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introduction | codes of conduct | social audits | socially responsible investment | health & safety | managing environmental impacts | community involvement | environmental auditing | voluntary agreements | reporting


Environmental Auditing

CASE STUDY 1

The 'Chambeon - Ecopole du Forez' programme is part of the European project Ecozone, which aims at protecting 15 km of the Loire river.

The objective was to set up a bird protection area. However, due to its successful development, the ecopole progressively became the environmental and educational showroom of the whole Ecozone project.

The programme of ecological rehabilitation and environmental auditing was initiated by the association FRAPNA-Loire in 1987. It was supported by regional authorities, by the French Ministry of Environment and by companies including Morillon-Corvol. It was opened to the public in 1993.

The 'Ecopole du Forez' consists of 3 water surfaces designed after sand & gravel extraction operations, which started in 1973 and ended in 1990. It represents 52 hectares, which is flooded by the Loire River at certain times during the year.

ECOLOGICAL SURVEY - FLORA AND FAUNA

An audit was carried out in 1996: 240 vegetal species have been identified, including 19 rare and 6 protected ones, all evolving in aquatic and humid areas. 55 bird species were also identified in the site.


SITE ASSESSMENT

The 'Ecopole du Forez' site has a high ecological interest compared to other water zones in the area. Migration of species and birds, which stay during the winter season, are the two key features, if we consider the quantity of species and the size of each group. For instance, the fact that the 'Grand Cormorans' or the ' Canards chapeaux' stay in the zone during the winter is remarkable. The site also offers an interest for insects, reptiles and frog-related species.


STRENGTHS

  • Restoration has been carefully designed to keep and enhance the ecological status of the site. For instance, curved banks and shallow flooded zones (with double and triple banks) have enabled vegetation growth favorable to specific fauna and flora.
  • The size of water surfaces and their maintenance has also contributed to attract and keep on site many bird species.
  • The proximity of the Loire River, which leads to regular floods, favors exchanges of vegetal and animal species as well as renewal of soils.
  • The location along a migration route is a particular advantage.


WEAKNESSES

  • The shortage of reed zones explains the fact that particular species such as heron or harrier are not present.
  • The lack of deep-water surfaces and islets leads to the absence of certain vegetal species.
  • The micro-cliff, which has been abandoned by kingfishers and sand martins, does not evolve in a favorable way.
  • Water quality is negatively affected by fertilizers and pesticides from farming activities in the nearby area.


PROPOSALS FOR SITE IMPROVEMENT

In order to address the identified deficiencies, the following actions have been implemented:

  • The number of banks to favor the growth of reed has been increased
  • Deep water surface have been created
  • Non-wooded islets in order to attract black-headed gull have been built as well as a wooded islet to attract herons

Access to the general public will need to be better monitored and controlled, especially in the heron zone.



CASE STUDY 2

In a second environmental auditing initiative, the Austrian Building Materials and Ceramic Industry has collaborated with the Worldwide Fund for Nature on model projects aimed at protecting the endangered species that find replacement habitats in quarries, sand and gravel pits. Thanks to this cooperation it has been possible to launch six environmentally audited projects, designed to conserve Bee Eaters, Eagle Owls, Natterjack and Green Toads, Stone Curlews and Dragon Flies, at a number of sites. The purpose of the projects is to improve these species' habitats, resulting in increased population densities.


THE STONE CURLEW FINDS A NEW REFUGE

The Stone Curlew, a rare running bird, sensitive to disturbance, has found its last refuge in Lower Austria. Sand and gravel pits are an ideal replacement habitat for the ground nester. Thanks to the stone curlew conservation project, dry gravel surfaces are being kept free of shrubs and brushwood and fenced off to prevent disturbance so that the stone curlew can have this last chance of survival. It is one of Austria's rarest birds with 10-12 breeding pairs remaining.


THE BEE EATER CONSERVATION PROGRAMME SAFEGUARDING POPULATIONS

This highly endangered species comes to Austria in mid-May to breed. Its traditional open country nesting sites have become rarer and so it depends on sites such as sand, clay and gravel pits where it has successfully colonized the steep man-made slopes.

The Bee Eaters' nursery at the Hundsheimer Berg nature reserve has been successfully restored in cooperation with the WWF and the birds are breeding. It is now possible to observe the birds in the wild, thanks to the construction of a visitors' hide.


THE NATTERJACK AND GREEN TOAD - SENSITIVE AMPHIBIANS WHICH ONLY THRIVE IN AN IDEAL ENVIRONMENT

The Natterjack Toad, the most endangered Austrian amphibian, was saved from extinction by a model project in Lower Austria, which shelters the last Austrian populations. A gravel company has helped protect and expand the toads' spawning waters - an important first step towards conserving this species.

Particular care is being devoted to the green toad - a species that requires warm conditions- at a Carinthian gravel pit. Specially created spawning pools are regularly checked so that rapid action can be taken to save the tadpoles during droughts. The stocks of amphibians are now safe thanks to these ideal conditions.


THE EAGLE OWL FINDS AN IDEAL HABITAT IN A QUARRY

The Eagle Owl, the largest member of the owl family in Austria is recognized as a potentially endangered species. These owls usually nest in undisturbed rocky areas and an Upper Austrian quarry has now become a home for the species. Preventing disturbance and improving the feeding possibilities for the birds has resulted in a number of successful broods.


THE CREATION OF NEW POOLS IS HELPING THE DRAGONFLY

Small biotopes are being created to provide the Dragonfly with the pools they use as their habitats. Fifteen school classes across Austria are helping in this activity to protect this endangered species and children are also gaining from this project.
introduction | codes of conduct | social audits | socially responsible investment | health & safety | managing environmental impacts | community involvement | environmental auditing | voluntary agreements | reporting

 
 
     
   
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