Rehabilitation Blackpool Working Area - Essay Example

? LANDSCAPE REHABILITATION Landscape Rehabilitation Introduction The land set for rehabilitation is the Blackpool China Clay Pit near St Austell. The Blackpool tip and pit spot is an area inside the china clay mining area near St Austell in Cornwall and proximate to the Wheal Martyn China clay museum. The land has undergone a major land dereliction due to continuous mining activities for over 250 years. The mining activity mainly involves the extraction minerals such as fluorite and emimorphite. The central position within the site is a wider hole that extends to the edges, and separated by masses of earth materials. Currently, the area is filled with water and disused from the excavations and the pits. The pits on the site have served as a dumping area for wastes for many decades and would require restoration. The restoration of the site will include removal of the excess water in the pits, filling the pits and planting appropriate plant species to improve the soil stability. The Strategic Context The Formulated Objectives i. To provide of an expert report on the means to rehabilitate Blackpool working area. The plan would provide procedures to realize a full reclamation and maintenance of the region. ii. To explain and the principles behind each technique employed in the process to foster understanding amongst the planets. The explanations would advise on the appropriate criterion by identifying the merits and demerits of each criterion and need for its implementation (Liddle, 1997). iii. To utilize the conventional models of reclamation on degenerated environments. http://www.mindat.org/gphotos/0357418001078092838.jpg Setting of the Site The Plan Layout Retrieved on April 24th 2012 http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_0552001/report/vol1/vo_1.htm Site Plan and Design Design Considerations The Landscape Plan Goals To provide a strategic context for the plan would require the inclusion of created and approved objectives. The planners must also consider the incorporation of the local community in the selection of the site to use and the necessary facilities. To provide the feasibility framework for the rehabilitation will demand a plan for the site layout and the approved locations for landscaping, the phases of work and the procedures. The wildlife considerations will target the increment of the plants’ species diversification. The variation will additionally increase the number of the native animals’ populace that the Blackpool mining site can tolerate. Eventually, the other concern worth incorporation is the preference of the users. This consideration will define the entry point of the site and the order of entry and an arbor structure will be located at the entrance (Heywood & Carver, 2006). The Physical Reclamation Design This plan targets the creation of a conducive environment for the public into the Blackpool and creates a woodland feel within the urban setup. Plants should be located and accumulated to direct views and provide avenues in the space between the rehabilitated site and the Clay Works. The plants should be installed in natural arrangements. The plan should avert straightforward rows or formal procedures of planting trees. Limited groupings of similar plant species should offer the reigning pattern (Hawke & Jose, 1995).The planners have to consider reason for rehabilitation to provide a tentative guideline. The need for rehabilitation should direct the rehabilitating team on the areas to emphasize on with respect to the objectives. The availability of resources has to be addressed and considered as one of the critical facets for the success of the rehabilitation process. There has to be adequate finances to fund the process by hiring or purchasing the heavy machinery and tools together with the plant operators employed. The personnel involved in the rehabilitation process have to be competent and conversant with the geological and environmental issues. The ownership of the land is essential for consideration because the ownership dictates the rights to access. The access rights are availed by the legislation and the planners have to consult and attain the required permission. Invasive Weed Control Invasive plants include the plant species that have the capacity to spread spontaneously through the means such as stolons, seeds and rhizoids, or both. The invasive plants attributes to monocultures that tend to displace the native the native plants that might be of chemical significance (Gilbert, 1989). Site Preparation The process of site groundwork will demand elimination of invasive species, downing of enormous maple of debris situated on the open slope and putting mulch on the soils of the slope at a depth of about twelve inches. The areas around the site should be stabilized using logs to enhance the locations potentiality. Slope Realignment Issues Physical and Mechanical Requirements Slope realignment of a site is an active physical process that demands the involvement of skilled personnel and machinery. The machines to be used in the reclamation process of the site include; graders, excavators, bulldozers and trucks. The excavators are responsible for the extraction of soil and rock material in the raised surfaces of the site. The bulldozers concern the movement of heavy earth masses to desirable regions within the sites. The bulldozers would assist in the breakage of the landmasses and heaps of soil particles by breaking the bulk for easy extraction and transportation by trucks to a different location. The trucks should be used in the distribution of the excavated soil and rock materials to different locations in the site. For instance, the materials would be utilized in filling with ditches and chief holes, which resulted from the mining activities that transpired in the area. The grader trucks can then be used in the leveling of ground to realize an appropriate gradient that can sustain the activities intended for the end use of the site (Liddle, 