DOCSLIB.ORG

The Ecological Offset on the BPL HSL, a French Linear Railway Infrastructure – Eiffage, France - a Case Study (2018)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Ecological Offset on the BPL HSL, a French Linear Railway Infrastructure – Eiffage, France - a Case Study (2018) The Ecological Offset on the BPL tttANNE INSERT NEW COVER IMAGE PLEASE HSL, a French Linear Railway Infrastructure ________________________________________________ Eiffage, France – A Case Study (2018) 2 Publication Data Title: The ecological offset on the BPL HSL, a French linear railway infrastructure – Eiffage, France - A Case Study (2018) Key words: Mitigation hierarchy, Compensation, Biodiversity, Linear infrastructure, Railway, High-speed line, BBOP standard Authors: Clément Bourge, Marion Aubrat (Eiffage) Acknowledgements: We thank the following individuals for their comments and suggestions: Amrei von Hase, Kerry ten Kate, Joachim Lémeri, Laure-Hélène Candelier and Halya Odolant. We’d also like to address a special thank to Dervenn for their help concerning the data collection of the compensation. About Eiffage Eiffage is one of Europe's leading construction and concessions companies. The Group's business activities include: construction, real estate and urban development, civil engineering, metal, roads, energy and concessions. Unique by nature, universal by vocation, Eiffage is based on a structural balance between the Construction and Concessions businesses. Its multiple areas of expertise allow it to propose innovative solutions and to fund, design, construct, operate and maintain buildings, sites and infrastructures in France and throughout the world. Thanks to the experience of more than 65,000 employees, Eiffage generated €15 billion in 2017, 21% of which came from other countries. The Eiffage Group joined the Business and Biodiversity Offsets Programme (BBOP) in 2013. Available from https://www.eiffage.com/en/home See also http://www.developpementdurable.eiffage.com/en/ About the project The Bretagne-Pays de La Loire High Speed Rail Line (BPL HSL) is a 182 km high speed railway junction between Le Mans and Rennes situated in the west of France. It is the Eiffage Group’s most extensive project. Eiffage was entrusted with the final design, construction and maintenance of the railway in 2011 and until 2036 is engaged in a public-private partnership agreement with the SNCF Réseau (formerly the RFF), which manages the French rail network. Available from http://www.ere-lgv-bpl.com/home The Ecological Offset on the BPL HSL, a French Linear Railway Infrastructure. Eiffage, France – A Case Study (2018) Business and Biodiversity Offsets Programme (BBOP). 2018. BBOP, Washington, D.C. © Forest Trends – Eiffage 2018. Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission from the copyright holder. Cover and graphic design by Rima Design and Forest Trends Photos by ©Gaël Arnaud and ©Dervenn Date of publication: November 2018 4 Abstract The Bretagne-Pays de la Loire (BPL) high-speed railway line’s application of the mitigation hierarchy, including biodiversity offsets, has benefitted from almost 20 years of planning, assessment and optimisation of mitigation measures to limit impacts on biodiversity. The project’s aim was to follow best practice and goes beyond the requirements in the 2012 French regulation (Mitigation Doctrine, 2012). This case study explains and demonstrates the project’s key avoidance, minimisation and compensation measures. In particular, the case study details the predicted residual impacts and associated compensation requirements for all species and habitat types listed in relevant water and protected species legislation. It also sets out the kinds of compensation measures being implemented, where and how they are taking place and how monitoring is undertaken. The outcome of an assessment of the BPL project relative to the 10 BBOP principles is summarized. This work was done to see whether the project could meet international standards for No Net Loss and identify lessons learnt and areas for improving mitigation practice in future Eiffage projects in France and internationally. 5 Table of Contents PUBLICATION DATA ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2 ABOUT EIFFAGE .............................................................................................................................................................................. 2 ABOUT THE PROJECT .................................................................................................................................................................... 2 ABSTRACT......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5 TABLE OF ILLUSTRATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 TABLE OF ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................................................................... 8 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 10 1. THE FIRST STEPS OF THE APPLICATION OF THE MITIGATION HIERARCHY TO THE BPL PROJECT : AVOIDANCE AND MINIMIZATION ................................................................................................................................................................... 14 1.1 Early stages avoidance ............................................................................................................................. 