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Biodiversity @ ICL Boulby

At ICL Boulby, in the UK, the primary purpose of the site is mining operations. The infrastructures associated with these operations are a visible part of the local landscape. However, adjacent to the mining site and within ICL’s operational area, are non-developed areas of land where important habitats and species flourish. Most notable are the woodlands at Mines Wood and Ridge Lane Wood, near Dalehouse. These are some of the most wildlife rich woodlands in the Northeast and Yorkshire area. The woodlands are home to a range of invertebrates, birds, and mammals. \

For over a decade ICL Boulby has worked with the Industry Nature Conservation Association (INCA) in monitoring and managing the wildlife which lives near the mine. Key to this process is the Site Biodiversity Action Plan (Site BAP) operated by ICL Boulby within its operational area. The site BAP is designed to conserve the key habitats and species which live at the site and is assisted by INCA annually. 

2021 was an unusual time for weather in the North Yorkshire Moors. With periods of cold, dry weather dominating much of the late autumn to late winter periods. Despite unfavorable weather and the continued challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic presented, ICL along with INCA made substantial progress on the biodiversity action plan. With work continuing throughout 2022, a summary of the activities undertaken on site are as follows:

  • Continuation of monitoring of key environmental indicators on the site: focused on moths and butterflies, and monitoring of protected species, which include the Brown long-eared bat 
  • Suggestions for management of trees and shrubs planted on and around the site with a view to ensure maximum benefit for biodiversity and landscape value
  • Habitat assessment of the areas of mature woodland around the site which will feed into a long-term management plan
  • Compilation of an article to highlight aspects of the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) 
  • Compilation of an annual report detailing biodiversity related activities at ICL Boulby 
  • Reptile surveys are planned for late Summer of 2023, following the discovery of an adder near the site office in 2022. This will provide a better understanding of the use of this part of the site by reptile species which are legally protected.

In addition, and outside of the immediate scope of the site BAP, INCA also gave further advice to ICL Boulby staff in relation to ecological considerations associated with several planned demolition projects, as well as advice regarding repair work on a railway tunnel with potential impact on protected species and guidance on the installation of metal grilles to deter unauthorized access to various tunnels within Mines Wood but which would not impede access to bats.

Survey of Butterflies & Moths

Butterflies and moths are highly sensitive to changes in their environment, including weather. In 2021, the spring through April and May was often dry but cold, which undoubtedly delayed the appearance of some of those species which fly earlier in the year. Moth surveys of the site in recent years have mostly been in the summer, so the opportunity was taken in 2021 to survey those moths which fly in Ridge Lane Wood in the early spring season, in April. In addition to several commoner species, this survey yielded two regionally significant new species for the site, the Pale Pinion Lithophane Socia and the White Marked Cerastis Leucographa. Both are woodland species and in Ridge Lane Wood are most likely to be associated as larvae with the Goat Willows Salix Caprea that grow along the access track which leads through the wood. 

White-letter Hairstreak
White-letter Hairstreak

Assessing the Possibility of a Reintroduction of Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, to Mines Wood

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary Boloria selene was discovered as being resident in the grassland area of Mines Wood on 24 June 2016. It was an exciting development for the Site BAP as this new colonist to the site is a UK BAP Priority Species and has undergone a severe decline in England. Unfortunately, it was subsequently found that spoil had been deposited during the winter of 2016-7 on the very area where the butterfly had been found. This was during archaeological excavations of an adjacent site. The butterfly overwinters as a small caterpillar, feeding on Common Dog violet Viola Riviniana and other violet species which grow in the area affected.

Surveys were undertaken in suitable weather in the emergence period of the butterfly (mid-June to mid-July) in 2017 to 2019 inclusive, to ascertain if the species had survived, but these were to no avail. 

Although the spoil deposition had almost certainly destroyed the initial breeding area, investigation has shown that violets occur across the grasslands within the site. It should therefore be possible to re-introduce the butterfly to suitable areas of the site so that it may become firmly established outside of its main breeding areas in the region, which are on the North York Moors (the nearest known breeding colony is at Scaling Dam). With staff at ICL Boulby supportive of this concept, an initial recce of the site was undertaken in June 2021 and accompanied by Dave Wainwright, Senior Regional Manager for Northern England of the charity, Butterfly Conservation. He agreed with the feasibility of such a project and would work with INCA and ICL Boulby to that effect. 