1997). Site Stability After the first bit of the reclamation process on the land, the soil would still be unstable and lack the capacity to support many activities of which the piece would be intended. The soul instability would also be attributed by the depletion of soil nutrients and the destruction of soil structure by both physical and chemical facets of the environment (Escope, 2002). The instability of the site is attributed by two main factors namely; the loosened soil bulk and the presence of unregulated soil moisture content. Therefore, there is a need to restore stability of the land. The rehabilitated land generally needs ground improvement to offer stable fundamentals for different types of infrastructures and amenities. The premixing technique can be used to treat the rock and soil sediments and dredged substances during and collectively with the recovery procedures. During the premixing stage, agents such as cement and other limestone products should be added to advance the engineering features of marginal seal materials (Badshaw, Goode & Thorp, 1987). Generally, a day after position, the modified matter will obtain appropriate strength for human and machinery operation. The stability of the land should target the weight of the infrastructures to be installed. The premixing technique would be vital in considering the moderation of the proportionalities of the quantities of additives applied to the soil. Appropriate compaction can be achieved through the combination process of the soil particles and dictate the processes and structure construction recommendations of the possible activities on the land (DoE, 1986) Soil suitability as a growing medium Soil nutrient content and porosity are the main features that determine the soil’s suitability as a medium of growth. The wetness of the soil decides on the soils ability to retain moisture and support the plant growth. The resultant soil of the site has to achieve a significant porosity for appropriate water retention capacity. Considering the soil sustainability for plant support, a consideration must be based on the soil amelioration since it determines the soil nutrient content and aeration supply (Dobson & Moffat, 1993). The need for soil amelioration Soil amelioration is necessary in providing the nutrients that the existing soils do not provide naturally through a modification process. The soil amelioration process varies depending on the disparity between the existing soil characteristics and the targeted product. The amelioration process improves the drainage and enhances the nutrient holding ability of the soil. How to Achieve Soil Amelioration First, the palette of plants needed to be selected since each plant species requires specific condition for success thrives. Therefore, this would call for botanical expert’s advice. The second step prompts that there should be an inspection of the soil to determine the information regarding the nature of soil. The type of the soil will provide the specifications of the moisture content retention of the soil and avail understanding on the auxiliary activities supporting the soil such as irrigation processes. The soil and irrigation testing is the third process. The procedure should be performed in the laboratory under standard and controlled conditions. An appropriate soil irrigation testing will guide for a comprehensive recommendation on the specifications and the suitability of the soil. The next step on the soil amelioration process is the pre plant fertilization. This process results into the improvement of soil quality. The process of soil structure modification then follows where there is the addition of peat type product to enhance the moisture and nutrient retention capabilities of the soil (Baines, 1991). The final step in the soil amelioration is the soil importation. In case the site for which the plantation has to take place has no desirable soil properties, the modified soil is transported to the site to offer more stability and support the introduced plants (Nathaniel & Bardos, 2004). Design of the new woodlands The plan for the contemporary woodlands should always target the diversification of dissimilar habitat characteristics within the general context of the woodlands. The ground plants should be considered equally by considering the aspects such as seedling planting and turfs. In woodland surroundings, pure species are most excellently planted in collections of maybe nine to twenty one trees, combining edges into the succeeding group. This will imply natural and show natural processes (Andrews & Kinsman, 1990). The Straight lines of trees are easy to manage in the short-term but can look restricted, trees will thin themselves with time, if left to their own survival, and will grow a more ordinary pattern, or you can conceivably assist this process by retreating or reformation during the preservation period. Scalloped woodland boundaries intermingle more physically into the setting and the limits themselves are critical wildlife habitats. The tree species that provide significant natural restrictions include hawthorn, Blackthorn and gorse. The site requires better access for proper maintenance (Giles, 1992). After determining, the tree species work out the distance of preference between the trees to be when fully grown. Determine whether to plant the correct number anticipated or a collection that will be watered down in the future maintaining the healthiest trees in the group. The purpose will also decide the density of planting for instance, the purpose of the woods may be for timber generation or wildlife management. In case 0f timber production, a higher density would be necessary due to the anticipated harvesting (Andrews, 1994). Description and Justification The Pit Slopes There will be construction of effective barriers to the pits to provide a distinction from the public. Irregular ridges on the pits sides will be filled for uniformity and offer sources of aesthesia. The safety of the pits will also be achieved through