The impacts of quarrying in the Apulian karst (Italy)

Abstract

The karst region of Apulia (S Italy) has been interested for many centuries in quarrying activities, with regard to extraction of the main carbonate rocks that were used as ornamental and building stones, strongly contributing to creation of Apulian architectural styles, from “romanico” in the Bari area to “barocco leccese” farther south. Rocks were quarried not exclusively at the surface, but also through extensive systems of underground quarries. Apart from the negative effects directly derived from quarrying, other effects have to be addressed after extraction, when the sites are abandoned without any reclamation work provided, often becoming illegal landfills. This paper, through selected examples, intends to highlight environmental degradation related to presence of quarries in Apulia, and the frequent mismanagement of karst. In particular, some cases will illustrate destruction of caves (even quite remarkable in size and depth) and loss of the karst landscape.