The reintroduction is now scheduled to take place in Summer 2023, with assistance from the Forestry Commission in sourcing a donor site for this species.

ICL Boulby & Biodiversity Net Gain 

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, the UK Government committed to maintain its focus on environmental protection in its various forms. This led ultimately to the Environment Act, which passed onto UK law on November 9, 2021. This act covers a range of themes which include halting species decline and enhancing our natural environment. 

Central to the aim of enhancing our natural environment is the concept of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) which is due to be mandatory from November 2023. This relates to planned development activity, such as plant construction or deconstruction, and requires that any such development achieves a 10% uplift in biodiversity value, compared to the pre-   development period, using a calculated metric to measure this objectively. This process therefore involves identification of habitat creation/enhancement projects which satisfy the BNG needs for the development of a site. Discussions have taken place during 2021 to educate ICL Boulby about this new process and how it might link with the Site Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). INCA undertook some initial investigations of largely agricultural land around the site in the Spring of 2021, in this respect.

The concept of BNG will undoubtedly help to reverse biodiversity loss locally, but one drawback of the process is that it applies only to habitats and not to individual species. Whilst enhanced habitats will undoubtedly benefit some species, other species have more specialized requirements which might not necessarily be met. It’s therefore       important to recognize that the Site BAP remains a significant mechanism in       highlighting the importance of key species on the site, and to target measures to retain the habitats that support them in good condition. Indeed, the Site BAP continues to show benefits for a variety of specialized flora and fauna, irrespective of the formal Net Gain process, ranging from butterflies, to orchids, to nesting birds and important grassland mammals such as Brown Hare. The plan therefore remains an important facet in demonstrating ICL Boulby’s commitment to the environment as well as contributing significantly to the recovery of biodiversity in our sub-region.

Early Purple Orchid

Grassland Management 

It was advised during the 2021 season, regarding grassland management, that the removal of encroaching scrub vegetation in the Mines Wood grasslands, was required. The main issues were prominent in Bramble, Dog Rose, and Hawthorn. Having identified the plants that required removal, ICL Boulby took on the responsibility of the work to cut and compost the encroaching scrub. Such work will maintain these grasslands in good condition, not least for many of the important invertebrate species such as bees and butterflies that use them. The degree of encroachment will be monitored by INCA and ICL.

Mammals 

An inspection of the abandoned Mines Wood mineral line tunnel in 2023 identified 2 Brown long-eared bat, which were hibernating within artificial roost boxes. This demonstrates the continued use of this habitat and support of this species in the wider environment.

Marine Monitoring

Historical discharge of insoluble mining waste (mine tailings) from the ICL Boulby Mine      led to the localized accumulation of some insoluble material in the sediments of the Boulby sand patch. Ecological surveys have been performed annually by ICL Boulby to assess the extent of accumulation of this material and to monitor its environmental impact, including the impact of any compensatory dredging activity. Annual ecological monitoring surveys have been conducted since 1970, enabling comparison of historical data and the determination of long-term trends. Annual monitoring results are reviewed by the Boulby Mine Working Group (BMWG) composed of representatives from ICL, Ramboll, survey teams, local authorities and the Environment Agency.

The overall ecological impact at Boulby is substantially less than in 1990.

The 2019 Benthic Survey showed a reduction in overall species diversity compared to 2018. However, this species reduction was found not only at the tailing’s outfall, but also at the local reference stations, indicating that wider environmental factors may be influencing these changes. 

The Boulby Mine working group categorizes sample stations as impacted, intermediate (A) and (B) and sparse, offshore background. This rating system showed an overall lower impact based on their criteria in 2019. In terms of severity, the overall ecological impact at Boulby is substantially less than in 1990.

The Boulby Mine discharge continues to influence the sediment physico-chemical composition at stations within the Boulby sand patch, which is reflected in the benthic macrofauna communities. However, compared with 2017 a decrease in the silt-clay fraction was recorded, determining a change in the benthic fauna composition towards species found in coarser sediments. The influence is mainly from sediment physico-chemical parameters, such as particle size rather than direct toxicity since metal contaminant concentrations in sediment are generally below TEL threshold values indicative of no or low biological effect.



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