Post-gypsum mining landscapes in Germany - Unveiling Biodiversity

In light of European and international mandates to protect natural areas for biodiversity conservation, unused or abandoned areas are increasingly recognized as valuable resources. This study investigates the botanical and structural diversity of mining areas and surrounding landscapes across four major gypsum mining regions in Germany. Over the course of a year, we analysed 66 study transects across 24 mining sites, categorizing them based on their structure and usage. Our results indicate that vascular plant diversity in restored post-mining landscapes is significantly higher than in the surrounding undisturbed areas. This research underscores the importance of these disturbed landscapes for Red List species and the potential of recovering gypsum-mining sites in Germany to protect biodiversity. Furthermore, our findings highlight the critical role of management strategies, with particular emphasis on renaturation and recultivation as effective techniques to enhance the nature conservation value of abandoned sites.

The study also reveals the significant influence of management interventions on the ecological development of these landscapes. Renaturation, involving the restoration of natural habitats, was found to be more beneficial for biodiversity than recultivation, which often involves returning areas to agricultural or forestry use. We advocate for long-term management plans in renaturation areas, as these are essential for sustaining species diversity, particularly for areas undergoing ecological succession. Regular mechanical disturbance, applied in a mosaic pattern every 3–5 years using methods such as grazing, brush cutting, or heavy tillage, can further improve biodiversity outcomes. Additionally, after mining activities cease, the creation of a diverse range of landscape structures—such as steep walls, shallow water areas, rubble piles, and stone slabs—can support a variety of species.

This study contributes to our understanding of the potential for post-mining landscapes to serve as important habitats for biodiversity conservation. It also provides practical recommendations for nature conservation organizations, municipalities, and the mining industry. By fostering partnerships and implementing long-term renaturation concepts, we can improve the ecological restoration of mining areas and ensure their role in biodiversity protection.

Keywords: gypsum mining, biodiversity, time-for-space concept, disturbance ecology, post-mining landscapes, nature conservation, Red List species, ecological restoration

Implications for Practice:
The trends observed in renatured and recultivated areas have significant implications for future management plans, particularly those aimed at preserving and promoting floristic and faunal biodiversity. We recommend:

• Long-term management plans are crucial for renaturation areas but not strictly necessary for recultivated sites.
• Regular mechanical disturbance should be applied in a mosaic pattern every 3–5 years.
• A variety of landscape structures should be created after the dismantling of extraction sites.
• Renaturation is preferable to recultivation for biodiversity development