Maximising biodiversity potential in Europe’s mines and quarries: A key role for EU Nature Restoration Regulation targets
Amid the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR), which aims to restore degraded areas in the coming decades, post-mining sites must be integrated into biodiversity and ecosystem recovery strategies as key contributors. While mining, quarrying, and other extractive activities have considerable environmental impacts, they also present massive opportunities to create valuable habitats, support biodiversity, guide restoration efforts, and contribute to conservation. A strong foundation of scientific and practical knowledge is already in place, yet implementation gaps persist, and regulatory frameworks remain under-utilised for restoring these degraded areas. Under-exploited pathways exist to reconcile development needs with NRR restoration goals. To maximise the biodiversity potential of post-mining sites, we emphasise the need for: (1) Site-specific scientific assessments and long-term monitoring; (2) Practical restoration guidelines for European habitats; (3) The strategic use of restored site networks as demonstration areas; (4) Active stakeholder engagement; and (5) Supportive policies.
Details
| Type | A1: Web of Science-artikel |
|---|---|
| Categorie | Onderzoek |
| Tijdschrift | Ambio |
| Issns | 1654-7209 |
| Taal | Engels |
Bibtex
@misc{30236d9b-78ba-4ea6-bb5a-64f75a7cf7a4,
title = "Maximising biodiversity potential in Europe’s mines and quarries: A key role for EU Nature Restoration Regulation targets",
abstract = "Amid the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR), which aims to restore degraded areas in the coming decades, post-mining sites must be integrated into biodiversity and ecosystem recovery strategies as key contributors. While mining, quarrying, and other extractive activities have considerable environmental impacts, they also present massive opportunities to create valuable habitats, support biodiversity, guide restoration efforts, and contribute to conservation. A strong foundation of scientific and practical knowledge is already in place, yet implementation gaps persist, and regulatory frameworks remain under-utilised for restoring these degraded areas. Under-exploited pathways exist to reconcile development needs with NRR restoration goals. To maximise the biodiversity potential of post-mining sites, we emphasise the need for: (1) Site-specific scientific assessments and long-term monitoring; (2) Practical restoration guidelines for European habitats; (3) The strategic use of restored site networks as demonstration areas; (4) Active stakeholder engagement; and (5) Supportive policies.",
author = "Miguel Ballesteros and Klara Rehounkova and Kris Decleer and Carolina Martínez-Ruiz and Josu G. Alday and Rodolfo Gentili and Alice Nunes and Pedro A. Salgueiro and Gregory Mahy and Samuel Bouchoms and Anita Kirmer and Sabine Tischew and Vicenç Carabassa and Nina Nikolic and Rob H. Marrs and Karel Prach",
year = "2025",
month = sep,
day = "03",
doi = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-025-02235-4",
language = "Nederlands",
publisher = "Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek",
address = "België,
type = "Other"
}
Auteurs
Miguel BallesterosKlara Rehounkova
Kris Decleer
Carolina Martínez-Ruiz
Josu G. Alday
Rodolfo Gentili
Alice Nunes
Pedro A. Salgueiro
Gregory Mahy
Samuel Bouchoms
Anita Kirmer
Sabine Tischew
Vicenç Carabassa
Nina Nikolic
Rob H. Marrs
Karel Prach