Biodiversity Case Studies

BIODIVERSITY CASE STUDY
Company: Carmeuse
Location: Belgium
Objective The recolonisation of Carmeuse quarry sites by the Eurasian Eagle Owl.
Context
The Eurasian Eagle Owl (bubo bubo) is an impressive species both because of its size (nearly 80
cm tall and weighing 3 kg for the female adult) and its appearance (speckled plumage, large crest,
bright orange pupils).
It had totally disappeared from our regions after the Second World War and made a timid re-
appearance in the eastern part of Belgium in the early 1980s. It appears that these first Eurasian
Eagle owls come from Germany and the Central E
astern countries; they then gradually
recolonised sites in the south of the country.
Solution
For several years, Carmeuse Belgium has studied the development of the flora and fauna in its
quarries, both in activity and after rehabilitation. Carmeuse is particularly careful to create
favourable conditions for the creation of new habitats.
The scientists with whom Carmeuse works closely have ringed a number of young owls in order
the study the development of the population and to follow the movements of these superb
nocturnal raptors.
This operation was carried out in partnership with researchers from the Royal Natural Sciences
Institute of Belgium, who are very familiar with climbing techniques as well as the very delicate
technique of handling these birds.
Result
The first observation on a Carmeuse site was conducted at the Frasnes quarry in May 1987. Since
then, the species has recolonised several quarry sites, including every Carmeuse site in Belgium.
Thus in 2008 seven nests were recorded in our Belgian quarries, both active and closed. These
observations, made by specialists, have enabled us to count ten juveniles which, once fledged,
will continue the recolonisation of the country by this fabulous bird. This rate of frequentation of
our sites is particularly high. No less than 10 % of the Belgian population of Eurasian Eagle Owls
have chosen to breed in our quarries – one Belgian owl out of ten is 'Carmeusian'!
Partners Royal Natural Sciences Institute of Belgium

ASBL“LesBocages”,Frasnes‐lez‐Couvin,Belgium
Partners
ThissandmartinscolonyisnowthebiggestinBelgiumwithmore than200
nests.Itgivesbirdsspecialiststheopportunitytocloselyfollowtheevolutionof
swallowsviacaptureandringingofthebirds.
Result
InpartnershipwithalocalbirdsspecialistNGO,theCompanyhelpedtodevelop
anartificialcolonyinanexhaustedpartofthequarry.Duringeachwinter,the
nestingareaisrefreshedorrepairedinordertoreceivethebirdsreturningfrom
AfricainApril.
Solution
ThequarryofFrasnes producesindustriallimestoneforseveralapplications
suchassugarindustry,construction,glass,…Theplantincludesalargepondfor
waterclarificationwithfinelimestonepilesnearby.Thequarry provides
alternativenestingareasforthisswallowwhichisverysensitivetohabitat(river
banks)degradation.
Context
Preservinganddevelopingasandmartinpopulationonanindustrialsite.
Title
Company:Carmeuse
Country:Belgium
BIODIVERSITYCASESTUDY

BIODIVERSITY CASE STUDY
Company: Carmeuse
Location: Seilles, Belgium
Objective
Conversion of a quarry into a natural zone, while maintaining and increasing biodiversity.
Context
Carmeuse has operated the Moha site since the early years of the 20th century. The rule has
always been that sites are rehabilitated as extraction progresses.
After exploitation (in 1972), the site of the Vallêche pond beside the Mehaigne was used as a slag
pond: the sides of the pond were raised as it was filled with the deposits of clay. The banks were
replanted at the same time.
Solution
At the end of its use as a slag pond in the late 1980s, a wetland area was maintained on part of
the site, the remainder being replanted with trees of different species.
Over time, human intervention was required to enable the site to maintain its current character.
Apart from the traditional maintenance of a wooded area, these works included:
 Fighting the lowering water level, which entailed sealing the banks;
 Preventing an anarchic growth in carp numbers;
 Controlling the reed bed which tended to invade the entire pond.
Result
Today the site is home to interesting wild life: eagle owls, grey herons, song thrushes, little
grebes, slow worms, green and common frogs, etc.
This experience shows the scope of rehabilitation to create significant biodiversity. However, this
is not possible without human intervention and monitoring, and sometimes requires the
adaptation of planting to suit the area (in particular the choice of species).
In the region, this type of pond is a valuable substitute for the sugar refinery ponds which have
now disappeared, and is often used by resting migratory birds.

AmphibianspecialistBUNDBavaria.
Partners
Overalargeareathenetworkisalreadyestablished.
Result
Todevelopasustainablenetworkofshallowpoolsforthe
reproductionofbombina variegata.Suitablebiotopesarefoundin
presentopenpitmines,onrecultivated formerexploitationsitesand
alsoinbetween.
Solution
Thecompany,extractingNeuburg silicious earthsince1963,after
recultivating,developes shallowpoolsforcollectingsurfacewateron
theunstructuredsoiltoestablishlong‐termbiotopesoncrudesoil
andpreservethematearlystagesofnaturalsuccessionwhatiscrucial
toreproductionofbombina variegata.AtlaterstagesTriturus
cristatus findsitsplacebesidetheearlierenteringTrituris alpestris,
Trituris vulgaris andEuropeantrea frog.
Context
Expansionofanetworkofbiotopesforamphibiansespeciallythe
Yellow‐belliedToad(Triturus Variegata)*andGreated CrestedNewt
(Triturus cristatus)*,bothclassifiedasendangeredtocritically
endangeredspecies.
Title
Company:HoffmannMineral
Country:Germany
BIODIVERSITYCASESTUDY
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© www.herpetofauna.at

ETUDE DE CAS SUR LA BIODIVERSITE
Octobre 2009 – MIF –1/2
Société/Groupe : AGS (filiale d’IMERYS)
Localisation: Carrière de Jard, Saint-Pierre-du-Palais(17), France
Titre Etude d’espèces colonisatrices et mesures compensatoires
Contexte
AGS a exploité la carrière de Jard située dans le département de Charente Maritime
dans les années 1970. Elle se situe au Sud-est d’Angoulême sur la commune de
Saint Pierre du Palais. Le site exploitait des lentilles d’argile kaolinitique à teneur
remarquable en alumine.
Le site se trouve à l’Est d’une ZNIEFF de type 2 et d’une zone Natura 2000 pour la
protection des berges du Lary et du Palais, les deux cours d’eaux avoisinants. Les
zones humides de Charente sont riches en biodiversité.
Cette ancienne carrière, mise en eau dans les années 80, est aujourd’hui une zone
humide autour de laquelle faune et flore spécifiques se sont installées.
Mesures
Plusieurs milieux ont été mis en évidence sur les berges du lac de Jard :
-une végétation de type landes tourbeuses et aulnaie a colonisé les abords de
l’étang. Le sol siliceux régulièrement soumis à inondations y favorise le
développement d’une espèce protégée : le piment royal, plante de la famille des
Myricacea.
- les berges de l’étang abritent un ensemble de roselière, Cariçaie (plante flottante)
et Typhaie (herbes immergées) qui accueillent la Gomphe de graslin (libellule
protégée par la directive habitat).
- sur les haies à proximité du site, la pie grièche écorcheur (espèces protégée par
la directive oiseaux et est répertoriée dans le livre Rouge National) a été observée.
Le piment royal a fait l’objet d’étude particulière. AGS a mis en place des mesures
pour comprendre les conditions de vie de cette plante et ainsi pouvoir protéger
son environnement :
Localisation
Lac de Jard
Aulnaie sur les berges de l’étang contenant le piment
royal
Piment royal