The proposal to transform an old limestone quarry into a botanical garden with a rainforest zone: a case study

Nowadays, a significant part of cities is tackling the problems with post-mining areas. This manuscript is an original research which shows possibilities of their reclamation. The aim of the article is to present the proposal of developing the closed limestone quarry and creating a botanical garden. The proposed spatial solutions allow for creating a new, tourist and recreation space, maintaining the natural heritage. The work also assumed carrying out a dendrological inventory, in order to determine the existing dendrofl ora. The required spatial, nature and communication analyses, which illustrate the current condition of the area and defi ne further design works, have also been carried out. The main idea of the project was to maintain the particular biodiversity, combined with regional culture and its continuous development. This type of assumption aims not only at protection of endangered species. It also has a great role in shaping the awareness of natural environment of various social groups. The creation of a rainforest substitute in the Opole Botanical Garden was possible through selection of the existing afforestation, considering its adaptation as well as through liquidation and introduction of new trees, shrubs, perennial and climbing plants, which shall emphasise the tropical landscape type by their shapes, texture and colours. The project includes many elements, which reflect the general image of humid rainforests. The planned vegetation in connection with the appropriately selected architecture shall undoubtedly influence visitors’ senses, transferring them to the ‘wild’ and mysterious part of the world

Fruit Trees and Bushes as a Biodiversity Element in the “Górażdże” Quarry Reclaimed Areas

The assumption of biological land reclamation in the forest direction is to introduce trees and shrubs on the reclaimed area so as to bring it as close as possible to the natural state based on the species characteristic for forest communities. While assessing the concept of biodiversity resulting from the naturalistic approach to the forest as a timeless good, it is necessary to take into account the diversity of plantings used and their multifunctionality. One of the functions is to designate crops for utility purposes, by creating a natural undergrowth, birdhouses, forest fringe plantings and enclaves of edible fruit plants. As part of the research, implementing the biodiversity of midforest plantings in the post-mining areas of the “Górażdże” Limestone Mine (Opolskie Voivodeship), the focus was put on the natural renewal of the tree stand with the admixture of fruiting plants. The application of fruit tree and shrub plantings on relatively small areas allowed the creation of areas of high biodiversity on the recultivated monoculture grounds. The results of the research revealed a relatively high efficiency of the planted trees and shrubs regardless of the existing habitat conditions. The following species had the best health status throughout the vegetation period: apple-tree, common pear, briar-rose, blackthorn and singleseed hawthorn. The use of fruit tree and shrub plantings will contribute, on the one hand, to reducing the costs of reclamation, which is a measurable effect for the mine manager, and strengthening the ecological potential of the new biotope created under the conditions of strong anthropogenic pressure on the other

Fruit Trees and Bushes as a Biodiversity Element in the “Górażdże” Quarry Reclaimed Areas

The assumption of biological land reclamation in the forest direction is to introduce trees and shrubs on the reclaimed area so as to bring it as close as possible to the natural state based on species characteristic for forest communities. When assessing the concept of biodiversity resulting from the naturalistic approach to the forest as a timeless good, it is necessary to take into account the diversity of plantings used and their multifunctionality. One of the functions is to designate crops for utility purposes, by creating a natural undergrowth, birdhouses, forest fringe plantings and enclaves of edible fruit plants. As part of the research, implementing the biodiversity of mid-forest plantings in the post-mining areas of the "Górażdże" Limestone Mine (Opolskie Voivodeship), the focus was on the natural renewal of the tree stand with the admixture of fruiting plants. The application of fruit tree and shrub plantings on relatively small areas has allowed the creation of areas of high biodiversity on the recultivated monoculture grounds. The results of the research revealed a relatively high efficiency of planted trees and shrubs regardless of the existing habitat conditions. The following species had the best health status throughout the vegetation period: apple-tree, common pear, briar-rose, blackthorn and singleseed hawthorn. The use of fruit tree and shrub plantings will contribute, on the one hand, to reducing the costs of reclamation, which is a measurable effect for the mine manager, and on the other hand, will strengthen the ecological potential of the new biotope created under the conditions of strong anthropopressure