Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71

DOI 10.1007/s12371-013-0078-4

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Patch-Scale Relationships Between Geodiversity

and Biodiversity in Hard Rock Quarries: Case Study
from a Disused Quartzite Quarry in NW France
François Bétard

Received: 13 July 2012 / Accepted: 28 February 2013 / Published online: 14 March 2013
# The European Association for Conservation of the Geological Heritage 2013

Abstract While quarrying can cause significant negative Introduction

impacts on geo- and biodiversity during the extractive op-
erations, abandoned quarries can enhance biodiversity after- The extraction of building materials in open-pit quarries
wards by acting as refuges for many plant and animal represents one of the major anthropogenic impacts on the
communities, including a range of rare and/or endangered Earth surface. The impacts of quarrying activities affect all
species of high conservation value. Combination of exposed aspects of the environment, including lithosphere (rock ex-
rock walls and bare surfaces, nutrient-poor soils, water cavation and geomorphic changes of the landscape), atmo-
bodies and associated wetlands are some of the abiotic sphere (dust and air pollution), hydrosphere (changes in
factors that contribute to the wildlife potential of abandoned ground- and surface water) and biosphere (destruction of
hard rock quarries. Focusing on the spatial relationships habitats and loss of biodiversity). As a general rule, impacts
between geodiversity and biodiversity patterns, an eco- of quarrying are classically regarded as threats and poten-
geomorphological survey carried out at a disused quartzite tially damaging to the environment and, in particular, to
quarry, NW France, revealed a strong connection between biodiversity (e.g. Thornton 1996; Langer 2001; Lameed
quarrying landforms and biological assemblages at the patch 2011): quarrying activities generally inflict heavy impact
scale. At this scale, geomorphological heterogeneity (or at both landscape and community levels, sometimes affect-
geomorphodiversity) induced by quarrying provides a di- ing habitats and species included in the European Habitat
versity of ecological niches adapted to a wide range of plant Directive (Martínez-Hernández et al 2011; Ballesteros et al
and animal communities, including some rare taxa of high 2012). Paradoxically, during the last decades, ecological and
heritage value (rare, Red Data Book-listed and/or protected botanical studies of quarries in various geological and envi-
species, especially in vascular plant flora and invertebrate ronmental settings have revealed the ecological potential
communities). Such dependence between geo- and biodiver- and biological interest of post-quarrying sites after natural
sity directly reflects the rapid adjustment of ecosystems— re-vegetation (e.g. Jefferson 1984; Frochot and Godreau
through primary ecological succession—to the new habitat 1995; Benes et al. 2003; UNICEM 2008). All these studies
conditions offered by individual quarrying landforms. This point to the positive effects of quarrying on biodiversity,
perspective deserves further attention in habitat conserva- because abandoned quarries act as refuges for many plant
tion and landform replication strategies in other localities of and animal communities, including a range of rare and/or
hard rock disused quarries. endangered species of high heritage value.
The aim of this study is to analyse the relationships between
Keywords Quarrying . Anthropogenic landforms . Biological geodiversity (i.e. diversity of exposed substrates, landforms
communities . Ecological succession . Armorican Massif and soils) and biodiversity (i.e. mosaic of plant and animal
communities) at the patch scale of a quarry site. At this scale,
geomorphological heterogeneity could be viewed as providing
a diversity of potential niches for plants and animals (Burnett et
F. Bétard (*)
al. 1998) that might explain biodiversity patterns and the
Univ Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratoire PRODIG,
UMR 8586 CNRS, F-75205 Paris, France bioheritage value of quarries. Following this perspective, an
e-mail: [email protected] eco-geomorphological approach, integrating anthropogenic
60 Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71

geomorphology and ecosystem ecology, was carried out at the positive and negative effects of quarrying on biodiversity, this
Cheffois quarry site (Vendée, NW France; Fig. 1) serving as a study finally proposes a discussion on the specific adaptation
‘natural laboratory’. Determination of the patch-scale relation- process of ecosystems to quarrying landforms and on the
ships between geodiversity and biodiversity is a major issue potential applications to restoration and landform replication
with potential applications in quarry restoration and reclama- within other disused quarries.
tion strategies. The main objectives of this study are: (1) to
identify the different types of quarrying landforms and the
patterns of geo(morpho)diversity at the site and (2) to charac- Materials and Methods
terize the biocenoses (i.e. plant and animal associations) oc-
curring within them. A biocenotic analysis of Orthoptera Study Site
communities serves as a special case study to illustrate the
patch-scale relationships between biotic and abiotic compo- The study site is a disused quartzite quarry within the
nents of the quarry. Including a comparative analysis of commune of Cheffois (Vendée, NW France) in the southern

Fig. 1 a Location map of the

study site in the southern
Armorican Massif (Vendée, NW
France); b simplified topographic
map showing the situation of the
studied quarry site along the
Arenig quartzite band. The
rectangle in b locates Fig. 2
Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71 61

