The Effects of Strip Mining: Long Term/Short Term
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Wildlife often suffers severely as a result of strip mining. In the short term, all species are either destroyed or displaced from the area of the mine itself. Mining also may have adverse, long-term impacts on wildlife, including impairment of its habitat or native environment. Many animal species cannot adjust to the changes brought on by the land disturbance involved in coal mining. In cases where an important habitat,such as an area used as a primary breeding ground, is destroyed, the species may be eliminated. Unique habitats like cliffs, caves, and old-growth forests may be impossible to restore.
Strip mining also exposes heavy metals and compounds that can alter the pH of runoff and leach into streams. Such pollution can impair the habitat of fish and other aquatic species, thereby reducing population levels. Even where species survive, toxic materials can lower reproduction and growth rates.
Native vegetation in the West has adapted to the arid climate to provide maximum soil stability during drought periods. The diverse native species provide food for animals throughout the year. But because revegetation using native species is often difficult and expensive for mining companies, many operators choose non-native species, which stabilize the soil over the short-term. More often than not, however, these species are not suited to feed native animals and they are usually incapable of long-term self-regeneration.
Strip mining also exposes heavy metals and compounds that can alter the pH of runoff and leach into streams. Such pollution can impair the habitat of fish and other aquatic species, thereby reducing population levels. Even where species survive, toxic materials can lower reproduction and growth rates.
Native vegetation in the West has adapted to the arid climate to provide maximum soil stability during drought periods. The diverse native species provide food for animals throughout the year. But because revegetation using native species is often difficult and expensive for mining companies, many operators choose non-native species, which stabilize the soil over the short-term. More often than not, however, these species are not suited to feed native animals and they are usually incapable of long-term self-regeneration.