Dynamic management of biodiversity in active quarries
UBLG - Workshop mineral extraction ecology 24/11/16
[email protected]
Active quarries: opportunity for nature? Extractive activity
Simulate natural perturbation
Continuous creation of heterogeneous habitats
Creation of Rare ecological conditions (bare soil, poor-nutrients…)
Active quarries: opportunity for nature? Ecological activity
Secondary ecological succession
Opportunity for pioneer species
Active quarries: opportunity for nature? Ecological activity
Secondary succession
Opportunity for pioneer species
Ecological niches for rare, endangered species
Active quarries: opportunity for nature? Wallonia: Exceptional geological diversity
Key facts:
Limestone Chalk Sandstone Porphyry Sand Schist
(Source: Incitec, 2006)
Active quarries: opportunity for nature? Wallonia: Exceptional biological diversity
Key facts:
90% of Eagle-Owls
55% of Sand lizards
94% of Sand martins
Natterjack toad
National nature reserve Humid zone of biological interest Private nature reserve Quarries Natura 2000 Other quarries SGIB
(Source: A. Remacle, 2008)
Active quarries: opportunity for nature?
Quarries play major role in Wallonia:
survival of rare and protected species reinforcement of core populations of species
Contribution to maintenance of regional population
Active quarries: opportunity for nature?
Quarries play major role in Wallonia: Acting as a stepping stone in high-urbanised landscape
Contribution to ecological network connectivity outside or between Natura 2000 sites
Active quarries = opportunity for nature Hosting capacity is closely linked to the extractive activity
→ Maximise hosting of early-stage biodiversity Necessity to define adequate management measures
Dynamic management of biodiversity
Include ecological concerns in extraction planning
Best-practices in day-to-day activities
Avantage of on-site machineries
Dynamic management of biodiversity
Include ecological concerns in extraction planning
Best-practices in day-to-day activities
Avantage of on-site machineries
Dynamic process in line with the extractive planning
Ensuring constant availability of adequate habitats t2
Dynamic management of biodiversity
t0
t1
t2
Extraction Colonization/exchange Temporary nature zone
Dynamic management of biodiversity
Creating habitats for protected species is risky for industry?
The deterioration of habitats of protected species is prohibited
Dynamic management of biodiversity
Finding an incitative legal framework
Initial situation
nature development in an area not intended for nature conservation permission is granted to the owner to remove nature at a future time
Final situation
Dynamic management of biodiversity
New approach : legal guarantees in exchange for additional nature efforts?
Dynamic management of biodiversity
Baseline ≠ zero Necessity of clear baseline monitoring Creation/destruction of temporary habitats permanently available on site Legal flexibility <-> derogation in advance Solutions still need to be found…to avoid missed opportunities for nature conservation on private lands
LIFE in Quarries project [LIFE14 NAT/BE/000364]
Duration:
2015 – 2020
Funding:
5 millions €
Objectives:
- Develop biodiversity in active quarries ; - Establishing legal framework - Raising awareness & communicate
Life In Quarries project How? A Multi-sectorial collaboration
Life In Quarries project
On-site demonstration 2016
Phase I [2015 - 2018] Implementing biodiversity management plans in 14 quarries in Wallonia
2017
Inventories
2018 Monitoring
Phase 1 Tests
Actions
Actions
2019
2020 Monitoring
Life In Quarries project
On-site demonstration
Phase I [2015 - 2018] Implementing biodiversity management plans in 14 quarries in Wallonia
Life In Quarries project
On-site demonstration 2016
•
2017
Inventories
Phase II [2018 – 2020] Confirm biodiversity management plans in at least 12 additional quarries
2018
2019
Monitoring
2020 Monitoring
Phase 1 Tests
Actions
Inventories
Actions
Inventories
Phase 2 Actions
Actions
20
Life In Quarries project
On-site demonstration
•
Phase II [2018 – 2020] Confirm biodiversity management plans in at least 12 additional quarries
Diffusion of good-practises in EU (Fr, De, Nl,…) 21
Life In Quarries project
Communication
To the sector and its stakeholders: Large diffusion of project actions and results
Communication tools : -
Trainings to the management of temporary nature
-
Good practices dissemination
-
Increased public awareness
-
Targeted audiences:
Dissemination at the EU level International workshop
-
Quarries (manager, workers)
-
Stakeholders (authorities, NGO’s, consultants, steering committees,…
-
European extractive industry
-
General public
Thank you for your attention !
Alexandre Sneessens Project Coordinator www.lifeinquarries.eu
