scholarly journals Biodiversity Conservation in Road Projects: Lessons from World Bank Experience in Latin America

2003 ◽  
Vol 1819 (1) ◽  
pp. 198-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Ledec ◽  
Paula J. Posas
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Adverse Impacts ◽  
Road Projects

The unprecedented and irreversible loss of biodiversity in modern times is caused primarily by the elimination or degradation of natural habitats. Because the construction and improvement of roads sometimes lead, directly or indirectly, to the loss and degradation of natural habitats, road construction and biodiversity aims are often at odds. However, many potentially serious conflicts between road projects and biodiversity conservation can be avoided. Induced negative impacts can be minimized by careful project siting. Where some natural habitat loss is inevitable, appropriate mitigation may include establishment of strict protection zones alongside the road or compensatory protected areas elsewhere. Such mitigation requires effective collaboration, for example, between the agencies responsible for roads and protected areas. Direct adverse impacts of road works on biodiversity also can be significant but are generally simpler to avoid or mitigate because they are more fully under the control of road construction agencies, contractors, and concessionaires. Biodiversity loss and environmental damage can be considerably reduced when planners and road construction agencies site roads adjacent to existing railways, pipelines, or transmission lines; practice sound road engineering; maintain good drainage and natural water flows; minimize roadside habitat loss; and exercise care in the siting and design of borrow pits, construction camps, and other complementary facilities. Environmental rules for contractors, including transparent penalties for noncompliance, need to be incorporated in bidding documents and contracts. Ideally, road projects are designed and implemented so as to avoid or compensate adequately for any adverse impacts on natural habitats and biodiversity. Through mitigation measures, potentially controversial projects can even produce significant net environmental benefits—a win-win outcome.

scholarly journals Metodyka waloryzacji przyrodniczej. Część II: Zastosowania w praktyce ocen oddziaływania przedsięwzięć na środowisko

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 75-96
Author(s):  
Piotr Matyjasiak
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Natural Resource ◽  
Proper Time ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Ecological Connectivity ◽  
Resource Service

The aim of this paper is (i) to review the method of valorization of natural resources as applied in the environmental impact assessment, and (ii) to develop recommendations on how valorization expertise should be prepared in order to be comprehensive and transparent. Valorization is the proper time to carry out identi>cation of the possible negative environmental impacts and damages of a planned project. It is recommended to perform valorization due to the state (numbers) and functions (quality) of natural resources. This approach is related to the concept of environmental damage, which is defined as a measurable adverse change in a natural resource or measurable impairment of a natural resource service (which means the functions performed by a natural resource for the benefit of another natural resource or the public). Valorization of natural resources should include an assessment of potential environmental damage, including an impact on the local biodiversity, the ecological connectivity, the N2000 network, and the legally protected areas. The valorization of natural resources should be performed at the following thematic levels focusing on the role of the area under consideration due to: (1) the implementation of the objectives of protection of Nature 2000 network and its overall coherence, (2) the implementation of the objectives of protection of legally protected areas other than N2000, (3) the maintenance of the ecological connectivity in a context other than the coherence of Nature 2000 network, (4) the maintenance of species and natural habitats with favorable conservation status, (5) the conservation of species and natural habitat types that are not legally protected.

Causes of road projects' delays: a case of Blantyre, Malawi

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Duncan John Mwamvani ◽  
Christopher Amoah ◽  
Emma Ayesu-Koranteng
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
City Council ◽  
Public Utility ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Road Project ◽  
Road Projects

