Author : Abanto, Rusty G.

Summary : Regeneration of mined-out area is not far fetched but possible although poses herculean challenges in terms of resources-both technical and financial. This study assessed/evaluated the natural and artificial regenerations in the rock dump site of abandoned mining area in Larap, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte and was premised on the hypothesis that natural and artificial regenerations of mined-out areas can significantly contribute to rehabilitation and carbon sequestration. Field measurements of natural regeneration were conducted using quadrat method and identified 8 species belonging to 8 genera and 7 families. Diversity indices yielded no significant differences using t-test. Carbon sequestration analysis showed that natural regeneration has 2.78 ton/ha C stored in the biomass and 22.55 ton/ha of C sequestered in the soil while the artificial regeneration showed varying amounts of C sequestered implying potential for rehabilitation and carbon sequestration. Results further imply that growing J. curcas in marginal and degraded site in general requires more efforts and inputs in terms of soil amelioration, and overall silvicultural management especially if the objective of management is the production of alternative fuel. Both natural and artificial regenerations indicate that regreening the mined soil is possible if natural process of ecological succession is allowed and revegetation through artificial means is done. When properly managed and protected, both the natural and artificial regenerations offer enormous opportunity not only for rehabilitation, carbon sequestration, but as potential source of income for the community as well.