The contribution of derelict mineral and industrial sites to the conservation of rare plants in the United Kingdom

Abstract

The contribution of derelict industrial sites to the conservation of rare plants in the British Isles is reviewed. Many sites have acquired considerable biological interest and have been designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest or nature reserves. In most cases the development of wildlife interest has in the past been fortuitous rather than planned. There is, however, increasing evidence that the deliberate re-development of specific areas of derelict land for wildlife conservation is technical feasible. Whilst the forward planning of new mineral developments must continue to take account of existing wildlife values to minimise potential conflict and losses, nature conservation may, in certain circumstances, be considered as viable an endopoint as the more commonplace objectives of landscape rehabilitation. Further development of this policy could provide a means of compensating for the inevitable losses that will occur in the future, and greater attention must be paid to the potential of derelict industrial sites in this context.