Enhancing ecological connectivity through biodiversity offsets to mitigate impacts on habitats of large mammals in tropical forest environments

IF 1.8 4区社会学 Q3 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal Pub Date : 2022-07-03 DOI:10.1080/14615517.2022.2090086

Josianne Claudia Sales Rosa, P. B. R. Campos, Caroline Bianca Nascimento, Barbara Almeida Souza, Rebeca Valetich, L. E. Sánchez

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引用次数: 5

Abstract

ABSTRACT Habitat loss and fragmentation are ecological impacts of development projects known to have severe effects on mammals’ populations. Here, we study the role of connectivity assessment in Environmental Impact Assessment, focusing on its contribution to determining appropriate mitigation, in particular, biodiversity offsetting. For that purpose, we analysed the dispersal of large mammals in a region potentially influenced by a mine located in the Atlantic rainforest in Brazil and anticipate the long-term outcomes of restoration offsets by modelling a 30-year post-offset scenario. Results show that: (i) offsets enhance ecological connectivity and are used as an alternative habitat for the animals dispersed due to habitat loss and fragmentation; (ii) the location of restoration areas should be carefully planned to maximize their contribution to increase ecological connectivity and enhance habitat quality. The reviewed case suggests that best practices to incorporate connectivity analysis in environmental impact assessment include: (i) monitoring biodiversity to quantify losses and gains; (ii) modelling offset areas alternatives for both protection and restoration; and (iii) conducting rigorous analysis of project alternatives, aiming at impact avoidance.

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通过生物多样性补偿增强生态连通性，以减轻对热带森林环境中大型哺乳动物栖息地的影响

生境丧失和破碎化是开发项目对哺乳动物种群造成严重影响的生态影响。在此，我们研究了连通性评估在环境影响评估中的作用，重点关注其对确定适当的缓解措施，特别是生物多样性抵消的贡献。为此，我们分析了大型哺乳动物在巴西大西洋雨林中可能受到矿山影响的地区的扩散情况，并通过模拟补偿后30年的情景，预测了恢复补偿的长期结果。结果表明:(1)补偿增强了生态连通性，为因生境丧失和破碎化而分散的动物提供了替代栖息地;(ii)应仔细规划修复区的位置，以最大限度地促进生态连通性和改善生境质量。经过审查的案例表明，将连通性分析纳入环境影响评估的最佳做法包括:(i)监测生物多样性以量化损失和收益;(ii)模拟抵消区保护和恢复的备选方案;(iii)对项目备选方案进行严格分析，以避免影响。

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来源期刊

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES-

CiteScore

4.60

自引率

22.70%

发文量

期刊介绍： This is the international, peer-reviewed journal of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA). It covers environmental, social, health and other impact assessments, cost-benefit analysis, technology assessment, and other approaches to anticipating and managing impacts. It has readers in universities, government and public agencies, consultancies, NGOs and elsewhere in over 100 countries. It has editorials, main articles, book reviews, and a professional practice section.