creation of fences around the pits and guidelines offered on the nature of pits to the visitors to avert accidents. The pits can avail habitat to species of plants and some animals, hence conserving natural resources and offer recreational site. The planners should identify all accessible biological resources that would be necessary for the development and creation and restoration enhancement. Proper reclamation measures would attribute to proper connection between the reclaimed mines and the Clay trails. Improved access between the two locations would improve the convenience in transportation means. The accessibility is significant in determining the transportation cost and time spent during the activity. The improved transportation will reduce the costs of transportation and encourage the visiting of the site particularly by traders and tourists. Therefore, environs of the area would experience significant development due to enhanced accessibility. Physical Protection Physical barriers will be created will be created to protect the site from intrusion caused by man or animals. The barriers must meet the standards that can guarantee the site of maximum security. The desired plants will be protected from [physical damages resulting from the environmental aspects, both living and non living. Amenities Amenities, for instance, a room will be constructed and set aside for offering educational services to both the local community and the visitors. Trained environmental experts will be employed in the area to offer facilitation services and provide suggestions on future recommendations for prosperity. Water bodies for Recreation The water bodies for recreation will be located at the periphery of the site to allow the areas proximate to the center and entry of the site for other purposes. The facilities to be included in the water include floaters and life jackets for swimming. Ladders will be installed and the water will be treated regularly to ensure utmost safety to the users. Good amenity provision involves standardized services and the project will uphold the installation of appropriate infrastructure such as swimming pool and other swimming materials. Details of landscaping that may be required Management of Waste Materials There should be segregation, treatment and bioremediation of contaminated soil matter. The recommendations provide that only the recommended wastes should be buried in desired pits. The standard stipulations provide that the buried materials must be in a minimal depth of three feet from the surface. Alternatively, the wastes must be moved from the sites to appropriate disposal site. Surface Integrity This process involves elimination of surface and ground water contamination sources. The drill holes should be plugged properly on the surface. There should be stability of the fill to avert the entry of other contaminants into the open shafts. The surface integrity requires regulation of contaminants and application of best management processes to safeguard the ground value. Stability Re-establishment The stability factor concerns slope, surface and topographic diversity. There should be a reconstruction of the landscape to ensure that its contour is consistent with the plan. Maximization of the geomorphic stability and topographic variance of the rehabilitated landscape is significant. Unless approved, there should be elimination of cut slopes, high walls and topographic depressions. There is need for the minimization of erosion such as sheet and reel types to ensure elimination of mass wasting traits. Water Course and Drainage Features Stabilization and Reconstruction The process should involve rebuilding of the drainage basins and reformation of impoundments to uphold features of drainage such as pattern, platform and dimension. The procedures also determine the natural characteristics of the operating basins. Reconstruct and stabilize all channels of both steam and drainage to ensure conformation with the original features of a stabilized originality. Top and Sub-soil Maintenance Top and sub-soils should be delineated and separated basing on fundamental study of soil specifications on dept, physical and chemical formations. Safeguard the stored and exposed soil from erosion and degradation. The stored soil should be included into the disturbed landscape. The seeding of the soil should be performed by native or an native species that are appropriate. Preparation of Site Re-vegetation The plan should prompt the redistribution of soil matter in a model similar to the initial vertical profile. The compaction should be regulated to a desirable depth before the spreading the top soil to tolerate the desired plant species. Avail appropriate physical, biological and chemical traits to support prolonged viability for perennial plants tolerance. Safeguard the planted seedlings through mulching, fencing and hydro seeding. Self-perpetuating Native Plant Community Create species organization, distribution, structure and overall ground cover for specific species. Develop fundamental resource quality such as wildlife, recreation and biodiversity in proper situations. Choose genetically certified and the locally obtained plant species according to site properties and ecological specifications. The aspect also entail the collection of logistics concerning the native plant quality and suitability to growth. Reestablish a Complementary Visual Composition Make sure that the rehabilitated landscape characteristics merge into the neighboring area and concur with the utilization plan requirements. The composition has to ensure that the restore land does not experience long-term alteration to the scenic quality of the region. Invasive Plant Management Evaluate the invasive plants prior to land redistribution activities. Design an invasive control process. Regulate the invasive plants through comprehensive pest control mode and assess the effect on invasive plants. Create and Apply a Reclamation Assessment and Reporting Approach Perform a compliance