14 1.2 To know the potential impacts of the project on biodiversity is to mitigate them better ......................... 16 1.3 Ecological continuities analysis and the establishment of the Key Biodiversity Components (KBC) .......... 16 1.4 Detailed studies ....................................................................................................................................... 17 1.5 Avoidance: The choice of a path of least impact ....................................................................................... 18 1.6 Minimization ............................................................................................................................................ 18 1.7 Residual impact and offset requirement assessment ............................................................................... 19 1.7.1 For protected species .................................................................................................................................. 19 1.7.2 For protected areas ..................................................................................................................................... 21 2. THE OFFSET REQUIREMENT ............................................................................................................................................. 23 2.1 General principles .................................................................................................................................... 23 2.2 Risks that the residual impacts cannot be offset ...................................................................................... 24 2.3 Offset measures ....................................................................................................................................... 24 2.4 Offset on-site intensification .................................................................................................................... 24 2.4.1 Fungibility concept: intensive compensation over land consumption ........................................................ 25 2.4.2 Biological complementarities ...................................................................................................................... 26 2.5 Site selection ............................................................................................................................................ 27 6 2.5.1 Anticipation ................................................................................................................................................. 27 2.5.2 Land securing strategy................................................................................................................................. 27 2.5.3 Sites secured ............................................................................................................................................... 29 3. OFFSET IMPLEMENTATION AND SURVEY ...................................................................................................................... 31 3.1 PAOG (development, orientation and management plan)........................................................................ 31 3.2 Offset works ............................................................................................................................................. 31 3.3 Effective implementation of the offset requirement ................................................................................ 32 3.4 Long-term management
Load more

Recommended publications
  • <I>Ichthyosaura Alpestris</I>
    Volume 26 (January 2016), 49–56 FULL PAPER Herpetological Journal Published by the British Provenance of Ichthyosaura alpestris (Caudata: Herpetological Society Salamandridae) introductions to France and New Zealand assessed by mitochondrial DNA analysis Jan W. Arntzen1, Tania M. King2, Mathieu Denoël3, Iñigo Martínez-Solano4,5 & Graham P. Wallis2 1Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands 2Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand 3Behavioural Biology Unit, Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution, University of Liège, Quai van Beneden 22, 4020 Liège, Belgium 4CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, s/n 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal 5(present address) Ecology, Evolution, and Development Group, Department of Wetland Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, c/ Americo Vespucio, s/n, 41092, Seville, Spain The last century has seen an unparalleled movement of species around the planet as a direct result of human activity, which has been a major contributor to the biodiversity crisis. Amphibians represent a particularly vulnerable group, exacerbated by the devastating effects of chytrid fungi. We report the malicious translocation and establishment of the alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) to its virtual antipode in North Island of New Zealand. We use network analysis of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes to identify the original source population as I. a. apuana from Tuscany, Italy. Additionally, a population in southern France, presumed to be introduced, is identified as I. a. alpestris from western Europe. However, the presence of two differentiated haplotypes suggests a mixed origin.
