Pile of stones #8
- Vivi & António
- Apr 4, 2024
- 1 min read
Stacking rock piles is becoming popular all over the world. Today, they can be found in natural areas, often mistaken for track signals. It's important not to confuse the fact that some trails are actually marked using this ancient technique.
However, creating several piles of rocks in a short area just for aesthetic reasons is another story. They may look beautiful, inoffensive, and attractive for viral social media photos. But they are actually threatening biodiversity.
Everything in nature has its function, and rocks on the ground are no exception. They are important for many species of fauna and flora. For example, they are crucial shelters for many species of insects and reptiles, some of which are highly endangered.
The impact can also be disastrous for plant populations that are sometimes quite specific or endemic to a given region (e.g. rocky areas of Atlantic islands) as they will alter the substrate for the plants or confuse people about which path to follow and thus trample over a larger area.
Finally, these hills can also alter the structure of the soil and expose it to natural elements, which can lead to significant changes such as erosion, landslides or others.
People tend to think that their tiny actions have no effect. It's those who believe they know better.
Don't be fooled, be cooler.
You've been cool'd!
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