Effect of Industrial Activities Vis-à-Vis Ecological Imbalance–Sustainability Perspective

Abstract

Industrial mining operations and associated activities cause adverse and sometimes irrevocable harm to ecosystems. Uncontrolled quarrying impacts the local geology and vegetation, thus it is important to examine local tree varieties, also known as alpha diversity, and species turnover over landscape gradients, known as beta diversity. This has prompted a review of three important issues: 1) How has mining affected the region's alpha and beta diversity? 2) How can floral changes along altitudinal gradients impact the composition of tree communities? and 3) Factors able to forecast changes in the environmental sustainability? A case study analysis was conducted to address these questions with the estimation of the significance value index for pioneer and successional tree species, utilizing certain phytosociological characteristics. The findings of the study indicated a limited range of species variety and carbon storage across three distinct elevation gradients, specifically those exceeding 450 m, those at precisely 450 m, and below 450 m. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the implementation of management strategies aiming to achieve sustainable practices in industrial operations. Additionally, it will contribute to multidisciplinary environmental sustainability science by employing scientific ecosystem analysis as a framework.