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Natural
world
The richness of our natural world is a reflection of the complex
web of dependencies that exist between the plants, animals,
rocks, soils, water and climate. Elaborate food chains link
prey and predators, from decomposing vegetation, through invertebrates
and leaves and fruits, up by way of the birds and small mammals
to the larger top predators. Modify or destroy any one part
of that web and consequential changes will ripple though the
whole system.
Man as part of the natural world has, since stone age man started
clearing forests, caused serious impacts on the ability of
his fellow wildlife to survive. Not the least of the impacts
has been through the destruction and modification of the natural
wildlife-rich habitats. These habitats have, to a large extent,
been replaced by buildings and roads and by agriculturally
productive but wildlife poor areas of farmland.
Quarrying and aggregate extraction activities often occur in
areas of intensive agricultural activity which really are wildlife
deserts.
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Restoration of quarry sites presents an opportunity to increase
biodiversity by creating wildlife rich habitats and niches
for wildlife and at the same time to give people the chance
to appreciate and enjoy the habitats that have been created
and the geology that has been exposed.
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