Biodiversity and Mineral Extraction in the United Kingdom; A Biological

摘要

In 1992 the UK Government signed the Covnention on Biological Diversity at the Rio Earth Summit. Given the limited resources available, the Uk response was based on species and habitats which needed conservation action; 391 species and 45 habitats were identified and Biological Action Plans (BAPs) were published between 1994 and 1999. Where BAP species and habitats occur, these are likely to be an additional constraint on the development of mineral workings in the UK, and will be required to be re-established where planning consents are granted. On the other hand, a commitment to restoring BAP features may release additional areas for extraction, and there is scope for strategic planning on local and regional scales. There is merit in the industry focusing on the small habitat based list suggested by English Nature, the statutory conservation agency. The industry has an importnat and unique role to play in providing specialist habitats, particularly associated with primary colonisation and early succession. It is concluded that the Uk biodiversity targets are an opportunity the industry should grasp, and its implementation could contribute in a significant way to the Uk programme.