Biology subjects

Kerbiriou, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Kerbiriou, C..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Coupling renewable energy infrastructure planning and biodiversity conservation: a modeling-based framework

Reconciling renewable energy planning and biodiversity conservation is urgently needed to address the interconnected crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. However, current strategies to avoid or limit the negative effects of renewable energy on biodiversity still hold major limitations during the planning process that could be overcome with modeling approaches. Here we propose a new applied modeling-based framework aiming to determine potential threats posed by proposed or built projects to biodiversity. By capitalizing on large-scale standardized citizen science biodiversity data to create reference scales of biodiversity levels, this approach aims to better inform the Ecological Impact Assessment (EIA) process at different stages pre- and post-project construction. We demonstrate the practical application of the framework using bat and onshore wind energy development in France as a case study. We reveal that current approaches in renewable energy planning failed to identify sites of biodiversity significance with >90% of wind turbines approved for construction to be placed in sites of high significance for bats. The risks posed by future wind turbines to bats concern all taxa (that are all protected in the European Union), including species with higher collision risks. We highlight how the proposed modeling-based framework could contribute to a more objective evaluation of pre- and post-construction impacts on biodiversity and become a prevalent component of the EIA decision-making. Its implementation could lead to a more biodiversity-friendly renewable energy planning in accordance with the world-leading target to halt biodiversity decline by 2030.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Integrating biodiversity assessments into local conservation planning: the importance of assessing suitable data sources

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of land-use planning is a fundamental tool to minimize environmental impacts of artificialization. In this context, Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) tools based on Species Distribution Models (SDM) are frequently used for the elaboration of spatially exhaustive biodiversity diagnostics. Despite the paradigm of "garbage in - garbage out" that emphasises the importance of testing the suitability of data for SDM and priority conservation areas, the assessment of database sources remains relatively rare. In addition, the lack of practical recommendations for the use of open-access databases by SEA stakeholders remains a problem. The aim of this study is to explore the quality of data sources that can be used in SEA to assess priority conservation areas in SEA. The study used data for nine taxonomic groups (commonly used in inventories for environmental impact assessment) and three databases available to SEA stakeholders. Three local administrative entities in very different socio-ecological contexts were used to examine three main issues : (i) the suitability of local versus regional or country databases for assessing conservation priorities, (ii) differences among taxonomic groups or territories in terms of the suitability of databases, (iii) the importance of the quality of databases for the application of SDM to assess priority conservation areas. Our study provides several clear messages for potential users of open- access databases. First, the need for prudence in the interpretation of biodiversity maps. Second, the collection of individual databases at the country scale is necessary to complete local data and ensure the suitability of SDM in a local context. Third, a data driven approach can lead to the use of notably different species communities to identify priority conservation areas when compared to the community in the original database. Finally, we propose a workflow to guide SEA stakeholders through the process of data rationalization and use in conservation planning.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2019

Contribution of private gardens to habitat availability, connectivity and conservation of the common pipistrelle in Paris

Urban sprawl is one of the greatest global changes with major negative impacts on biodiversity and human well-being. Recent policies have acknowledged the value of urban green areas in counterbalancing such impacts. These policies aim to increase the ecological value of green areas, making cities more permeable to natural populations. However, they are largely focused on the role and management of public green areas, ignoring the role and potential of private green areas for urban ecological value.\n\nThis study aims to evaluate the benefits of considering private green areas for conservation efforts in cities. Using data on bat activity and information on vegetation and building height, we quantify the respective role of public and private green areas in habitat availability and connectivity for the common pipistrelle in the city of Paris, France. Our results show that despite the low proportion of private green areas in Paris (36% of the total green areas), they still contributed up to 47.9% of bat habitat availability and decrease the resistance of the city matrix by 88%. The distribution in the city matrix and vegetation composition of those areas appeared especially beneficial for bat habitat availability and connectivity. The study demonstrates the importance of private green areas in the ecological value of cities in complementing the role of public green areas. Our results confirm the need to develop more inclusive urban conservation strategies that include both public and private stakeholders.\n\nHighlightsO_LIThe urban ecological value of private gardens outweighs that of public gardens\nC_LIO_LIThis is true for both habitat availability and connectivity\nC_LIO_LIBiodiversity policies in cities should also focus on private green areas\nC_LIO_LIInclusive conservation strategies are also needed in cities\nC_LI

ecology↗