Natural quarries - unexpected hotspots for biodiversity
In a world that still seems to be dominated by mass consumption and a throwaway culture , environmental and nature conservation are slowly coming back into focus. At first glance, quarries often seem to some of us to be a disruptive factor in the landscape. Machines, interventions in nature and initially barren landscapes lead many people to assume that quarries irreversibly destroy the habitat for flora and fauna. But a closer look reveals a surprising phenomenon: natural quarries can promote local biodiversity. But how does that work?
New living spaces are emerging
Natural quarries in which rock is mined go through a process of renaturation during their operation and especially after they are closed. This process is often accompanied by conservationists who work to restore habitat for various animal and plant species. But even during active mining, ecological niches begin to develop in the quarries, which promote a unique biodiversity.
The open, often water-filled areas created in the quarry provide a new habitat for numerous pioneer plants and specialized animal species. These species, which can no longer find space in intensively used agricultural landscapes or dense forests, colonize the barren soils, rocks and ponds of a quarry.
These are often rare and endangered species that hardly occur in the modern cultural landscape.
A paradise for pioneer species
Due to their often extreme conditions - such as steep rock faces, changing water levels and nutrient-poor soils - quarries offer a habitat in which particularly resilient plant species thrive. These so-called pioneer plants, such as mosses, lichens and special grasses, first colonize the bare rock faces. They prepare the soil for other plants by accumulating organic material and stimulating soil formation.
These plants, in turn, attract a variety of insects, including rare and endangered species. Wild bees in particular, which have suffered greatly from the decline in their natural habitats in recent decades, find ideal conditions for nesting and foraging in the open areas of a quarry. Butterflies and other insect species also benefit from the variety of flowering plants that thrive in quarries.
Water bodies as habitats
Another important aspect is the creation of water areas in quarries. These are often caused by groundwater collecting in deep pits or by the accumulation of rainwater.
Such waters are not only attractive to amphibians such as frogs and newts, but also to birds and numerous aquatic insects. In particular, rare bird species such as our native kingfisher find breeding grounds and sufficient food in the disused quarries.
In addition, the steep walls and varied topography in quarries provide perfect conditions for birds of prey such as the eagle owl, which is already extinct in many regions. These birds find suitable breeding places in the rock walls, which offer them protection from predators.
Quarries as a model for renaturation projects
The importance of quarries for biodiversity is increasingly being recognized by nature conservation organizations. In many regions of Europe, quarries are therefore specifically renaturalized after they have been closed down in order to preserve and further promote the existing biodiversity. These renaturation projects not only offer a valuable contribution to species protection, but also an opportunity to sensitize people to the importance and value of biodiversity.
The example of natural quarries impressively shows that interventions in nature do not necessarily have to lead to an impoverishment of biodiversity. On the contrary: with the right measures, such interventions can even create new habitats and make an important contribution to the preservation of endangered species.
Human interference with nature is inevitable and part of life. What is crucial, however, is how this intervention is designed. If we treat nature with respect and use resources sustainably, we can transform interventions such as the quarrying of natural stone into a positive force. By using natural materials, we not only support the local economy and preserve traditional crafts, but also promote renaturation and thus biodiversity in the affected areas.
The MAGNA Atelier combines high-quality craftsmanship with a clear commitment to protecting nature. By using natural stone from quarries where the preservation and promotion of biodiversity is actively taken into account, we create a bridge between modern sustainability and respect for nature.
This approach shows that sustainable consumption is not only possible, but can also actively contribute to the preservation of our environment and biodiversity.
At a time when calls for more environmentally friendly alternatives are becoming ever louder, natural materials such as marble and other natural stones are a shining example of how we can use our planet's resources responsibly.
Our sustainable natural stone tables not only offer aesthetic and functional benefits, but also help minimize our environmental footprint and preserve the natural world that surrounds us.
Numbers and Facts
CO₂ emissions:
- Natural stone: The mining and processing of natural stone generates an average of around 40-60 kg of CO2 per ton of rock.
- Synthetic materials (e.g. plastic, MDF) : The production of synthetic materials such as MDF (medium density fiberboard) or plastic can generate up to 1,000 kg of CO2 per ton of material, depending on the specific production methods.
Energy consumption:
- Natural stone: The energy required to mine and process natural stone is relatively low because the process requires primarily physical work. The energy intensity is around 100-150 kWh per ton.
- Synthetic Materials: The production of synthetic materials requires significantly more energy, particularly due to the chemical processes involved in plastic production. The energy intensity can be up to 1,500-2,000 kWh per ton.
Lifespan:
- Natural stone: Natural stones like marble or granite have an extremely long lifespan. With proper care, they can last for several generations, often more than 100 years. Many marble artworks from antiquity are still admired today.
- Synthetic Materials: Furniture made from synthetic materials such as MDF or plastic has a significantly shorter lifespan, often only 5-15 years, before it needs to be replaced or thrown away.
Recycling and Waste:
- Natural stone: Natural stones can be completely recycled or reused in other construction projects when they are no longer needed. They produce little waste, and even waste products can often be used for gravel or other purposes.
- Synthetic materials: Synthetic furniture often generates plastic waste at the end of its life, which is difficult to recycle. Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to decompose and contributes significantly to environmental pollution.
raw material utilization:
- Natural stone: Natural stone is a naturally occurring material that is extracted directly from the earth. Natural stones do not require any additional chemical processes for production and are therefore a direct, little-processed raw material that has little impact on the environment.
- Synthetic materials: Synthetic furniture is often made from petrochemical products (like plastic) or wood materials (like MDF) that contain chemical binders. These materials require intensive industrial processes and contribute to the depletion of non-renewable resources.
This data clearly shows that the mining and use of natural stone has a significantly lower environmental impact compared to the production of synthetic furniture such as ceramic products, plastic or MDF and chipboard and can contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Sustainability and biodiversity – a symbiosis of nature and people
For companies like us, the MAGNA Atelier, which is committed to the sustainable production of natural stone tables, promoting biodiversity in quarries is not only an important ecological aspect, but also an expression of our philosophy.
The conscious choice of natural materials such as marble, other natural stones and wood contributes to reducing the ecological footprint in the long term and is in line with a more sustainable lifestyle.
Compared to synthetic materials, which are often manufactured using large amounts of energy, chemicals and non-renewable resources, natural stones are a more sustainable option.
Their extraction requires human intervention in the landscape, but this intervention can - as with the renaturation of quarries - be designed responsibly. While synthetic materials often require complex industrial processes and the use of petroleum products, natural stones simply need to be mined and transported. The subsequent processing usually takes place without any energy consumption.
In addition, natural stones are extremely durable and, unlike many synthetic materials, can be used and reused for generations, further improving their ecological balance.