Armorican Massif (coordinates, 46°39′50 N, 0°46′50 W; plant and animal communities are based partly on the author's
Fig. 1). The site occurs at the top of a quartzite butte own observations and partly on previous inventories of vege-
culminating at 194 m above sea level, with a temperate tation patterns (Dupont 1992) and the regional natural heritage
oceanic climate. Rainfall is typically 800–850 mm/year, (ZNIEFF inventory: MNHN 2003–2012). The compiled and
and mean annual temperature is ca. 13 °C. The quarry was added materials depicting the current state of biological
developed in a ca. 100-m thick, Ordovician quartzite unit of assemblages in the quarry site provide the basis for
Arenig age on the southern flank of a NW–SE-trending analysing the patch-scale relations between geodiversity
Variscan anticline. The extraction site is 600 m long with a and biodiversity patterns. Special attention was drawn
maximum width of 100 m, covering a total surface area of on the heritage value of habitats and biological species
ca. 8 ha. Outside the limits of the quarry pit, the surrounding (e.g. habitat types of community interest in the European
ecosystems and land covers are represented by a grove Natura 2000 network, species listed in Red Data Books and
landscape matrix (bocage) where cultivated lands are delin- Protection Lists) in order to better appreciate the ecological
eated by discontinuous hedges or tree lines, with small value and the bioheritage of the site.
patches of woodlands and copses. In this agriculture- To complete the analysis of patch-scale relationships be-
dominated landscape, the soil cover is composed of leached tween landform heterogeneity and biodiversity patterns, a
brown soils developed on grey and black schists contrasting biocenotic analysis of orthopteran communities (Caelifera:
with the lithic soils and rock outcrops of the quartzite butte. grasshoppers; Ensifera: crickets and bush crickets and the
During the nineteenth century, i.e. prior to quarrying, the allied Orders: Mantoptera, Phasmoptera) serves as a special
butte of Cheffois was covered by a mosaic of dry heathlands case study. Orthopteran communities were chosen because
(‘Atlantic moors’) and siliceous grasslands developed on nat- this faunal group presents several advantages and interests,
ural dalesides of quartzite associated with lithic soils. This as advocated by some authors (Andersen et al. 2001; Picaud
vegetation cover and associated components make up the and Petit 2007): (1) abundance and diversity, particularly in
reference ecosystem. The earliest quarrying activities began open landscapes such as quarries; (2) presence of functional
in the late nineteenth century, primarily to meet the important groups and typical species assemblages, favouring the assess-
needs of building roads and railways at the time. After an ment of ecosystem complexity; (3) ease and reliability of
initial stage of artisanal (manual) quarrying between 1896 and sampling and identification; (4) sensitivity to environmental
1920, the Cheffois quarry site experienced a second stage of changes and anthropogenic disturbance (orthopteran commu-
industrial development between 1920 and 1953, with the nities are composed of pioneer species which closely follow
intensification of production means and modernization of plant succession during the natural re-vegetation process). In
facilities (establishment of a mechanical crusher in a raised the study site, a survey of Orthoptera was conducted between
position, construction of an aerial ropeway, etc.). The quarry 2010 and 2012, mainly during spring and summer months,
site was closed in 1953, leaving a large excavated pit progres- focusing on the hottest hours of the day, between 1100 and
sively re-vegetating by natural colonization and primary au- 1800 hours GMT. This study was supplemented by crepuscu-
togenic succession. In addition, as extraction had proceeded lar and nocturnal surveys that were useful to detect several
below the water table, a large water body, or pit pond, devel- species of Ensifera (e.g. Oecanthus pellucens). For each hab-
oped in the deepest excavations of the quarry site to the west itat with homogenous vegetation structure, adult individuals
(Fig. 2). Because of its ecological potential and high biolog- were sampled and identified in natura or after capture, using
ical interest (the site is classified as ZNIEFF type 1: Zone the determination key of Defaut (2001). For the smallest
Naturelle d’Intérêt Ecologique, Floristique et Floristique: species (e.g. Tetrigidae), determination was verified in labo-
MNHN 2003–2012), the disused quarry was partly acquired ratory by examination under a ×30 stereo-binocular micro-
by the General Council of Vendée in 1993 for conversion as a scope. Species of the genera Phaneroptera and Calliptamus
protected natural area (ENS, Espace Naturel Sensible). were identified only from male specimens. In order to prevent
the insects from escaping, the sampling strategy in the field
Methods and Data was to move from the periphery toward the centre of each plot.
An abundance index was assigned to each species encoun-
To characterize landforms and patterns of geo(morpho)diver- tered during field surveys in the different habitat types, using
sity in relation to quarrying features, a field-based geomorpho- the following classes: (+) one to three individuals recorded
logical analysis was carried out in the study site, which after a half hour of survey (scarce species), (++) four to ten
included a systematic, multiscale description of quarrying individuals recorded (fairly abundant species), (+++) more
landforms (macroforms, mesoforms and microforms), as well than ten individuals recorded (very abundant, dominant spe-
as observations on rockwall dynamics and evolution. The cies). The species were finally grouped into synthetic records
nomenclature used for quarrying landforms was adapted from for each landform/habitat type, with reference to the
the classification proposed by Dávid (2008). Descriptions of syntaxonomic system developed by Defaut (1999).
62 Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71

Fig. 2 Environmental setting

of the Cheffois quarry site. a
Aerial view (Google Earth) of
the study site; b simplified
landform map, showing the
distribution of the main
quarrying features; c present-
day habitat and vegetation
patterns in and around the
quarry site