    [Show full text]
  • Landbird Habitat Conservation Strategy – 2020 Revision
    Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture Landbird Habitat Conservation Strategy – 2020 Revision Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture Landbird Habitat Conservation Strategy – 2020 Revision Joint Venture Landbird Committee Members: Kelly VanBeek, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Migratory Birds), Co-chair Chris Tonra, The Ohio State University, Co-chair Mohammed Al-Saffar, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Joint Venture) Dave Ewert, American Bird Conservancy Erin Gnass Giese, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay Allisyn-Marie Gillet, Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources Shawn Graff, American Bird Conservancy Jim Herkert, Illinois Audubon Sarah Kendrick, Missouri Dept. of Conservation Mark Nelson, U.S.D.A. Forest Service Katie O’Brien, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Migratory Birds) Greg Soulliere, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Joint Venture) Wayne Thogmartin, U.S. Geological Survey Mike Ward, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Tom Will, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Migratory Birds) Recommended citation: Soulliere, G. J., M. A. Al-Saffar, K. R. VanBeek, C. M. Tonra, M. D. Nelson, D. N. Ewert, T. Will, W. E. Thogmartin, K. E. O’Brien, S. W. Kendrick, A. M. Gillet, J. R. Herkert, E. E. Gnass Giese, M. P. Ward, and S. Graff. 2020. Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture Landbird Habitat Conservation Strategy – 2020 Revision. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bloomington, Minnesota, USA. Cover photo: Whip-poor-will, by Ian Sousa-Cole. TABLE OF CONTENTS STRATEGY SUMMARY ..................................................................................................1
    [Show full text]
  • Guía Aves Y Naturaleza 2017.Pdf
    Zamora ciudad abierta al turismo de observación de la naturaleza La ciudad de Zamora y su término municipal cuenta con importantes enclaves de gran riqueza medio ambiental. Sin duda el río Duero, que la atraviesa de Este a Oeste, constituye uno de sus grandes recursos paisajísticos, pero también lo es el bosque de Valorio, dotado además de una considerable fuerza simbólica y sentimental para los zamoranos, así como los montes que ro- dean a la ciudad, tan cercanos que apenas terminan las últimas edificaciones se entra de lleno en la naturaleza. Esto permite disfrutar de la observación de las aves y otras muchas especies, no solo en las zonas ribereñas sino también en el espacio urbano, donde el ritmo tranquilo de la ciudad per- mite avistar numerosas especies que eligen para su hábitat la cercanía humana y conviven con nosotros sin dificultad. Con esta publicación, que incluye diversas rutas por la ciudad y alrededores, el Ayuntamiento de Zamora quiere abrir la puerta a esta interesante tendencia de la observación y estudio de los espacios naturales, tal como hace el turismo ornitológico y medioambiental, que además de promover los recursos locales abre también otras posibilidades relacionadas con la interpretación ambiental y la educación. Pero de manera especial nos permite acercarnos a los distintos espacios que ofrece la ciudad con de- tallismo y respeto, al tiempo que se divulga una parte importante de la avifauna y del patrimonio natural de Zamora. Francisco Guarido Alcalde de Zamora Búho chico (Asio otus) } La observación y la fotografía de las aves silvestres y de otros especies de nuestra fauna, como mamíferos, anfibios, reptiles, mariposas, libélulas, se han convertido en actividades que implican a un número muy considerable y creciente de personas.
    [Show full text]
  • Hairy Woodpecker Dryobates Villosus Kingdom: Animalia FEATURES Phylum: Chordata the Hairy Woodpecker Averages Nine and One-Half Class: Aves Inches in Length
    hairy woodpecker Dryobates villosus Kingdom: Animalia FEATURES Phylum: Chordata The hairy woodpecker averages nine and one-half Class: Aves inches in length. The feathers on its back, outer tail Order: Piciformes feathers, belly, stripes on its head and spots on its wings are white. The head, wing and tail feathers Family: Picidae are black. The male has a small, red patch on the ILLINOIS STATUS back of the head. Unlike the similar downy woodpecker, the hairy woodpecker has a large bill. common, native BEHAVIORS The hairy woodpecker is a common, permanent resident statewide. Nesting takes place from March through June. The nest cavity is dug five to 30 feet above the ground in a dead or live tree. Both sexes excavate the hole over a one- to three-week period. The female deposits three to six white eggs on a nest of wood chips. The male and female take turns incubating the eggs during the day, with only the male incubating at night for the duration of the 11- to 12-day incubation period. One brood is raised per year. The hairy woodpecker lives in woodlands, wooded areas in towns, swamps, orchards and city parks. Its call is a loud “peek.” This woodpecker eats insects, seeds and berries. adult at suet food ILLINOIS RANGE © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021.
