Biodiversity in unexpected places

In some sites featured in this book, coal was still being mined until just a few years ago, and in others tanks were driving through the countryside. What reeked of death and destruction has now become a source of hope, as these kinds of areas provide excellent ecological niches and habitats for the survival of rare insect, amphibian and bird species.

It is thanks to the Heinz Sielmann Foundation, that it has been possible for man-made areas to become hotspots of biodiversity and to be preserved as such. This high-quality book, with a wealth of stunning photos, introduces us to some of these treasure troves, tells the stories of their species-rich flora and fauna and discusses key nature conservation issues.