Typology of Quarrying Landforms and Patterns abiotic nature, the term geomorphodiversity is ‘a critical
of Geo(morpho)diversity and specific assessment of the geomorphological features
of a territory, by comparing them in an extrinsic and in
From a general perspective and as a parallel to biodiversity, intrinsic way, taking into account the scale of investigation,
geodiversity is defined as ‘the natural range (diversity) of the purpose of the research and the level of scientific
geological (rocks, minerals, fossils), geomorphological quality’ (Panizza 2009).
(landforms and processes) and soil features, including their Here, we describe the distribution pattern of
assemblages, relationships, properties and systems’ (Gray geomorphodiversity at the Cheffois quarry site as a direct
2004). Focusing on the geomorphic component of the consequence of extraction activities. Indeed, the extraction
Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71 63

of raw materials, or quarrying, may be considered as a geo- and evolution of quarry walls classified as excavated land-
morphic process since it produces an impact on geomorpho- forms. Two modes of rockwall dynamics were recognized in
logical landscapes which undergo fundamental and visible the study site: (1) a rockfall-dominated mode, in quarry
changes (Dávid 2008; Prikryl 2009). Thus, involving artificial faces shaped into compact quartzite beds (Fig. 3e), and (2)
erosion (excavation of rocks) and subsequent deposition a debris-dominated mode, in quarry faces shaped into
(accumulation of waste material), quarrying results in a triturated quartzite facies (Fig. 3f).
range of new landforms that may be classified into two
main categories: (1) excavated landforms, created by Quarry Caves Quarry caves are artificial underground land-
artificial erosion, and (2) accumulated landforms, originated forms or cavities that have been created by excavation during
by artificial deposition. Within these two categories, quarrying extraction activities. Several underground cavities of different
landforms are highly diversified as a function of size sizes and origins were identified in the quarry site; some of
and origin, highlighting high levels of geomorphodiversity on them are old explosive warehouses or compartments. The
a local scale. main quarry cave at the site is a ca. 20-m-long subterranean
gallery, located halfway up on the main north-facing quarry
Excavated Landforms wall, 50 m east of the ruins of the crusher (Fig. 3g). It is
characterized by a quasi-absence of light, a relatively stable
Quarry Tiles and Ponds The Cheffois quarry site belongs to temperature (10 to 15 °C all throughout the year) and high
a ‘complex excavated type’ (sensu Dávid 2008) resulting hygrometry levels (>80 %). This type of underground land-
from multi-levelled horizon mining. The present-day multi- form is almost unique in the non-karstic environment of
storeyed scenery is composed of four levels of quarry plat- Western France, where geological bedrock is dominated by
forms—or tiles (Fig. 2)—each level representing an approx- Proterozoic–Paleozoic basement rocks of the Variscan belt
imately flat ground surface, surrounded by quarry walls on (Armorican Massif). Public access to the main subterranean
three sides and including a range of microforms (sparse gallery has been prohibited since April 2010 on order of the
accumulations of quarry material in alternation with bare Prefect, to avoid any disturbance to bats and to promote their
rock surfaces and associated protosoils). In the deeper ex- conservation at the site.
cavations, a large pit pond occupies the western part of the
quarry floor (Fig. 3a). It is ca. 1 ha in surface area and 9 m in Accumulated Landforms: Quarry Dumps
mean depth (up to 12–13 m at maximum). The water level
of the lake drops ca. 1 m during warm and drier summer As opposed to excavated landforms carved by artificial
months. The water body is bordered by steep rocky banks (5 erosion of quarrying origin, accumulated or depositional
to 10 m high), with the exception of its eastern shore which landforms can be distinguished in almost every extraction
forms a smooth transition with a wet quarry level (Fig. 3b). site. Often known as quarry dumps, they are built up by the
The latter is occupied by small pools and temporary puddles movement and accumulation of waste materials which had
caused by seasonal flooding, in relation to a rise in water no value from an economic viewpoint during extraction
table and pond level during winter months. The upper activities (Dávid 2008). In the study site, quarry dumps
quarry levels are characterized by dry edaphic conditions are distributed all around the excavation pit (Fig. 2b).
(Fig. 3c), due to their position well above the water table and Accumulation of waste was originated from the removal
to the high permeability of quartzite. of overburden from above the fresh rock to be excavat-
ed, but also from the processing of the extractive ma-
Quarry Walls and Debris Aprons In the study site, quarry terial during grinding and crushing operations. The
walls are steep rocky scarps, or subvertical quarry faces, shape of the dumped material arranged in disordered
shaped into steeply dipping quartzite. According to their groups defines here ‘a complex accumulated type’
orientation (E–W dominant) and slope exposition, they are (sensu Dávid 2008). As a consequence, chaotic topog-
characterized by contrasting microclimatic conditions (wet raphy formed by waste heaps predominates in the land-
and shaded north-facing vs. dry and warm south-facing scape (Fig. 3h). Shallow rills and gullies, formed by
quarry walls). Artificial rockwalls include numerous micro- natural processes, are common microforms on spoil dumps,
forms, such as rock counterforts, rock benches and but the efficiency of linear erosion is today limited by forest
weathered-out rocks. At the foot of the quarry walls, debris vegetation developed on the soft soils of the dumps.
cones and debris aprons have accumulated with smaller In summary, all these landforms contribute to the high
angles as talus slopes (Fig. 3d), partly derived from extrac- level of geomorphodiversity of the quarry at different scales,
tion activities and partly from natural processes (rockfalls, both in extrinsic (rare landforms at the regional scale of the
dry debris flows). Although they may represent accumulated Armorican Massif) and intrinsic ways (varied landforms at
landforms, their origin is strictly connected to the formation the local scale of the quarry site).
64 Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71

