The Rationale for Restoration of Abandoned Quarries in Forests of the Ślęża Massif (Poland) in the Context of Sustainable Tourism and Forest Environment Protection

Abstract

The manuscript presents the current state and proposals for the management of the old granite, quartz, and serpentinite quarries located in the Ślęża Massif (SW Poland, 50°51′51.22″ N; 16°42′26.80″ E), an area entirely covered by forests and protected by various legal protection measures. The quarries are abandoned and subjected to intense natural plant succession, so they are disappearing from the landscape. Nine quarries were analyzed regarding their natural and landscape characteristics. Due to the variety of their sizes, specific locations, geological–topographical traits, and forest and site conditions, the quarries may be turned into tourist attractions enhancing the social function of forests while, at the same time, ensuring their protective functions. If properly managed, they may contribute to the multifaceted development of tourism, performing scientific-cognitive, educational, sports, or cultural functions, and, as a result, to a partial reduction in the tourist pressure on biotic and abiotic natural resources along the presently most frequently used routes. This paper attempts to present arguments indicating that a former mining working site may be a positive and attractive landscape element in harmony with the vegetation cover, beneficial for both nature and humans.

Methodology for determining the scope of reclamation works when forming recreational zone in the quarry residual space

“…In addition to the return to the original state of the disturbed lands, reclamation involves the forming of the necessary form of relief with planned parameters [13], which allows the newly created surface to be used after the extraction of minerals [14], both for growing vegetation and for the construction of tourist infrastructure facilities and recreation areas [15]. The further fate of the manmade landscape remaining after the extraction of minerals depends on the quality of the reclamation works planning [16].…”

“…During the study of the effectiveness of disturbed lands restoration by surface mining, with the aim of their further use for recreational purposes, it was established that in the available works, insufficient attention is paid to increasing the area of recreation areas during the restoration of watered quarries residual spaces [28]. These issues become especially relevant when quarries are located at small distances from places of intensive human habitation, since over time such objects become chaotic recreation areas in the absence of sufficient areas that meet safety conditions [16]. Residual spaces of construction raw material quarries after the completion of mining operations are usually filled with groundwater and represent man-made reservoirs [29].…”