Final answer:
An abandoned strip mine will undergo partial natural recovery over time, which is often minimal due to the extensive destruction of the ecosystem. Restoration without human intervention is possible but generally limited, depending on several environmental factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that an abandoned strip mine will partially recover over time without human intervention is True. Recovery is typically minimal because strip mining causes significant disruption to the ecosystem, destroying vegetation and soil layers which can take centuries to recover naturally. Historical evidence does suggest that ecosystems are not completely irreversible and can be restored over long time scales. Yet in the absence of active reclamation efforts, the recovery of biodiversity and ecosystem function in abandoned strip mine areas is often very limited.
Factors such as the proximity of the abandoned site to old-growth forests, protection of seed-dispersing fauna, and lower levels of post-abandonment human disturbance can play a beneficial role in the natural recovery process. Even if mining activities are expected to slow down due to the depletion of easily accessible resources, the impact of past mining on landscapes requires recognition as partially modified landscapes can serve as valuable assets for conservation.