Fig. 3 Photographs of the Cheffois quarry site, showing the main„

Biodiversity Patterns in Relation to Quarrying quarrying features and landforms. a Overall view of the quarry
Landforms site, with the pit pond at the foreground and multi-levelled quarry
tiles at the background; b view of the wet quarry tile; c view of
According to the ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’ (ac- the dry quarry tile; d quarry wall and thicket-covered debris
apron; e quarry face with traces of major rockfall and associated
cepted during the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio block fields; f quarry face with traces of dry debris flow accu-
de Janeiro), biodiversity is defined as ‘the variability among mulated in the form of debris cone; g entrance of the main quarry
living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, ma- cave; h quarry dumps; Photos: F. Bétard
rine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological com-
plexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within dry Atlantic moors rich in Fabaceae (Ulex europaeus,
species, between species and of ecosystems’. One textbook's Cytisus scoparius) and Ericaceae (Erica cinerea, Erica
definition proposes a simplified definition where biodiver- scoparia, Calluna vulgaris) and include patches of lichenic
sity is the ‘variation of life at all levels of biological orga- (Cladonia sp.) and bryophytic (Polytrichum sp., Hypnum sp.)
nization’ (Gaston and Spicer 2004). communities of great biological interest (Fig. 3c).
Here, we describe the biodiversity patterns of the Cheffois The exposed quartzite walls in the artificial scarps have the
quarry site in a qualitative way, with reference to typical plant highest conservation value in terms of vascular plant flora and
and animal associations in relation with the distribution pattern high species richness, despite the poorly developed soils and the
of quarrying landforms. Special attention is drawn on the sub-verticality of landforms. The great majority of these plants
heritage value of the habitats and biological species occurring grow on microforms such as rock benches and ledges in sun-lit
within this pattern of geomorphodiversity. A measure of the places, but also in the cracks and on the shaded walls, promot-
health of ecosystems of the quarry is provided by the ing the development of a chasmophytic vegetation typical of
biocenotic study of Orthoptera communities, serving as poten- siliceous rocky slopes—another habitat type of community
tial bioindicators of landform heterogeneity at the patch scale. importance in the European Ecological Network, Natura 2000
(European Commission 2007). The community of Asplenio
Plant Communities billotti–Umbilicion rupestris appears typical for the rockwalls
of the quartzite quarry. In the south-facing quarry walls, rare or
Due to the rich landform assemblage responsible for a uncommon heliophilous, xerothermic plants develop on the
mosaic of extremely diversified habitats, high diversity rocky scarps: Hypericum linariifolium, Micropyrum tenellum,
and richness of plant species occur in the quarry site. Anthoxanthum aristatum, Sedum anglicum and, very excep-
Vascular plant flora includes some rare taxa of high conser- tionally, Silene vulgaris subsp. bastardii—this last being a
vation value which found suitable ecological niches in the subendemic taxa listed in the Red Book of French endangered
areas transformed by excavation activities. The plant com- flora as a species of special concern (Olivier et al. 1995). In the
munities occurring in the extraction site have very different north-facing shaded walls, moss species and ferns (Polypodium
ecological exigencies in relation to landform and habitat vulgare, Pteridium aquilinum) appear and coexist with
heterogeneity, depending on the nature of the exposed sub- Umbilicus rupestris, a typical chasmophytic species colonising
strate (i.e. from compact rocks on quarry walls and tiles to the cracks and fissures of rock faces.
soft soils on quarry dumps) and the hydro-edaphic condi- Contrary to habitats on compact rocks in the quarry floor
tions (i.e. from wet areas to dry conditions related to differ- and walls, quarry dumps are represented by forest communities
ent levels of soil humidity or slope exposition) (Fig. 4). developed on soft soils. An acidiphilic oak forest of high
In the lower parts of the quarry site, the pit pond has a poor species diversity, in which Quercus robur dominates the tree
and low diversified flora, due to the significant water depth layer, covers the waste heaps all around the quarry pit (Fig. 2c).
and the steepness of the banks. However, in the immediate The pedunculate oak species is accompanied by significant
vicinity of the pit pond to the east, wet areas of the quarry floor populations of Castanea sativa, Pinus pinaster and Fraxinus
are home to swamp hygrophilous species that contribute to the excelsior in places. The undergrowth layer is dominated by Ilex
general increase in biodiversity of the area investigated. aquifolium, Lonicera periclymenum and Ruscus aculeatus, but
Annual–perennial herb communities (e.g. Juncus effusus, contains a very high diversity of shrub and herbaceous species.
Juncus bulbosus, Agrostis canina, Gnaphalium luteo-album, Two plants of higher conservation value were observed in the
Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea) develop in the periodically lower parts of the spoil dumps, to the north of the quarry:
flooded area due to annual fluctuations of water table height. Mycelis muralis and Orchis mascula (Dupont 1992).
At higher elevations in the multi-levelled quarry landscape,
the plant associations of the dry quarry tile belong to European Animal Communities
dry heaths, i.e. a habitat type of community interest that is very
scarce and declining in northwestern France (European Given that human pressure is lower than in surrounding
Commission 2007). More specifically, they correspond to cultivated and inhabited lands, abandoned or disused quarries
Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71 65
66 Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71