    [Show full text]
  • Stem Caecilian from the Triassic of Colorado Sheds Light on the Origins
    Stem caecilian from the Triassic of Colorado sheds light PNAS PLUS on the origins of Lissamphibia Jason D. Pardoa, Bryan J. Smallb, and Adam K. Huttenlockerc,1 aDepartment of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4N1; bMuseum of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79415; and cDepartment of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089 Edited by Neil H. Shubin, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, and approved May 18, 2017 (received for review April 26, 2017) The origin of the limbless caecilians remains a lasting question in other early tetrapods; “-ophis” (Greek) meaning serpent. The vertebrate evolution. Molecular phylogenies and morphology species name honors paleontologist Farish Jenkins, whose work on support that caecilians are the sister taxon of batrachians (frogs the Jurassic Eocaecilia inspired the present study. and salamanders), from which they diverged no later than the early Permian. Although recent efforts have discovered new, early Holotype. Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNH) 56658, members of the batrachian lineage, the record of pre-Cretaceous partial skull with lower jaw and disarticulated postcrania (Fig. 1 caecilians is limited to a single species, Eocaecilia micropodia. The A–D). Discovered by B.J.S. in 1999 in the Upper Triassic Chinle position of Eocaecilia within tetrapod phylogeny is controversial, Formation (“red siltstone” member), Main Elk Creek locality, as it already acquired the specialized morphology that character- Garfield County, Colorado (DMNH loc. 1306). The tetrapod as- izes modern caecilians by the Jurassic. Here, we report on a small semblage is regarded as middle–late Norian in age (Revueltian land amphibian from the Upper Triassic of Colorado, United States, with vertebrate faunachron) (13).
    [Show full text]
  • The Generic Distinction of Pied Woodpeckers
    THE GENERIC DISTINCTION OF PIED WOODPECKERS M. RALPH BROWNING, 170 JacksonCreek Drive, Jacksonville,Oregon 97530 ABSTRACT: The ten speciesof New World four-toedwoodpeckers (scalaris, nuttallii, pubescens, villosus, stricklandi, arizonae, borealis, albolarvatus, lignarius,and m ixtusand the two borealthree-toed species (arcticus and tridactylus), currentlycombined in the genusPicoides, differ, in additionto the numberof toes,in modificationsof the skull,ribs, the belly of the pubo-ischio-femoralismuscle, head plumage,and behavior. I recommendthat the genericname Dryobates be reinstituted for the New World four-toedwoodpeckers. There are three generalmorphological groups of pied woodpeckers,a groupof nine four-toedspecies of the New World, a groupof 22 four-toed speciesof the Old World, and a groupof two three-toedspecies straddling bothregions. ! referto thesegroups of piedwoodpeckers beyond as the New World,Old World,and three-toedgroups. The three-toedspecies have long beenin the genusPicoides Lac•p•de, 1799, but the four-toedgroups have been combinedat the genericlevel in differentways. All four-toedpied woodpeckerswere long includedin the genusDryobates Boie, 1826, later changed to Dendrocopos Koch, 1816 an earlier name (Voous 1947, A.O.U. 1947, Peters 1948). Despite the differencein number of toes, Dendrocoposwas combined with Picoidesbecause of generalsimilarities in anatomy (Delacour 1951, Short 1971a), plumage and behavior (Short 1974a), and vocalizations(Winkler and Short 1978). The A.O.U (1976) followedthis mergerof the genera.On the basisof skeletalcharacters Rea (1983) was skepticalof the merger,but he did not providedetails. On the otherhand, Ouellet(1977), concludingthat the two generadiffer in external morphologyand some behaviors and vocalizations, separated the Old World four-toedwoodpeckers in Dendrocoposand three-toedand New World four-toedwoodpeckers in Picoides.The A.O.U.
