Protection of biodiversity

Fauna study in Sardinia

In order to direct the planning of works, environmental restoration and mitigation activities and ante operam environmental monitoring, during operations and post operam, under the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment procedure for some investments, a detailed study was carried out into the fauna of the area that will be affected by the planned methane gas pipeline construction works.

This research took into consideration fauna species protected at an international, national and local level also taking into account the presence of Natura 2000 sites (SCIs, SACs, SPAs), bird protection sites known as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and specific reproduction habitats of internationally protected bird species, such as, for example the little bustard (Tetrax Tetrax).

The aim of the work was to identify and map the habitats which play an important role in the conservation of the rarest and threatened bird species and to check, with regard to the position of the planned works layouts, the degree of interference with them and the temporary disturbance in order to be able to calibrate the actions for monitoring the environmental impact of the works and the consequent mitigation and restoration measures.

The environmental preferences were analysed for all the species identified to define the link with the habitats in the area studied. A matrix was then implemented in which a coefficient was assigned for each habitat according to its recognised availability for each species.

Having defined the “species/habitat” environmental preference level, to estimate the fauna suitability figure the rarity of the actual habitats and the presence of protected areas were also taken into consideration.

The habitat rarity coefficient is a parameter that was evaluated in order to enhance less widespread habitats which are therefore more exposed to the risk of erosion, alteration, fragmentation or disappearance.

In addition, the areas within the boundaries of Natura 2000 sites were developed by applying a coefficient taking into consideration the particular protection status which makes them more practical for the conservation of the fauna.

In this way, once the fauna suitability for all habitats is defined in a standardised way, the protection role that the establishment of protected areas can offer with regard to habitats giving them a higher status compared with the same areas outside of the protected boundaries was enhanced.

Based on the figures obtained, a map on a scale of 1: 10,000 was drawn up where, by superimposing the layout of the planned methane pipelines, the fauna suitability areas of the habitats, greater or lesser depending on the environmental characteristics in the area or depending on the habitats present, were shown using different chromatic solutions.

The map is therefore an operational tool which makes it possible to highlight the different “values” of the area in relation to its role in fauna conservation and, specifically, the rarest or threatened species and it provides useful information support for the correct planning of the works.

In conclusion, the research and the Fauna Suitability Map produced have made it possible to define the fauna potential of the habitats affected by the construction of the Methanisation of north Sardinia project.

Specifically, the Map refers to internationally, nationally and regionally protected fauna species and their connection to the habitats near the areas affected by planned works, thereby providing useful information support for the correct plan of the works.

Snam also evaluates, in relation to the performance of the most important works (compression systems or large natural gas pipelines), the direct and indirect economic and social impact on the territory and on the local communities with “Social Impact Assessment” tools and methods. Specifically, in 2018, the methodology used was reviewed, in conjunction with the Department of Economics and Management of the University of Brescia, and a regionalised Input-Output model was adopted. This model makes it possible to assess the impact of a project, calculating the added value created by the investment starting with the total value of production.