Fig. 4 Synthetic, schematic cross section of the quarry site, showing the distribution of landforms in relation to typical plant and animal
communities

appear as areas of relative quiescence for wild animals after an endangered species at risk of becoming extinct in the na-
cessation of excavation activities. The varied landforms of the tional territory (Sardet and Defaut 2004). Mammal communi-
Cheffois quarry site, and the mosaic arrangement of biotopes ties are also well represented, with the notable presence of
occurring within them, constitute convenient living conditions Genetta genetta.
for a wide range of animal communities (Fig. 4). In the area Rocky environments of the quarry walls provide condu-
investigated, many endangered and/or protected species find cive niches for a wide range of animal communities, espe-
shelter and ecological niches suitable to their maintenance and cially breeding birds. Avifauna species include raptors
development within the quarry. (Accipiter gentilis, Accipiter nisus, Athene noctua) as well
In the pit pond, aquatic fauna is still poorly known but as more common species (e.g. Columba palumbus) which
probably highly diversified, including crustaceans, aquatic find favourable conditions to nest in the rocky scarps. At the
beetles and other limnophilous hexapods. A community of foot of quarry walls, thicket-covered debris aprons provide
freshwater fishes, mainly introduced by man, inhabit the pond, refuge for various reptile species (e.g. Coluber viridiflavus,
with two species listed in national and international Red Data Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis muralis) and diversified insect
Books and Protection Lists: Esox lucius and Anguilla anguilla communities (Coleoptera, Orthoptera).
—this last being considered at the risk of extinction by IUCN. In the quarry caves, environmental conditions are highly
The edges of the lake are breeding sites for amphibian com- favourable to bats (Chiroptera), which are largely classified as
munities, mainly represented by Pelophylax kl. esculentus, endangered species in Red Data Books. The main subterra-
Rana dalmatina and Bufo bufo. Close to the pit pond, various nean gallery of the quarry site serves as a hibernaculum for
insect species occupy the wet quarry tile, especially dragon- several species of Europe's protected bats (listed in Annex II
flies (Odonata). The Cheffois quarry site is notably known to of the EU's Habitat Directive): Rhinolophus ferrumequinum,
house the rare orange-spotted emerald Oxygastra curtisii, a Rhinolophus hipposideros, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis
nationally protected species of dragonfly also listed in Annex nattereri. A diversified ‘cave’ microfauna is also represented,
II of the EU's Habitat Directive. including moths (e.g. Mormo maura, Scoliopteryx libatrix),
Within the dry quarry tile, diversified insect communities ground beetles and cavernicolous spiders. In winter, some
occupy the miscellaneous micro-habitats and plants of the amphibian and butterfly species find shelter within the gallery,
Atlantic moors, especially grasshoppers (Orthoptera), butter- such as the European peacock, Inachis io.
flies (Lepidoptera) and ground beetles (Coleoptera), with some On the unexploited quarry dumps, various groups of wild-
species of high conservation value. Subservient to gorses (e.g. life species today colonise the forest ecosystem, including
U. europaeus) represented in the moors and thickets of the mammals (e.g. Caproleus caproleus, Vulpes vulpes) and a
quarry, the green head grasshopper Chorthippus binotatus is wide range of insect communities. Among the numerous
Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71 67

saproxylic beetles recorded at the site, Cerambyx cerdo, anthropogenic disturbance, and are therefore useful
Rosalia alpina and Lucanus cervus are probably the most bioindicators of landform heterogeneity and ecosystem health
emblematic, because of their high conservation value and in post-mining areas and quarries (Andersen et al. 2001;
protection status in France and Europe. During the spring Picaud and Petit 2007). A total number of 27 species of
and summer months, the undergrowth is home to a diversified Orthoptera were recorded at the Cheffois quarry site
community of forest-associated butterfly species and to vari- (Table 1). This total species richness (γ-diversity) for the
ous arboricolous insects (Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera). whole quarry landscape is relatively high when reported from
the small area of the study site (8 ha in total) and when
Case Study: Orthoptera Communities in Relation compared to the 60 species currently listed for the whole
to Quarrying Landforms Vendée department (Defaut et al. 2009). The Orthoptera com-
munity was divided into four distinct groups corresponding to
Orthoptera communities (bush crickets, crickets and grass- four types of quarrying landforms with different vegetal
hoppers) are very sensitive to environmental change and structure and levels of soil humidity (Table 1).

Table 1 Systematic list of Orthoptera species inventoried at the Cheffois quarry site

