Industrial Development and the Conservation of Vascular Plants, with Special Reference to Britain

Abstract

This paper, which has been nearly a decade in gestation, describes the contribution that industrial development makes to the conservation of wild plants in Britain. It challenges the priorities of the British conservation movement in concentrating its efforts on rare species and habitats, on the creation of Nature reserves, and on the maintenance of rare species as rare species. A more positive approach is now advocated, stressing the need to prevent common species from becoming rare, the creation of new habitats, and the propagation and reintroduction of uncommon species.Whilst species conservation is relatively easy to justify and comprehend, habitat conservation is considerably more difficult. ‘Industrial habitats’ may be defined as those derived from any industrial process (including transport routes). Such habitats are characterized by a complex association and interaction of slope, aspect, drainage, nutrient status, and the chemical and physical characteristics of the skeletal soils—all of which are apt to change markedly over very short distances. In addition they are generally open, lack stability, do not receive frequent applications of fertilizer and/or herbicide, and are often inaccessible or well protected.