as particular steppic plant communities. This Biological Diversity Action Plan (BDAP) is an activity program for the conservation of copper-cobalt flora and vegetation and mitigation of potential species extinction risk, during the early construction phase of the Tenke Fungurume Mining Corp. (TFM) project. Six potential taxa of concern (IUCN criteria) have been identified in the TFM concession. In situ conservation is fulfilled through the setting of a single large reserve. In parallel, important efforts have been devoted to ex-situ conservation strategy to re-establish vegetation and species after mining activities cessation. This includes: - Translocation of 3500 individuals of plants of concern to the nature reserve. - Ecosystem engineering with the reconstruction of an artificial copper/cobalt ecosystem. - Ex-situ seed bank with 300 seed samples (at least 50 seeds) collected belonging to 40 species and used for short and long term conservation, germination tests and micro-propagation tests. All these efforts represent an important step towards the conservation of copper-cobalt flora. [less ▲]

Environmental Controls on the Distribution of Aquatic Macrophytes in Ugandan Crater-lakes

Poster (2009, March 27)

This research is part of an integrated paleoecological project which aims at coupling reconstructions of past vegetation and water-quality changes with climate variability. Crater-lakes from East Africa ... [more ▼]

This research is part of an integrated paleoecological project which aims at coupling reconstructions of past vegetation and water-quality changes with climate variability. Crater-lakes from East Africa are favourable to the conservation of proxy indicators such as plant macrofossils used to reconstruct the lake ecosystem. The study of modern macrophytic communities related to present environmental parameters was the first step of this research. Phytosociologic and environmental data were collected in 36 crater-lakes in South-western Uganda. Species abundance and habitat conditions were described in 216 relevés arranged along transects from the lakeshore to the depth limit of aquatic plant development. A cluster analysis identified 8 macrophytes communities and their indicator species were highlighted. Combining two levels of analysis (lake or relevé) with different kind of ordinations (CA and CCA), main parameters explaining community variability were conductivity, pH, Human Impact index, vegetation zonation and productivity (Chlorophyll-a and total nitrogen). Multiple species response curves to environmental parameters were performed to assess the ecological amplitude at the individual level and select species with a good proxy-indicator value. These results give some trends about the ecology of macrophytes communities and the ecological significations of macrofossils. [less ▲]