Family Species Abundance Status

WQT DQT QW QD CI RVI NRL

Tettigoniidae Phaneroptera nana (Fieber, 1853) + ++ + MA NT

Leptophyes punctatissima (Bosc d’A., 1792) ++ ++ EU NT
Meconema thalassinum (De Geer, 1773) +++ EU NT
Cyrtaspis scutata (Charpentier, 1825) + EM RA/ℜ
Tettigonia viridissima (Linné, 1758) ++ ++ EA NT
Platycleis albopunctata (Goeze, 1778) ++ EU NT
Platycleis tessellata (Charpentier, 1825) + EA NT
Pholidoptera griseoaptera (De Geer, 1773) + + EU NT
Ephippiger diurnus (Dufour, 1841) + HM NT
Uromenus rugosicollis (Serville, 1839) ++ ++ + EUm RA/ℜ
Gryllidae Nemobius sylvestris (Bosc d’A., 1792) ++ +++ EM NT
Oecanthidae Oecanthus pellucens (Scopoli,, 1763) ++ ++ EA NT
Tetrigidae Paratettix meridionalis (Rambur, 1838) + EUm RA/ℜ
Tetrix ceperoi (Bolivar, 1887) +++ EU RA/ℜ
Tetrix undulata (Sowerby, 1806) ++ ++ EU NT
Acrididae Calliptamus barbarus (Costa, 1836) +++ EM NT
Oedipoda caerulescens (Linné, 1758) +++ EA NT
Aiolopus strepens (Latreille, 1804) + MA EN/ℜ
Omocestus rufipes (Zetterstedt, 1821) ++ ++ ES NT
Chorthippus albomarginatus (De Geer, 1773) ++ ES NT
Chorthippus vagans (Eversmann, 1848) ++ ++ MA NT
Chorthippus brunneus (Thunberg, 1815) ++ ES NT
Chorthippus biguttulus (Linné, 1758) ++ EA NT
Chorthippus binotatus (Charpentier, 1825) ++ ++ EUm VU/ℜ P2
Euchorthippus declivus (Brisout de B., 1848) ++ +++ ++ EUm NT
Mantidae Mantis religiosa (Linné, 1758) + + + MA NT
Phyllidae Clonopsis gallica (Pantel, 1915) + Eum RA/ℜ
Species richness per habitat (α-diversity) 6 16 14 8

WQT wet quarry tile, DQT dry quarry tile, QW quarry walls and associated debris aprons, QD quarry dumps, + 1 to 3 individuals recorded after a
half hour of survey (scarce species), ++ 4 to 10 individuals recorded after a half hour of survey (fairly abundant species), +++ more than 10
individuals recorded after a half hour of survey (very abundant, dominant species), CI chorological index, EA Eurasiatic, ES Eurosiberian, EU
European (EUm south European), EM Euromaghreban, MA Mediteranneo–Asian, HM Holomediterranean, RVI regional vulnerability index, EN
endangered, VU vulnerable, RA rare, NT non-threatened, ℜ striking species (ZNIEFF species), NRL national red list (Sardet and Defaut 2004), P2
priority 2 (at risk of becoming extinct in the national territory)
68 Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71

In the wet quarry tile bordering the pit pond, the Discussion
species group is typified by the exclusive presence of
Tetrix ceperoi and Paratettix meridionalis, associated Negative vs. Positive Effects of Quarrying on Biodiversity:
with Tetrix undulata during the spring season. This a Preliminary Assessment
association of hygrophilous Tetrigidae is completed dur-
ing summer months by the dictyopteran Mantis religiosa Like other man-made activities, quarrying originally causes
and by mesophilic species of Acrididae, especially significant impacts on the environment (noise, dust and air
Chorthippus albomarginatus and Euchorthippus declivus pollution, slope instability, changes in ground- and surface
that benefit from morpho-edaphic conditions of moder- water, etc.). One of the biggest negative effects of quarrying
ate humidity. In the syntaxonomic system developed by is the potential damage to biodiversity. In the study site, the
Defaut (1999), the group identified here belongs to opening of the quarry led to the destruction of rare habitats of
hygrophilous synusiae of the Tetricion undulatae alliance, in high ecological interest (natural dalesides of quartzite associ-
which T. ceperoi, T. undulata and C. albomarginatus are ated with dry siliceous grasslands). Consequently, one direct
characteristic species. effect is a loss of biodiversity, particularly in vascular plant
The dry quarry tile has the highest species richness per flora which contained some vulnerable species of high heritage
habitat (α-diversity) in Orthoptera at the study site, with 16 value. Among these species, the rare Romulea bulbocodium
different species recorded. The group is characterized by the was described in the late nineteenth century in the site which
exclusive presence of Calliptamus barbarus and Oedipoda was at the time the only known location in the Armorican
caerulescens—two xerothermophilous species which are Massif (Marais 1891), before quarrying probably caused its
co-dominant in this biotope. They are completed at the regional extinction, as assumed by several authors (Abraham
shrub layer with abundant populations of C. binotatus, 1987; Dupont 1992). Since the end of quarrying activities, the
Chorthippus vagans, Uromenus rugosicollis and, more oc- plant has never been found and is now listed in Red Data
casionally, Platycleis albopunctata, Platycleis tessellata, Books as a ‘species presumed extinct’ in the Armorican Massif
Ephippiger diurnus and M. religiosa. Given its faunal and and in the Pays de la Loire region. In a similar way, the Silene
synecological characteristics, this group unequivocally be- vulgaris subsp. bastardii—a subendemic taxon of France with
longs to the Chorthippion vagantis alliance (Defaut 1999), a few stations restricted to the southern Armorican Massif—
bringing together the xerophilous synusiae of heaths and was removed from the major part of the quartzite butte, with
thickets in Western France. the exception of its central part where a small area of natural
At the foot of quarry walls, thicket-covered debris aprons quartzite outcrops has been preserved. In combination with
are home to an orthopteran community substantially modi- Umbiculus rupestris, it forms a rare plant community consid-
fied from that of the neighbouring heathlands. This group is ered as a synendemic association of the Armorican Massif:
characterized by the appearance of partial shade species, Umbilico rupestris-Silenetum vulgaris subsp. bastardii. This
such as Leptophyes punctatissima, Phaneroptera nana, plant community has never been observed in the quarry tiles
Pholidoptera griseoaptera, Nemobius sylvestris and and walls, with the exception of a unique quarry face located in
Clonopsis gallica. In addition to this community, a new the vicinity of relict natural dalesides.
species of grasshopper from Vendée—Aiolopus strepens— While quarries can cause significant negative impacts on
was discovered at the foot of quarry walls in February 2012 biodiversity, many positive effects can be observed and
(Bétard 2012). From a synsystematic standpoint, this group measured after cessation of quarrying activities, with the
also belongs to the Chorthippion vagantis alliance typical of primary colonization of original plant and animal commu-
woody xeric environments in Western France (at the exclu- nities in relation to new landforms and habitats. Of particu-
sion of dense forests). lar relevance to the aim of this study, the results showed that
Behind the quarry faces, forested dumps are typified by a the varied landforms of the disused quarry today act as
species group dominated by N. sylvestris in the soil litter. refuges for many plant and animal species, some of which
Frondicolous species are also well represented with having high conservation value. The ecological gain is
Meconema thalassinum and Cyrtaspis scutata. Other especially important since it occurs in a grove landscape
Ensifera were regularly found at the schrub and tree matrix (bocage) where biodiversity is low and has been
layers, such as Tettigonia viridissima, L. punctatissima declining for several decades because of the intensification
and P. nana. P. griseoaptera is scarce in this habitat of agricultural practices (use of pesticides, removal of
where it preferentially frequents forest edges. With the hedges, etc.). In detail, the ecological gain seems to be more
presence of characteristic species with southern affini- important for fauna than flora: the diverse landforms of the
ties, this group belongs to submediterranean synusiae of quarry site, and the mosaic arrangement of new biotopes
the Yersinelletali raymondii alliance. occurring within them (wetlands, dry heathlands, rockwalls
Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71 69