    [Show full text]
  • Controlled Animals
    Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Fish and Wildlife Policy Division Controlled Animals Wildlife Regulation, Schedule 5, Part 1-4: Controlled Animals Subject to the Wildlife Act, a person must not be in possession of a wildlife or controlled animal unless authorized by a permit to do so, the animal was lawfully acquired, was lawfully exported from a jurisdiction outside of Alberta and was lawfully imported into Alberta. NOTES: 1 Animals listed in this Schedule, as a general rule, are described in the left hand column by reference to common or descriptive names and in the right hand column by reference to scientific names. But, in the event of any conflict as to the kind of animals that are listed, a scientific name in the right hand column prevails over the corresponding common or descriptive name in the left hand column. 2 Also included in this Schedule is any animal that is the hybrid offspring resulting from the crossing, whether before or after the commencement of this Schedule, of 2 animals at least one of which is or was an animal of a kind that is a controlled animal by virtue of this Schedule. 3 This Schedule excludes all wildlife animals, and therefore if a wildlife animal would, but for this Note, be included in this Schedule, it is hereby excluded from being a controlled animal. Part 1 Mammals (Class Mammalia) 1. AMERICAN OPOSSUMS (Family Didelphidae) Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana 2. SHREWS (Family Soricidae) Long-tailed Shrews Genus Sorex Arboreal Brown-toothed Shrew Episoriculus macrurus North American Least Shrew Cryptotis parva Old World Water Shrews Genus Neomys Ussuri White-toothed Shrew Crocidura lasiura Greater White-toothed Shrew Crocidura russula Siberian Shrew Crocidura sibirica Piebald Shrew Diplomesodon pulchellum 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Photographic Identification in Reptiles: a Matter of Scales
    Amphibiti-Reptilia 31 (2010): 4il9 502 Photographic identification in reptiles: a matter of scales Roberto Sacchil,*, Stefano Scali2, Daniele Pellitteri-Rosal, Fabio Pupinl , Augusto Gentillil, Serena Tettamanti2, Luca Cavigioli2, Luca Racinar , Veronica Maiocchil , Paolo Galeottil. Mauro Fasolal Abstract. Photographic identification is a promising marking technique alternative to the toe-clipping, since it is completely harmless, cheap. and it allows long time identification of individuals. Its application to ecological studies is mainly limited by the time consuming to compa.re pictures within large datasets and the huge variation of ornamentation pattems among dilTerent species, which prevent the possibility that a single algorithrn can effectively work for more than few species. Scales of Reptiles offer an effective alternative to omamentations for computer aided identilication procedures. since both shape and size of scales are unique to each individual, thus acting as a fingerprint like omamentation patlems do. We used the Interactive Individual ldentification System (t3S) software to assess whether different individuals of two species of European lizards (Podarcis muralis and Lacerta bilineata) can be reliably photographically identilied using the pattern of the intersections among pectoral scales as fingerprints. We found that I3S was able to itlentity different individuals among two samples of 21 individuals for each species independently from the emor associated to the ability of the operators in collecting pictures and in digitizing the pattenr of intersections among pectoral scales. In a database of 1043 images of P. muraLis collected between 2007 and 2008, the software recognized 987o of recaptures within each year. and 99c/o of the recaptures between years. In addition.
    [Show full text]
  • Le Perche En Route Vers Un Grand Projet De Territoire Plaidoyer Pour Une Conférence Territoriale De Développement Local
    Juin 201 5 Le Perche en route vers un grand projet de territoire Plaidoyer pour une Conférence Territoriale de Développement Local SOMMAIRE AVIS ................................................................................................................. 4 adopté à l’unanimité par le Conseil économique, social et environnemental de la région Centre-Val de Loire au cours de la séance du 15 juin 2015 Présenté par Gérard LIGER RAPPORT .........................................................................................................10 Présenté par Bernard GAGNEPAIN INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................12 I - ETAT DES LIEUX ..........................................................................................14 1 - LOCALISATION DU PERCHE ..........................................................................16 2 - LE TERRITOIRE CONCERNÉ ..........................................................................17 3 - LES PAYS ET INTERCOMMUNALITÉS DU TERRITOIRE ......................................18 4 - LE PARC NATUREL REGIONAL DU PERCHE......................................................21 5 - TERRITOIRE ET POPULATION .......................................................................23 6 - COHESION SOCIALE ET TERRITORIALE ACTIVITÉ-EMPLOI ...............................25 7 - LE PERCHE TOURISTIQUE ............................................................................28 8 - PRINCIPAUX CONSTATS ..............................................................................29
    [Show full text]
  • Canoë Et Kayak En Eure-Et-Loir
    www.123randonnee.fr Canoë et Kayak en Eure-et-Loir 2 A une heure de Paris, découvrez paisiblement en canoë ou en kayak des paysages inattendus et variés. Sur l’Eure, le Loir ou sur l’Huisne, naviguez tranquillement en famille sur des tronçons accessibles à tous. Location à l’heure, randonnée à la journée ou à la demi-journée, autant de formules pour découvrir la nature d’un nouvel oeil ! Avant de partir… • Savoir nager 25 m minimum et ne pas craindre l’immersion. • Porter des chaussures tenant correctement aux pieds (chaussures de sport à lacets). • Prévoir boisson et coupe-faim, casquette, crème solaire, imperméable, serviette, tenue de rechange. • S’informer sur les consignes et recommandations (sécurité, zones de portage, espaces naturels, 3 propriétés privées…) Sommaire L’Huisne Page 6 Club Canoë-kayak percheron Page 7 La vallée royale de l’Eure Page 8 Chartres Métropole Canoë-kayak Page 9 Centre Nautique du Pays Drouais Page 10 Canoë Nature Page 11 La vallée du Loir Page 12 Canoë-kayak club bonnevalais Page 13 Club Canoë-kayak dunois Page 14 Association Estienne Cloyes Page 15 Canoë-kayak Photo page de couverture : le Loir à Montigny-le-Gannelon Observons la nature Parcourir une rivière en canoë ou en kayak est une occasion unique d’en découvrir tous les secrets. Les cours d'eau et leurs abords sont des milieux vivants et fragiles, qui constituent les habitats les plus riches en Eure-et-Loir. Amusez-vous à les découvrir et à vous interroger sur les changements de paysages tout au long de votre prome- nade.
