Woody Species Regeneration in an Ash Disposal Site after Biological Reclamation by Herbaceous Plants

This study was conducted in the Southern Taiga subzone of the Middle Urals and examined the natural regeneration of woody plant species in ash disposal site No. 2 of the Reftinskaya thermal power plant (Reftinskaya GRES). The aim was to investigate the natural overgrowth processes, particularly by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), in reclaimed ash dump areas, alongside assessing substrate agrochemical properties and vegetation succession dynamics. A full-scale field survey was carried out in dry storage sections where the biological stage of reclamation had been completed 3–12 years earlier. The study area covers approximately 1293 ha. Chemical analyses determined the content of macro- and microelements, pH levels, and mobile forms of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Mn, Zn) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (novAA-300, AnalyticJena). Active natural overgrowth by pine, birch (Betula pendula Roth.), and aspen (Populus tremula L.) was observed in areas with a 20–30 cm loam layer and grass sowing 8–12 years after reclamation. Substrate pH decreased from 10.0–9.5 to 8.8–8.2 over time, while organic matter accumulated. No toxic heavy metal concentrations were detected. Grass sowing with fertilization accelerated woody regeneration and supported the development of stable plant communities, indicating favorable conditions for long-term ecological restoration of ash disposal sites.

Cite this article as: Menshchikov, S., Mokhnachev, P., Pospelova Kuzmina, N., & Ayan, S. (2026). Woody species regeneration in an ash disposal site after biological reclamation by herbaceous plants. Forestist, 76, 0030, doi: 10.5152/ forestist.2026.26030