and associated debris aprons, etc.), constitute suitable living more adaptive; examples of such species are found within the
conditions for a wide range of animal communities, espe- pioneer Orthoptera community colonising the quarry tile.
cially insects, breeding birds, amphibians and reptiles. The During extraction activities, the perpetual adjustment of
presence of underground cavities also allowed the establish- biological communities to evolving, quarrying landforms is
ment of bat communities, which was not possible in the especially relevant. Constantly newly emerging succession
original geomorphic environment. Furthermore, much of the zones due to the spatial and temporal changes of quarrying
flora specific to natural quartzite dalesides retrieved the sections constitute typical ‘wanderbiotopes’ (Rademacher
conditions of its original habitat on the quarry tiles and and Tränkle 2010). During excavation operations, quarrying
faces, except for a few more vulnerable species, such as R. landforms—especially quarry tiles and walls in large and
bulbocodium and S. vulgaris subsp. bastardii. Finally, the complex sites—are continually renewed, promoting the
structure and diversity of Orthoptera communities well re- ‘wandering’ or displacement of plants and animals from
flect landform heterogeneity in the quarry site, as well as one part of the extraction site to another. Consequently,
development and recovery of ecosystems after anthropogen- neoformed habitats of various age and structure coexist in
ic disturbance and cessation of extraction activities. As such, the quarry site and are closely connected via ecological
Orthoptera communities are good bioindicators of the over- succession process: this is notably the case in the multi-
all biodiversity and ecosystem integrity at the study site. stage quarry tiles of the study site. A typical example of
All things considered, the estimated biodiversity budget autogenic succession in quarries and mines is also provided
(gain–loss) at the site seems highly positive. by Orthoptera communities which closely follow plant
changes during succession process (Picaud and Petit 2007).
Adjustment of Ecosystems to the Neoformed Pattern Furthermore, wet areas occupied by ponds and temporary
of Quarrying Landforms pools, which can appear within a short time during the extrac-
tion process, are often species-rich wanderbiotopes that are
The process by which new biotopes and ecosystems are colonised very quickly by a range of plant and animal com-
connected with the neoformation of quarrying landforms can munities (e.g. amphibians, dragonflies). The same process
be regarded as a remarkable example of adaptation of ecosys- occurs on spoil dumps that are constantly renewed by waste
tems to changing landforms (Corenblit et al. 2008; Reinhardt accumulation. All these wanderbiotopes and associated suc-
et al. 2010), where biological communities have adjusted to cession zones finally promote the development of high struc-
the new habitat conditions offered by the individual landforms tural diversity, thus enabling rare plant and animal species to
produced by quarrying. The adjustment process by which settle in the quarry.
biocenoses adapt to the new quarrying landforms is deter-
mined by primary ecological succession, i.e. successional Implications for Habitat and Nature Conservation in Hard
dynamics beginning with the colonization of a newly exposed Rock Quarries
rock surface created by the excavation. In the study area, plant
succession was naturally influenced by anteriority and the The high conservation potential of the studied quarry site is
proximity of conservation-valuable habitats, e.g. dry siliceous illustrated by a high proportion of rare, red-listed or
heaths and grasslands which make up the reference ecosys- protected species among plant and animal communities. In
tem. In the quarry tiles and walls, the plant succession logi- our study, results showed that the neoformed pattern of
cally began with the colonization of newly exposed rocks by quarrying landforms acts as refuges for many plant and
mosses, lichens and herbaceous plants typical of the above- animal species of high heritage value, especially among
mentioned dry siliceous grasslands. Since 1953 when the vascular plant flora and invertebrate communities. Here, as
extraction site was closed and abandoned, natural plant suc- in other quarry and post-mining sites (Prach and Hobbs
cession in the quarry floor evolved toward a dynamics of 2008; Takeuchi and Shimano 2009; Rufaut and Craw
progressive closing of the vegetation cover, with the develop- 2010; Tropek et al. 2010), spontaneous succession proves
ment of heaths and thickets, and finally the installation of to be an effective restoration tool that enhances biodiversity
pioneer tree species (e.g. Pinus sylvestris, Betula verrucosa, and promotes the settlement of specialized and/or endan-
Populus tremula). However, the capacity of wildlife to be gered species. In many cases, this restoration strategy should
adaptive to such environmental change varies within biolog- be preferred to technical reclamation, consisting of covering
ical communities and individual species. Rare and endemic sites by topsoil or overburden, with the consequence of
plants are poorly or non-adaptive, as shown by the locally eliminating the original landforms created by quarrying. In
extinct R. bulbocodium and the endangered, subendemic S. addition to these biodiversity and conservation benefits,
vulgaris subsp. bastardii. More common and highly produc- spontaneous succession is considerably cheaper and less
tive species with high fecundity and/or dispersion potential are restrictive, only involving minimal mechanical intervention
70 Geoheritage (2013) 5:59–71