    [Show full text]
  • Morphological Evolution and Modularity of the Caecilian Skull Carla Bardua1,2* , Mark Wilkinson1, David J
    Bardua et al. BMC Evolutionary Biology (2019) 19:30 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-018-1342-7 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Morphological evolution and modularity of the caecilian skull Carla Bardua1,2* , Mark Wilkinson1, David J. Gower1, Emma Sherratt3 and Anjali Goswami1,2 Abstract Background: Caecilians (Gymnophiona) are the least speciose extant lissamphibian order, yet living forms capture approximately 250 million years of evolution since their earliest divergences. This long history is reflected in the broad range of skull morphologies exhibited by this largely fossorial, but developmentally diverse, clade. However, this diversity of form makes quantification of caecilian cranial morphology challenging, with highly variable presence or absence of many structures. Consequently, few studies have examined morphological evolution across caecilians. This extensive variation also raises the question of degree of conservation of cranial modules (semi-autonomous subsets of highly-integrated traits) within this clade, allowing us to assess the importance of modular organisation in shaping morphological evolution. We used an intensive surface geometric morphometric approach to quantify cranial morphological variation across all 32 extant caecilian genera. We defined 16 cranial regions using 53 landmarks and 687 curve and 729 surface sliding semilandmarks. With these unprecedented high-dimensional data, we analysed cranial shape and modularity across caecilians assessing phylogenetic, allometric and ecological influences on cranial evolution, as well as investigating the relationships among integration, evolutionary rate, and morphological disparity. Results: We found highest support for a ten-module model, with greater integration of the posterior skull. Phylogenetic signal was significant (Kmult =0.87,p < 0.01), but stronger in anterior modules, while allometric influences were also significant (R2 =0.16,p < 0.01), but stronger posteriorly.
    [Show full text]
  • Protection of Cultural Landscapes Extremadura and Mallorca
    Protection of Cultural Landscapes Extremadura and Mallorca Annual Report 2012/2013 - II Global Nature Fund Extremadura The Dehesas of the Extremadura in the Spanish southwest are over 5,000 years old, which makes them one of the oldest cultural landscapes in the world. The Dehesas, like the Middle European meadow orchards, are traditional agriculture- forest-meadow systems. This means that there are various ways of using the area and multiple ways the space offers people a livelihood. An almost natural form of this has developed in the Extremadura over time. Ancient, highly adapted farm animal breeds as well as extensive use of the stone and cork oak trees for firewood, and the proximity to natural habitats such as the Monfragüe national park make biodiversity on a scale usually only seen in tropical rainforests pos- sible. Such biodiversity is unheard of elsewhere in Europe. Characteristic of the area are the Iberian pigs that are famous for providing the “pata negra” ham. But only if they live mainly off acorns in the Dehesas. Extensive use continues to be the key to preserving this unique landscape southwest of Madrid where visitors can still experience pure nature. Even the untrained observer can spot Black Vultures, Imperial Eagles, owls, lynx and genets as well as White and Black Storks, many songbird species, several species of snakes such as the rare Montpellier snake and countless beetles, moths and grasshoppers. The GNF’s Spanish sister organization, Fundación Global Nature (FGN), has been working since 1993 to preserve and protect the Dehesas of the Extremadura. The FGN works in many areas such as environmental education, which takes place in their own environmental education center.
    [Show full text]