and efficiency assessment according approved management agency protocol. Study the assessment information for concurrence with the restoration plan. Compile the report monitoring information and recommend harmonized rehabilitation strategies. Finally, implement the required reclamation strategies. The Wildlife Interest Strategic Considerations Soil The knowledge on soil components such as soil texture, soil aeration and soil water content, the landscape planners can choose the best plant species to use in the rehabilitation process. In the area targeted for restoration, sixteen- inch holes should be dug to evaluate the soil properties. The depth allows for the retrieval of the most significant soil layers that can provide full information about the soil through studies. The planners should understand that appropriate sampling of soil in the site due to weathering and transportation of the soil via physical, chemical, biological and biochemical means (Liddle, 1997). One hole should be dug on the hillside of the Blackpool’s hilly area. Another hole should be dug on the lower side of the site towards the points at which the water collects.. The remnants of the minerals previously extracted from the area can be revealed through the soil next to the streams because there is a main collection of the soils washed from the mines (DoE, 1986). The last portion of the soil can be collected also from the forest area in the site’s neighborhood. This would provide information on the soil structure that has not experienced any interference human. The soil analysis outcome should provide vital information on the soil depth, horizon, soil texture and soil PH. Soil Nutrient Analysis Studying of the soil nutrient content determines the overall quality of the soil or condition of soil in a portion of the site. The soil nutrient analysis should be done using appropriate probes of detecting different elements of soil and their proportions. The soil horizons should manifest differences in the nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium, carbon copper and boron amongst the soil horizons. The results from all the different samples of soils collected should be tabulated differently to allow for independent analysis before the overall conclusion. The planners should notice the disparities in the nutrient contents of the soil concerning the penetration, which is influenced mostly by the vegetative coverage on a soil. Wildlife Conservation Enhancement Suggestions and Justification Existing Plant Material The planners should distinguish the existing trees in the site into three dissimilar classes namely; the under story trees and shrubs, the canopy trees and ground covers. The noninvasive trees such as the beech and the sycamore trees should not be considered regardless of their origin with respect to the site. The trees are of the essence to the site since they create shade in the site and offer a historical advantage to the mining site. The trees that provide no significance to the site should be eliminated to relieve the site from the burden of intensive nutrient depletion. This reasoning provides that invasive tree species to be eradicated from Blackpool deserted mines. The trees that chock off others of growth in most sections of the site targeted fore rehabilitation should be removed. The weedy and invasive shrubs tangled in the site should be removed from the site due to their entangling mass (Hawke & Jose, 1995). The few beneficial under story plants existing in the site should be retained band protected since they uphold the beneficial attributes of the soil. Therefore, the landscape planners should ensure greater care when working in the site during the rehabilitation process to avoid damages on the species. Nonetheless, the planners should consider the landscape and the gradient of the location of the trees/. In case, the trees grow in derelict areas or on the undesirable level grounds, the planners can destroy the trees in the processes of leveling the land and plant new seedlings to replace the eliminated species at convenient locations (DoE, 1986). Intended vegetation cover is as follows: Retrieved on April 26th 2012 from http://www.merthyr.gov.uk/English/EnvironmentAndPlanning/Countryside/Pages/LandscapeCharacterAssessment.aspx Nature Conservation The rehabilitation process has to consider the nature of conservation of the site. The conservation has to ensure ecological balance among the biotic and the abiotic factors. The focus of conservation should emphasize on habitat conservation. The habitat conservation would be imperative for consideration since it relates to the rehabilitation process directly. The consideration entails land management processes, which target the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the habitat areas for wildlife (Hawke & Jose, 1995). The reliant animal and plant species must be safeguarded from extinction that is likely to be attributed to by environmental degradation. The planners should embrace the fact that prioritizes several groups that cannot be classified easily regarding any ideology. The restoration will encourage a wildlife mix of cover trees and legumes to improve the soil aeration and nutrient input. Agriculture The planners should moderate the processes to ensure that the resultant soil quality encourages agriculture. The planners should decide on the type of agricultural crops they intend to recommend for the site. There should be a consideration of the prevalent conditions within the environs of the abandoned mining site. However, the recommended crops species should concur with the environmental conditions and ensure significant yield beyond the threshold requirements. The local community would benefit through the provision of agriculturally conducive environs and enlightening them on the best practices that can result into a total agricultural environment. Forestry The forestry would benefit the community in two ways mainly; first, the rehabilitation process should ensure the elimination of