Final answer:
In contaminated soils near a mine in Wales, sensitive local plant species may die off while tolerant or adapted species become dominant. Lead contamination can disrupt soil chemistry, nutrient uptake, and microbial communities, leading to a decrease in biodiversity and ecological imbalance. Introduced plant species that tolerate contamination might flourish, potentially causing further changes to the ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
In lead-contaminated soils near a mine in Wales, several changes likely occurred among the local plant species. Plants in heavily contaminated areas may experience toxicity, which can lead to reduced growth and eventual death of sensitive species. Adapted or tolerant plant species may become dominant, while sensitive plants are outcompeted and can potentially die off. In similar situations noted in studies, contamination has encouraged the spread of non-native plant species that are able to fix nitrogen or tolerate harsh conditions, often at the expense of the native vegetation.
Moreover, lead contamination can alter soil chemistry, disrupting the nutrient uptake of plants and affecting the microbial communities essential for soil health. This could lead to a decrease in biodiversity and changes in the structure of plant communities. Over time, the ecological balance of the area could shift markedly, which may require intervention and remediation efforts, such as revegetation with tolerant species, to restore the local ecosystem.
As with other areas impacted by industrial pollution, the introduction of plants that can cope with high levels of contamination is one potential strategy for mitigating the effects on the ecosystem. However, this might also cause an ecological imbalance by allowing other introduced species to flourish, potentially leading to a decrease in native biodiversity.