Integrating Biodiversity Conservation into Oil and Gas ... - EBI

BOX 16. DEVELOPING BIODIVERSITY INDICATORS: A HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE
The following is an example of the application of the nine-step methodology for developing biodiversity indicators
discussed in this section:
1. Desktop assessment: The principal stakeholders have been clearly identified for the consultation process. Biodiversity
values have been established through discussions with local indigenous people and academics and through a review of
published literature. Based on a desktop risk assessment and available literature, the company decides that indicators are
required to monitor impact and actions and draws up a list of potential impacts. Major pathways linking the operation to
the habitat have been identified as air, surface water, noise, vibration and possible disposal and subsequent dispersal of
solid wastes.
2. Establishing a baseline: Habitat quality and species in the area that local indigenous people say has been affected by
the oil operation are compared with that in another, similar area that is remote from the operation and human influence.
This second area is used as a baseline. Studies by external experts and information from local people indicate that there
is no significant difference with respect to habitat quality between the two areas, but there is a significant decrease in
animal numbers in the area adjacent to the operation.
3. Focusing on significant impacts: The baseline studies indicate that only land-based animals appear to be affected,
so the process focuses in on air, noise, vibration and dispersion of wastes, rather than water-based pathways. Further
studies indicate that there is no significant air or soil pollution but that there is significant noise and vibration within one
mile of the project boundary. Relevant experts conclude from existing studies that although noise is unlikely to affect the
animals, the vibration may deter the presence of certain species, leading to reduced mating and reproduction. Based on
this information, the company sets a preliminary target of returning populations of affected species to 90 percent of the
baseline recorded in the control area within six months.
4. Generating a list of site-level indicators: The company determines that potential biodiversity indicators include ratio
of species numbers per hectare and ratio of mating pairs in both the affected area and baseline area for each impacted
species. However, because it might take longer than six months to collect the relevant data, the company also chooses
additional indirect indicators – percentage decline in vibration magnitude at the site boundary and one mile into the
affected area – to use in the short term.
5. Choosing site-level indicators: Based on consultations with local communities, the company determines that the most
appropriate indicator is the ratio of species numbers per hectare, rather than the ratio of mating pairs. It also agrees
with the community to use the indirect indicator of vibration magnitude to begin immediately modifying its activities and
reduce impacts on affected species.
6. Generating company-level indicators: The outcome of the process of indicator generation and activity modification is
integrated into an overall assessment of performance at this specific site.
7. Monitoring of impacts: The company monitors vibration frequency and magnitude at the site boundary and one mile
into the affected area and compares data with targets set in step 4 for the first eight months, after which it has acquired
sufficient monitoring capacity and data to switch to the direct indicator.
8. Reporting performance: The company uses indirect and direct indicators to report against targets internally, to
determine progress and modifications required for remedial and preventative measures to achieve those targets. At 12
months, the indicators are also used to formally report to the local community.
9. Reviewing and modifying: Within the first three months the company begins to modify its activities, resulting in a
reduction of vibration by 65 percent (just below the three-month target of 70 percent). Within the following three months,
further work to reduce vibration enables it to meet its overall target of 85-percent reduction at six months. At the
same time, the company begins to develop and implement the capacity to monitor species numbers and, by 12 months,
monitoring reveals that the population in the affected area has recovered to 95 percent of that in the control area.
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Integrating Biodiversity Conservation into Oil and Gas Development