invasive tree species that exploit the environment and cause harm to other plant species. The forests are essential habitats for the wildlife organisms such as birds that also assist in the management of the ecosystem by maintaining at a state of continuous flow through transmission of energy via all levels. The forest would benefit the community through the purification of the environment. The forests would also provide essential resources such as timber through regulated lumbering (Harris, Birch & Palmer, 1996). The possible Eco-town developments on Imerys sites and Tourism There would be a possibility of town developments due to the rehabilitation of the area. The development of towns results from improved trade practices amongst the population. The Imerys site depends on specific biodiversity, prominent and critical recreational opportunities accompanied by statutory compulsions. The improved tourism activities and the eventual businesses would lead to economic activities, hence attracting investors to exploit the resultant business opportunities (Giles, 1992). Wildlife Management There should be a proper management of the activities taking place in the site. The visitors have to achieve proper guidelines while in the site. The visitors have to understand restrictions involved in various areas in the site and access at different sites. Zoning in the Site The zoning scheme in the site will employ IUCN model. A minimum of seventy five percent of the site must be under strict protection and should experience limited access. There will be spatial variations according to the management aims. Different sections such as sanctuary, natural environment and recreation will experience different emphasis. The sanctuary in the site will receive restrictions in access because it will contain sensitive species of plants and animals. Temporal Issues Some recreational sections of the site would be closed down during winter season due to extreme cold experienced. The bare sections will be avoided during summer to avoid the dust, bare rocks and the scorching sun. Directional Visitor Access The visitors will be guided by trained officers in the tourism and wildlife department. The directions will depend on the clients’ objectives and their visiting intents. The New Scene Map The Budget The rehabilitation of the site would utilize $12,000 as an operable financial plan. The proposal should be regarded in three phases to its conclusion. The phases include the implementation, site preparation, installation and the final aftercare. The research agents from my company had already performed the site analysis and proposed further activities. The source of funding would be the government and other philanthropic individuals. The tools and machinery would be provided by the company awarded the tender and partly by the government. Some assigned landscape rehabilitating firm would assist in the installation, site installation and aftercare services to the site and the overall project (Harris, Birch & Palmer, 1996). Conclusion This report has achieved its intention of providing desirable guidelines for the landscape planning and rehabilitation. The plan has provided suggestions based on expertise knowledge on planning supported by facts. However, the suggestions are liable to alterations after a practical observation of the rehabilitation process. The budget of the facilities to be utilized in the project may vary according to disparities in material and tools prices as a result of inflation. Recommendation According to the provisions proposed in this report, the dexterity and application of policies may vary throughout the execution of the project. The report recommends that a follow up activity be performed to determine the weaknesses of the plan. A critical examination should debone on the data to avail proposals that can lead to a better rehabilitation process on the weaker sections of this report. Meanwhile, the planners should be confident in employing the specifications of this report (Bookley, 1989). Bibliography Andrews, J 1994. Farming Wildlife: a Practical Handbook for Management, Restoration and Creation of Habitats on Farmland. RSPB. Andrews, J. and Kinsman, D. 1990. Gravel Pit Restoration for Wildlife: a practical manual. RSPB. Baines, C & Smart, J 1991. A Guide to Habitat Creation. (A London Ecology Unit Publication.) Packard. Beeby, A. & Brennen, A-M. 1997. First Ecology. Chapman & Hall. Bradshaw, A. D, Goode, D. A. & Thorp, E.H.P.(Eds). 1987. Ecology and Design in Landscapes. Blackwell. Buckley, G.P. (Ed) 1989. Biological Habitat Reconstruction. Belhaven Press, London Coppin, N.J & Bradshaw, A.D. 1982, Quarry restoration. Mineral Journal Books Dobson, M.C & Moffat, A.J. 1993. The Potential for Woodland Establishment on Landfill Sites. HMSO DoE, 1996. Reclamation of Damaged Land for Nature Conservation. HMSO, London. Ecoscope, 2000. Wildlife Management & Habitat Creation on Landfill sites: a manual of best practice. Ecoscope Applied Ecologists, Muker, UK. Gilbert, O.L. 1989 (republished 1991). The Ecology of Urban Habitats. Chapman & Hall. Giles, N. 1992. Wildlife after Gravel. The Game Conservancy, Hampshire Harris, J.A., Birch, P. and Palmer, J. 1996. Land Restoration and Reclamation, Principles and Practice. Longman, London Hawke, C.J. and Jose, P.V. 1995. Reedbed Management for Commercial and Wildlife Interests. RSPB, Sandy, Bedfordshire Heywood, I. Cornelius, S. & Carver, S. 2006., Longman, London. An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems Kirby, P. 1992. Habitat Management for Invertebrates - A Practical Handbook. RSPB, Sandy, Bedfordshire. Liddle, M. 1997. Recreation Ecology. The Ecological Impact of Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism. Chapman & Hall. Merritt, A. 1994. Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife - A Manual of Principles and Practices. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire Nathaniel, C.P. and Bardos, R.P. 2004. Reclamation of Contaminated Land. Wiley, Chichester Read More