PurposeThe study aims to find the causes of road projects implementation delays in Blantyre, one of the four city councils (CCs) in Malawi.Design/methodology/approachThe study followed a qualitative research approach using a Blantyre City Council (BCC) as a case study. This study combined in-depth, face-to-face interviews with councillors, secretariat staff, consultants, and contractors who worked on the city's road projects. Data gathered were analysed using thematic content analysis. Also, some road project documents were examined.FindingsThe findings from the case study revealed the primary cause of road project construction delays as the shortage of engineers in conducting detailed proposed projects surveys resulting in incomplete project scope definition before contractor's procurement. Other identified factors were service providers delaying the removal of existing public utility infrastructure from project sites, client funding issues, scope changes, and client delays in issuing instructions to the contractors during project implementation. Another factor was the shortage of construction equipment and construction materials experienced by some appointed contractors.Research limitations/implicationsOnly road construction projects and stakeholders operating from Blantyre city, Malawi, were contacted for the study; thus, the findings may not be generalizable.Practical implicationsThere is an urgent need to increase technical employees, especially engineers and other critical technical staff such as quantity surveyors in Blantyre. Employees' conditions of service should be conducive to attract qualified people to undertake effective management and assessment of projects before commencement to identify the feasibility of proposed projects to decrease the rate of road construction project delays.Originality/valueThe study has established Blantyre city's core challenges in implementing its road projects seamlessly and has provided mitigation measures for dealing with the shortcomings.

scholarly journals Assessment of Habitat Change Processes within the Oti-Keran-Mandouri Network of Protected Areas in Togo (West Africa) from 1987 to 2013 Using Decision Tree Analysis

Sci ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Aniko Polo-Akpisso ◽  
Kperkouma Wala ◽  
Ouattara Soulemane ◽  
Fousseni Folega ◽  
Koffi Akpagana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Decision Tree ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Habitat Change ◽  
Change Processes ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Land Cover Maps

Biodiversity conservation planning is highly important in the current context of global change. Biodiversity conservation can be achieved by understanding changes in land use at the landscape scale. Such understanding is needed to reverse the unprecedented pressure on natural resources that has been reported by many studies conducted on biodiversity conservation within the Oti-Keran-Mandouri protected areas. Land cover maps reflecting different dates (1987, 2000, and 2013) and depicting different management systems, with overall accuracy ranging from 73% to 79%, were analyzed to understand the processes that lead to habitat degradation within these protected areas. The nature of change, within a given land cover class, was determined by comparing land cover maps on different dates using a decision tree algorithm that compares the number of patches, their areas, and their perimeters at different time periods (T1 and T2). Specifically, two time-periods were considered for this analysis: 1987–2000 and 2000–2013. Croplands and settlements increased at an average of 108.13% and 5.45%, respectively, from 1987 to 2000. From 2000 to 2013, croplands gained from all other land categories and continued to increase at a rate of 11.77% per year, whereas forests and savannas decreased at an annual average rate by 5.79% and 2.32%, respectively. The dominant processes of habitat change from 1987 to 2000 were the creation of forests, dissection of savannas, attrition of wetlands, and creation of croplands. Meanwhile, from 2000 to 2013, there was attrition of forests, as well as attrition of savannas, dissection of wetlands, and aggregation of croplands. In general, from 1987 to 2013, natural habitats regressed and were replaced by croplands; forests, savannas, and wetlands decreased at an average annual percentage 5.74%, 3.94%, and 2.02%, respectively, whereas croplands increased at an average annual rate of 285.39% of their own area. Aggregation, attrition, dissection, and creation were the main habitat change processes identified for the overall period from 1987 to 2013. There was habitat loss in forests and savannas and habitat fragmentation in wetland due to attrition and dissection, respectively. Identifying and understanding habitat change processes would enable the taking of appropriate biodiversity conservation actions.

