Biodiversity is often used as a measure of the health of biological systems. On the other hand, quarrying activity is a necessity that provides much of the materials used in traditional hard flooring. However, like many other man-made activities (anthropogenic factors), these activities cause significant impact on the environment and its biodiversity.
Limestone habitats are often hidden and hard to access, and limestone-restricted species may be unusual and unfamiliar, therefore biodiversity in limestone areas is often harder to detect and study than in some other areas, and is thus often overlooked, including in regional/national surveys and legal designations, and site-level surveys and impact assessments. The objective of the present study is to investigate the impact of quarrying activity in Helwan limestone quarry on biodiversity and habitats, and trying to propose some rehabilitation measures to restore this site.
