GiBBS Conference: Construction Materials Industry on the Path to Enhanced Species Protection
Excursion to the quartz sand open pit in Frechen on the day before the specialist conference. Photo: IÖW
The demand for sand, gypsum, limestone, and gravel in Germany remains high. The extraction of these materials by construction companies impacts nature, but the extraction sites also present opportunities for biodiversity: targeted measures can create habitats for rare and sometimes endangered species. The specialist conference “Species Protection in the Construction Materials Industry” on 1 October 2024 at the Museum Koenig Bonn showcased practical examples and recommendations. Representatives from industry, nature conservation authorities, civil society, and academia responded to the invitation from the GiBBS project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research and led by the IÖW, with LIB as a cooperation partner.
“Regardless of whether a small, medium, or large raw materials company, targeted and holistic biodiversity management can align species protection with operational processes,” says project leader Anneli Heinrich from IÖW. She aims to encourage companies to contribute to combating species loss. Abandoned sites often serve as refuges for rare species, as highlighted by keynote speakers Professor Karel Prach from the University of South Bohemia and Professor Dr. Christoph Scherber from LIB.
For instance, the beautiful bee-eater bird is predominantly found in extraction sites in Germany. Insects like the sand grasshopper and plant species such as native orchids benefit from the open, nutrient-poor habitats created during extraction.
Excursion to the Quartz Works in Frechen
From owl boxes to bat caves and steep banks for bee-eaters: Britta Franzheim reports during an excursion on the day before the specialist conference about the biodiversity measures implemented by the Quartz Works in Frechen. The biologist manages species protection projects and frequently offers guided tours of the site.
Just a few meters from the active quartz sand pit, excursion participants visit newly created small water bodies. Common and agile toads require such pioneer waters for breeding. Along the sandy shore, there are several gravel islands specifically for the river plover, which breeds here in spring. These habitats need to be maintained once a year to prevent overgrowth and preserve their character as open land.
Efficient Species Monitoring
To measure the success of biodiversity measures, companies can conduct monitoring. GiBBS has compared various methods and developed recommendations. Biologists from the University of Münster and LIB examined 14 active extraction sites, where they identified a total of 355 plant species, well over 800 insect species, and 13 amphibian species.
But is this feasible for companies? “Once the suitable target species have been selected, one or two monitoring visits per year are sufficient to document the species,” encourages Professor Norbert Hölzel from the University of Münster during the panel discussion.
Citizen Science as a Valuable Addition
Not all companies have an in-house biologist or can commission a specialist office. Citizens with strong species knowledge can take part in monitoring as citizen scientists, as suggested by Elena Kortmann and panel guest Dr. Joachim Eberhardt from NABU. To support this, GiBBS has developed an e-learning course.
Entrepreneur Sascha Wagener from AHE Schaumburger Weserkies GmbH has been collaborating with NABU for several years. On the panel, he praises the trusting cooperation and appreciates the conservation expertise of volunteers.
“So how do we keep the momentum going?”
With this question, moderator Rainer Kurlemann shifts focus to the “Next Steps.” In winter, GiBBS will publish a handbook to assist with biodiversity management, considering all levels of the companies involved. Panel guest Ivonne Arenz from the Federal Association of Mineral Raw Materials (MIRO) announced that her association will broadly inform about the project, as securing and promoting biodiversity remains a highly relevant and significant topic for the minerals sector.
However, it is crucial that nature conservation authorities also incorporate the project’s results. Carolin Röken from the Government of Kassel, Upper Nature Conservation Authority, agrees that renaturation plans should include not just reforestation but also open habitats with grazing concepts. She also recommends supporting raw materials companies in species protection through annual discussions and joint site visits.
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