Review Topic - Creating Environmental Improvements through Geodiversity

Geodiversity refers to the variety of rocks, their associated geological features and processes within nature, and includes land-shaping processes and soils as well as bedrock geology. It underpins the extremely varied landscapes that exist in the UK, together with the biodiversity that thrives on them, and it has a major influence on local culture and heritage. The term “geoconservation” refers to the policies and procedures supporting the practical enhancement of geodiversity.

It is clear that quarrying and mineral extraction have a strong relationship with geodiversity, as they are both concerned with material in the ground. It might appear that quarrying would have an entirely negative impact, but this is certainly not the case. Excavation through quarrying reveals strata and features that would not otherwise be visible, and provides many opportunities for research, education and recreation. Much knowledge of the geology of the UK, the processes of rock formation, and to some extent the landscape, has been achieved through examination of quarry faces.

At each phase of a quarry life-cycle (planning and design, operational and post-closure) the objectives must be to minimise damage to important features of geodiversity, and to maximise the benefits.

Planning and design phase

The importance of the geodiversity associated with a specific operation can only be understood in the context of the wider region. To this end, a number of ALSF projects have assisted with the preparation of a geodiversity audit of an area, followed by the development of a Local Geodiversity Action Plan (LGAP). Examples of LGAPs funded through the ALSF’s MIST / SAMP programmes are Durham, Leicestershire and Rutland, Gloucestershire Cotswolds, Northumberland National Park. Other LGAPs are not necessarily supported by comprehensive geodiversity audits. One project has established a procedure for assessing the value of geodiversity at a geological site to assist with local audits and action plans.

The importance of planning for geodiversity at the earliest stage of quarry design is emphasised to enable incorporation of geodiversity interests and geoconservation at every stage of a quarry’s life-cycle. One ALSF project has created a procedure for producing a Company Geodiversity Action Plan (cGAP), which should ensure that operating companies are planning and taking opportunities for geodiversity throughout the life-cycle of a site.

Operational phase

Many quarries are unaware of any geodiversity features they may have, so two ALSF funded projects undertook comprehensive geodiversity audits at active aggregate sites (in Devon and Somerset).

Geoconservation does not always mean preserving things intact. Ongoing quarrying reveals fresh strata, often with new geological features. Geological exposures which are lost through quarrying can be recorded and they may be replaced by features of equivalent interest as the excavation progresses. They can sometimes be recreated by special excavation in a different location. In many quarries, final restoration landforms can be created progressively which can enable early establishment of new (or replacement) sites of geodiversity interest.

A significant number of ALSF projects have had strong educational and leisure elements. These include the creation of public viewing areas over active sites and the provision of materials using different media which enhance the learning experience (e.g. books, DVDs, internet sites, interpretation panels). Part of one project has examined the issues associated with enabling safe access for visitors to quarries so that they can observe the geodiversity as part of professional, educational or leisure activities.

Post-closure phase

Quarries that are coming up to closure have the opportunity to incorporate geodiversity as an important part of their final restoration. In some cases, these opportunities will have been identified at an earlier stage of design, assessment and operation, but there may also be opportunities that are identified during the life of the quarry that were not anticipated in the planning and design phase.

There are also opportunities to incorporate geodiversity in quarries that have been closed for some years through improvements to restoration schemes or as part of other after-uses (such as built development). A large number of the educational and leisure resources mentioned above have also been produced through ALSF projects for former quarries. Many closed quarries are very old and may just have been abandoned with little or no restoration taking place. Here, new exposures are not likely to be created, and preservation or enhancement of important features through on-going maintenance may need to be considered. ALSF projects have enabled practical restoration with improved safety and accessibility, geodiversity trails and guided walk booklets, together with similar resources to those mentioned in the section on the Operational phase above.

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