An international briefing paper has been produced by WWF, IUCN, Bird Life International and Fauna and Flora International highlighting the biodiversity of limestone quarrying areas and exploring how quarrying and nature conservation can co-exist.
The paper contains:
- an explanation of why limestone areas are a unique ecosystem and habitat
- an exploration of how extraction can affect biodiversity in limestone areas
- suggestions for practical solutions balancing the need for extraction of limestone with the need to conserve biodiversity.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) writes:
The paper… calls on scientific, regulatory and business communities to raise the profile of limestone-restricted biodiversity and act now to avoid further species extinctions and habitat loss. It urges companies and industry associations to help map critical areas for limestone-restricted biodiversity and take responsibility for protecting underground, as well as surface limestone habitats.
