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Impact Assessment
BIOTA assesses biodiversity values and services for projects of a wide range of activity sectors. Our experience covers several types of studies, such as Baselines, Feasibility Studies, Due Diligence, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Mitigation Hierarchy, among others. BIOTA’s experience allows us to work for a large geographical range, and for several ecosystem types, including terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments, while complying with the required national legislation, as well as with relevant international guidelines (IFC, World Bank, etc.).
Projects
Translocation of freshawater bivalves - MC12n.n Biodiversity offset to achieve No Net Loss, under the frame of the implementation of the Foz Tua Hydroelectric Project
Location: Trás-os-Montes
BIOTA's Client: Gestão da Produção de Energia, S.A.
Final Client: Gestão da Produção de Energia, S.A.
Start Date: 2015
Completion Date: 2018
Components: Freshwater mussels.
Description of the project: The project consisted in freshwater mussels translocation from the future reservoir to upstream in the basin, with the goal of strengthening populations in receptor areas. The work involved scanning and selecting suitable areas, and follow-up monitoring of receptor areas to access the efficacy of the translocation, by quantifying individual survival and growth.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Koudiat Ben Aida, Bounachi, Zaouia and Chachar Dams - Ecological Component
BIOTA's Client: COBA - Consultores de Engenharia e Ambiente, SA.
Final Client: Agence Nationale des Barrages et Transferts (ANBT)
Start Date: 2014
Completion Date: 2015
Description of the project: The work focused on assessing the effects on vegetation, terrestrial and aquatic fauna, natural habitats and biodiversity. The study identified significant impacts, particularly in the area of the future reservoir and surrounding zones, including protected species and sensitive habitats. To address these challenges, mitigation measures, ecological compensation programmes and environmental monitoring actions were proposed, ensuring the conservation of ecosystems and promoting the sustainability of the hydraulic developments.
Critical Habitat Assessment and Biodiversity Action Plan for the El Espino Mining Project
BIOTA's Client: Sociedad Punta del Cobre S.A. (Pucobre)
Final Client: Sociedad Punta del Cobre S.A. (Pucobre)
Start Date: August 2024
Completion Date: August 2025
Description of the project: The project aimed to support the El Espino copper mine (central Chile) through the implementation of a Critical Habitat Assessment (CHA) and the preparation of a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), in accordance with IFC Performance Standard 6. It sought to identify sensitive habitats and species, assess potential impacts, and propose mitigation, compensation, restoration, and monitoring measures, ensuring the conservation of local biodiversity and reducing environmental risks associated with the development of the mining project.
Onshore Baseline in North Mozambique - Ecology Component
Location: Palma, Cabo Delgado Province
BIOTA's Client: CH2MHILL
Final Client: Eni
Start Date: June 2014
Completion Date: August 2015
Description of the project: Field inventory of flora and fauna covering the following communities: vegetation and habitats, terrestrial invertebrates, ichthyofauna, amphibians, reptiles, as well as marine, terrestrial birds, and mammals. Sampling methods included camera-trap surveys, pitfall traps, Tomahawk trapping, bat ultrasound recordings, and both diurnal and nocturnal transects. Ecosystem services were also evaluated.
Environmental Impact Assessment of a Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Mourata and Associated Connection Line - Ecology Component
Location: Estremoz
BIOTA's Client: Strix - Ambiente e Inovação, Lda.
Final Client: Prosolia Portugal, Lda.
Start Date: 2017
Completion Date: 2018
Description of the project: Field assessment of flora and fauna, including flora and habitats, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial birds and mammals. Sampling methods included flora inventory points, fauna transects and bird count points. The development of the ecology component also included assessing impacts on ecological values caused by the Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant and associated connection line.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the Chibuto–Dzimbene Power Transmission Line Project
Location: Gaza Province
BIOTA's Client: Consultec - Consultores Associados, Lda.
Final Client: Electricidade de Moçambique, E.P.
Start Date: February 2021
Completion Date: October 2021
Description of the project: BIOTA delivered the biodiversity and ecosystem services component and conducted the Critical Habitat Assessment in line with IFC Performance Standard 6, as part of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. The 275 kV transmission line runs between the Chibuto and Dzimbene substations, spanning 67 km across Gaza Province.
Technical Note on the Ecological Compatibilization Between a Solar Power Plant and the S. Vincent Wall Geckoo
Location: S. Vicente Island
BIOTA's Client: ProCME
Final Client: ProCME
Start Date: August 2024
Completion Date: September 2024
Description of the project: As part of an environmental and social management plan for the implementation of a photovoltaic power plant, we prepared a technical note on the presence of the São Vicente wall gecko Tarentola substituta, an endemic and protected species in Cape Verde, as well as mitigation and minimisation measures to reconcile the presence of the energy production infrastructure with the occurrence of this species.
Environmental Impact Assessment of the Moatize-Nacala Railway Line
Location: Moatize (Malawi) and Nacala (Mozambique)
BIOTA's Client: COBA - Consultores de Engenharia e Ambiente, SA.
Start Date: March 2010
Completion Date: January 2011
Description of the project: The railway line covered by the Environmental Impact Assessment included the construction of the Eastern section, between Lirangwe (Malawi) and the border with Mozambique, and the rehabilitation of the Western section, between the Mozambique border and Lilongwe (Malawi). The ecological baseline was established through the collection of primary data (fieldwork focused on flora and vertebrate faunal groups) and the compilation of secondary data (literature) on these components, as well as on aquatic biota.
Headquarters
ABC-Apoio de Base à Criatividade
Convento de São Miguel das Gaeiras
2510-718 Gaeiras
Portugal
Office
Rua Carlos Ramos, n.º 9 A
Urbanização Jardim da Amoreira
2620-529 Ramada
Portugal