and maintenance of early successional stages. Obviously, each analyse landform–ecosystem relations in hard rock quarries,
case is unique, and the best solution to recover a disused whereas most studies in ecogeom orphology—or
quarry depends on several variables related to the characteris- biogeomorphology—deal with the interactions between fluvial
tics of the site and its surroundings. One alternative could or tidal landforms and ecosystems in active sedimentary envi-
consider that natural plant succession would be accelerated by ronments (e.g. Wheaton et al. 2011; Reinhardt et al. 2010;
human intervention, which must set a reference ecosystem in Corenblit et al. 2008; Fisher et al. 2007; Renschler et al.
accordance with the ecological profile of the site. In addition, 2007). Of particular relevance to the aims of this study, the
mining companies are today responsible for the restoration results showed that the diversified patterns of quarrying land-
planning of disused quarries and mines. Compensatory mea- forms strongly influenced the biological assemblages at the
sures are usually demanded, depending on the law in the patch scale of the quarry site. In this case, quarrying acted as
country. In that context, planning authorities should also take a geomorphic process responsible for creating a mosaic of new
into consideration the temporary habitats (wanderbiotopes) landforms and habitats, providing a diversity of ecological
formed during the extraction process, because of the numer- niches adapted to a wide range of plant and animal communi-
ous endangered species that are able to adapt to these ephem- ties that enhance biodiversity. Such dependence between geo-
eral environments. This confirms the need to manage and biodiversity directly reflects the rapid adjustment of bio-
biodiversity in relation to changing landforms and habitats in logical communities to the new habitat conditions offered by
quarries, both during and after extraction activities. individual quarrying landforms. As an environmental paradox,
One restoration technique in disused quarry sites, named while quarrying activities have a negative effect on the conser-
‘landform replication’, consists of creating landforms and vation of ecologically valuable habitats and communities in
ecosystems similar to those found on natural dalesides Europe (Mota et al 1996; Thornton 1996; Ballesteros et al
(Gagen et al. 1993). Reconciling anthropogenic landforms 2012), this man-made process of degradation can stimulate
with their natural analogues is one of the objectives of this biodiversity at disused extractive sites owing to diversified
restoration technique that could enhance biodiversity con- landforms and habitats, as demonstrated with this case study
servation and ecosystem services in disused or abandoned of a quartzite quarry site. Comprehensive research in
quarries (Lundholm and Richardson 2010). For example, in connecting geo- and biodiversity deserves further attention in
the studied quarry site, artificial rockwalls mimic the natural habitat conservation and restoration strategies in post-quarrying
dalesides of siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic veg- sites, with the potential application of landform replication to
etation found in the reference ecosystem—and classified as enhance biodiversity in other disused hard rock quarries.
a habitat type of community importance in the European
Ecological Network, Natura 2000 (European Commission Acknowledgments I am grateful to Joël Gerbaud for his participa-
2007). Given the biodiversity patterns and conservation tion in field investigations, for helpful discussions and for the provision
potential associated to quarrying landforms in the Cheffois of original documents on the history of the quarry site. I would like to
quarry site, an alternative strategy of landform replication acknowledge Michel Clémot for assistance in identifying Orthoptera
and Stéphane Charrier for personal communication on cavernicolous
might consist of replicating the recognized anthropogenic species inventoried in the main subterranean gallery. I thank the service
landforms and habitats in other quartzite quarries character- for environment of the General Council of Vendée, for sending docu-
ized by lower geomorphological heterogeneity and biodi- mentation and authorizing field investigations in the natural protected
versity. In particular, special attention should be drawn to area ENS. Constructive comments by two anonymous referees finally
helped to improve the articulation and the scientific message delivered
quarry walls and associated scree slope deposits (talus in the final version of the manuscript.
cones, debris aprons) whose ecological interest has been
often neglected (Raska et al. 2011). Such uncommon habi-
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