Why should we not pile stones in natural places?

Scientists are lifting stones from the ground and stacking them on top of each other, as the Supreme Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), which participated in an international study on the subject, recently warned. harms various animal and plant species, some of which are in danger of extinction..

In an article published in the scientific journal Human-Wildlife Interactionsscientists noticed two years ago these mounds appeared in numerous protected areas, both in Spain and in the rest of the world, thanks to the spread of this tradition allowed by social networks. While specific cases have been noted in Spain in the Balearic and Canary Islands, the truth is that there is no place (especially on the coast) where the aforementioned mounds do not appear.

Beneath the stones there is a life attached to them

So what does the damage they cause consist of? According to scientists, these structures Changing the habitats of animal and plant species that use rocks as shelters or depend on associated microclimatic conditions. In fact, we’ve all seen that when picking up a stone from the ground, it’s usually the homes of insects, spiders or other small animals (worms, ‘ball bugs’ etc.) underneath it.

Creating isolated stones Special temperature and humidity conditions are key for species such as insects, snails and spiders. And The arrangement of the stones affects the dynamics between predators and prey or competitors..

“This treacherous practice have mainly related to the impact in arid areas, that these microclimatic conditions are necessary for species that take shelter under stones. They also erode the soil and damage vegetation. So moving, removing or breaking these stones can cause an imbalance in the ecosystem,” says Anna Traveset, a CSIC researcher at the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (a joint center of CSIC and Universitat de les Illes Balears). ).

The scientists explain the potential impact of this practice and point to some areas where detrimental effects on biota have been confirmed. On the island of Madeira (Portugal), habitat degradation associated with the construction of rock mounds is a threat to a few endemic species with very small distributions, such as kelp species. Atlantic Riccia, “critically endangered,” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Endemic lizards of Madeira (teira dugesii) or those in the Balearic Islands and Pitiusas, Podarcis lilford And Podarcis pytiusensisThey in turn depend on these rocks for shelter alongside other endemic invertebrate species.

“Don’t let the stones move”

“There are several species that depend on these stones for shelter. For this reason, we ask those who visit sensitive nature protection areas not to move these stones. Follow the instructions and try to reduce its impact as much as possible. The consequences of seemingly harmless activities such as the construction of these piles of stones in areas with sensitive and threatened species are not easy to predict,” Traveset warns.

The researchers are asking the authorities to impose restrictions on the construction of these structures and dismantle existing ones so as not to encourage new ones. “Actually, this vulgar fashion imported from other cultures, Serious attack on the environment and landscape of natural areas” highlights the CSIC researcher.

There are cases where the problem has grown so much that city councils and other governments are starting to issue fines for piling stones in natural areas. This was the case with the Camariñas (A Coruña) City Council a few years ago. large fines (up to 6,000 euros) for those who make these apps.

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Contact details of the environment department: crisisclimatica@prensaiberica.es