Exploring critical road project delay factors in Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Teye Amoatey ◽  
Alfred Nii Okanta Ankrah
Keyword(s):  
Road Construction ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Cost Overrun ◽  
Cost Overruns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Road ◽  
Integrated Risk ◽  
Road Project ◽  
Road Projects ◽  
Project Delays

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes of road construction delays in Ghana and identify appropriate mitigation measures. Design/methodology/approach The initial approach involved an empirical analysis of 48 road projects to quantify the extent of time. This was followed by a survey of the perception of road agency and donor partner officials of the critical causes of road project delays. Findings About 70 per cent of road projects experience delays and 52 per cent experience cost overruns. The average time overrun and cost overruns of road projects in Ghana was 17 months and US$1.15m (or 22.5 per cent), respectively. The five most critical causes of road construction delays were delay in finance and payment of completed work by owner (client-related); inadequate contractor experience (contractor-related); changes in scope by the owner during construction (client-related); delay to furnish and deliver the site to the contractor (client-related); and inflexible funding allocation for project items (donor-related). Research limitations/implications The most critical constraint of this study is the fact that findings are based on only the views of industry professional experts. It may be assumed that despite using broadly used terminology to refer to the causes of project delays, the interpretations by respondents may have differed from those intended. Further research could look at the correlation between time overrun and cost overrun using principle component analysis. Practical implications The identified delay factors are not unique to the road sector. From both academic and practical perspectives, the results emphasizes on the need for a holistic and integrated risk management model for the entire construction industry in Ghana. Originality/value The paper examined the causes of road project delays in the Ghanaian context and recommended remedial measures.

Assessment of Habitat Change Processes within theOti-Keran-Mandouri Network of Protected Areas in Togo (West Africa) from 1987 to 2013 Using Decision Tree Analysis

Sci ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Aniko Polo-Akpisso ◽  
Kpérkouma Wala ◽  
Ouattara Soulemane ◽  
Fousseni Foléga ◽  
Koffi Akpagana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Decision Tree ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Habitat Change ◽  
Change Processes ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Land Cover Maps

Biodiversity conservation planning is highly important in the current context of global change. Biodiversity conservation can be achieved by understanding changes in land use at the landscape scale. Such understanding is needed to reverse the unprecedented pressure on natural resources that has been reported by many studies conducted on biodiversity conservation within the Oti-Keran-Mandouri protected areas. Land cover maps reflecting different dates (1987, 2000, and 2013) and depicting different management systems, with overall accuracy ranging from 73% to 79%, were analyzed to understand the processes that lead to habitat degradation within these protected areas. The nature of change, within a given land cover class, was determined by comparing land cover maps on different dates using a decision tree algorithm that compares the number of patches, their areas, and their perimeters at different time periods (T1 and T2). Specifically, two time-periods were considered for this analysis: 1987–2000 and 2000–2013. Croplands and settlements increased at an average of 108.13% and 5.45%, respectively, from 1987 to 2000. From 2000 to 2013, croplands gained from all other land categories and continued to increase at a rate of 11.77% per year, whereas forests and savannas decreased at an annual average rate by 5.79% and 2.32%, respectively. The dominant processes of habitat change from 1987 to 2000 were the creation of forests, dissection of savannas, attrition of wetlands, and creation of croplands. Meanwhile, from 2000 to 2013, there was attrition of forests, as well as attrition of savannas, dissection of wetlands, and aggregation of croplands. In general, from 1987 to 2013, natural habitats regressed and were replaced by croplands; forests, savannas, and wetlands decreased at an average annual percentage 5.74%, 3.94%, and 2.02%, respectively, whereas croplands increased at an average annual rate of 285.39% of their own area. Aggregation, attrition, dissection, and creation were the main habitat change processes identified for the overall period from 1987 to 2013. There was habitat loss in forests and savannas and habitat fragmentation in wetland due to attrition and dissection, respectively. Identifying and understanding habitat change processes would enable the taking of appropriate biodiversity conservation actions.

scholarly journals Mitigating the effects of a road on amphibian migrations: a Scottish case study of road tunnels

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 25-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.D.C. Hill ◽  
C.A. Rossi ◽  
S.O. Petrovan ◽  
M. Hartup ◽  
F. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rana Temporaria ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
The Road ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Road Tunnels

