Contaminated land – a resource for wildlife: a review and survey of insects on metalliferous mine sites in Cornwall

Adrian Spalding and Chris Haes

It is well known that derelict or contaminated land can be valuable for nature conservation. Contamination can lead to the development of rare wildlife habitats which can be of considerable interest and value, especially in the urban environment. The presence of some plants and animals can indicate the type of contamination present. Studies of metalliferous mining sites in Cornwall have emphasised the importance of bare ground areas for wildlife. Certain easily recognisable insects, such as butterflies, can be used to identify areas of high ecological value, which can be fully assessed by an expert prior to land reclamation or development.

3, 1995

Updated: 09-Jun-2005