Group guideline for the promotion of biodiversity - Business and ...

3HeidelbergCement and Biodiversity3.1 The Impact of Mineral Extraction Sites onBiodiversityNature and landscapes have become increasinglyexposed to a rapidly growing world populationand an increasing utilisation impact over the lastdecades. This has lead to a considerable and everincreasing loss of animal and plant species worldwideas habitats are either chopped up or lostcompletely. Mineral extraction sites in particular arefrequently regarded as destructive to the environmentand therefore still present a predominantlynegative image for the public and nature conservationorganisations and authorities. Despite massiveefforts of the industry to restore mineral extractionsites, the resentment remains unbroken to a largeextent and poses serious problems for the provisionof raw materials and future mineral extractionplanning.Scientific DataThis general disapproval is opposed by an understandingwhich has arisen since the end of the1970s, namely that mineral extraction sites whichhave been closed down may take on importantfunctions in the environment of intensely utilisedland cultivated by man. Closed down mineralextraction sites which have not been restored bytopsoil application, sowing and plantation, contributeto sustainably increase and safeguard biodiversityjust through the existence of habitats significantwithin a habitat network system. They also stabilisethe surrounding ecosystems. Closed down quarriescontain high numbers of species with a high shareof endangered animal and plant species. Variousmanifestations of habitat types appear meshedthere, many of which are endangered, rare orthreatened. This diversity is caused by long periodsof development hardly ever influenced or disturbedby man. Thus a great variety of locations and structureshave developed.Research in the last two decades has proven convincingly,with a broad specialist foundation, thatthis insight also applies to operating extraction sites.They are characterised by a high number of animaland plant species, many of which are endangered(Figure 1). The findings are frequently comparableor even higher than in most habitats of the surroundings.This is due to the extreme environmentalconditions in the extraction sites and their greathabitat conditions. Characteristic habitats are e. g.6Biological diversityBiological diversity – or biodiversity – is one of the keywords in natureconservation. It refers to the ”abundance of life and its manifold structures“(European Commission).The term biological diversity stands for more than the diversity of species,however. According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),biodiversity encompasses■■ the diversity of species on earth (organism level),■■ genetic diversity (diversity of genes within a species),■■ diversity of habitats (ecosystem level).Figure 1: Young initial vegetation at quarrying level