“Heaps of stones have become a veritable plague in practically all points of interest in our country. We believe that those who make them have no idea of the impact”, say Meteorology and environment bloggers, Meteo Trás os Montes.
Almost everyone has come across the following scenario: a set of stones stacked on top of each other in nature, the so-called “mariolas”. There are, however, several reasons why this practice should not be adopted.
The trend of placing stone on stone as if it were a pyramid was originally used for purposes other than aesthetic or leisure.
The “mariolas” which consist of small piles of stones “have, in a mountain environment, the traditional function of marking the correct direction on walking paths. Reproducing them randomly renders the essential function of the originals useless”, explains Meteo Trás os Montes – Portugal on their Facebook page.
“The piles of stones have become a veritable plague in practically all points of interest in our country. We believe that those who build them have no idea of the impact that these structures have on habitats, but the impacts exist and they are not good.”
The reasons given by Meteo Trás os Montes – Portugal for not doing so are:
1- Leaves the soil exposed to strong winds, evaporation and erosion;
2- Protects vegetation from wind and sun;
3- Modify or habitat of endemic fauna;
4- Changes the ecological balance of the habitat and protected landscapes;
5- Leaves a deep human mark on the natural landscape;
6- The precarious balance of the piles makes them dangerous for animals or children who come close to them.
So, now you know!