The ever-growing pace of road construction worldwide has become a serious concern for wildlife and natural habitats, resulting in habitat fragmentation and increasing wildlife road fatalities. For amphibians, which are undergoing population declines worldwide, mitigation measures such as road under-passages linked to amphibian-proof fencing may be an effective conservation tool, aiming to reconnect natural habitats and reduce wildlife fatalities. This study assessed the efficacy of road tunnels in a recently developed area by Frankfield Loch, Stepps, North Lanarkshire. Three amphibian tunnels, plus fencing, were put in place during 2010 following the construction of a road in 2006 which separated the loch from a substantial area of marshland, including ponds. In 2015 and 2016, we used custom-made time-lapse cameras within the tunnels to automatically monitor amphibian movements and conducted frog spawn surveys. Numbers of common frogs (Rana temporaria), common toads (Bufo bufo) and newts (Lissotriton spp.) using the tunnels were substantial in both years, though the number of toads decreased significantly between years. We found many frog spawn clumps in the marsh ponds, but rather fewer in the loch. A period of road repair in 2015 was linked with both road mortalities and a change in the pattern of tunnel usage. Additionally, amphibians showed a daily cycle of activity, with nocturnal movements most common. These results indicate important connectivity and usage of both the marsh and the loch, and suggest that this can be effectively sustained through the proper maintenance of tunnels and fencing, which also minimises road mortalities. It remains unknown, however, what proportion of the population crosses the road via the tunnels and how that compares with movements prior to road construction.

New Paradigm for State Department of Transportation Environmental Initiatives: New York State’s Guidelines and Procedures

2000 ◽  
Vol 1702 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary McVoy ◽  
Mark Sengenberger ◽  
Elizabeth Novak
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York State ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
State Department ◽  
Regulatory Compliance ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
New Paradigm

Public-works agencies have an obligation to enhance the environment as opportunities arise. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has developed an environmental initiative to make an affirmative contribution to the environment, using the department’s organizational strengths. The environmental initiative is a paradigm shift applicable to all departments of transportation (DOTs). Conventional reactive regulatory compliance can reduce unnecessary environmental damage and sometimes gain grudging regulatory agency cooperation; however, it is not a positive, satisfying way of doing the people’s work. Through proactive steps, NYSDOT has become an important part of the state’s environmental solution (often at little or no additional cost) and has changed its working relationships with environmental agencies and groups. As these agencies and groups have become partners, instead of adversaries, permit-approval times have improved, mitigation costs have declined, morale has improved, and cost-effective environmental benefits are being realized. Procedures are outlined to apply the engineering capabilities of a DOT to the environmental-stewardship responsibilities shared by all governmental organizations.

Sustainable use of wild plant species: A research bibliography

Social Change ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 204-221
Author(s):  
Ghazala Shahabuddin
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Wild Plant ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Plant Resources ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Field Methods

During the last few decades, there has been a growing realisation that biodiversity conservation cannot be successful without the active involvement of the people living close to and dependent on natural ecosystems for their survival and livelihoods. Consequently, there has been a gradual broadening of the global conservation agenda from strict nature protection to include the sustainable use of natural resources, which is now reflected in governmental policy the world over. However, as conservationists strive today towards the harmonisation of people's needs with biodiversity conservation, one of the most elusive, yet critical, goals for them has been the sustainable extraction of plant resources from the wild. Hundreds of plant species continue to be extracted from natural habitats for use as food, medicine, fuel and fodder in households and for commercial sale, both legally and illegally. As a consequence of unmonitored extraction and over-exploitation, many plant species populations are reported to be declining in the wild. In the face of increasing pressure on forest resources, it has become more important than ever before to devise quantitative management policies for sustainable plant use so that both forests and the livelihoods of millions of rural people who are dependent on them, can be sustained. One of the major stumbling blocks for conservationists in developing countries, who are attempting to design and implement sustainable forest management systems, is the lack of information on the state-of-the-art in this field, especially that relating to field methods, data analysis, data recording and monitoring systems. In order to fill this lacuna, a comprehensive bibliography of studies undertaken so far in the science of sustainable use from terrestrial ecosystems is presented here. The scope of this bibliography includes sustainable

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