Using Forest Compensation Funds to Reverse Biodiversity Loss: A Case Study of Turin–Lyon High-Speed Railway Line

Irene Piccini, Marco Pittarello, Fabrizio Gili, Alberto Dotta, Riccardo Lorizzo, Cristina Magnani, Pia Grieco, Michele Lonati, Sandro Bertolino and Simona Bonelli
Additional contact information
Irene Piccini: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (DBIOS), University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
Marco Pittarello: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Fabrizio Gili: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (DBIOS), University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
Alberto Dotta: Consorzio Forestale Alta Val di Susa (CFAVS), 10056 Oulx, Italy
Riccardo Lorizzo: Regione Piemonte, Public Institution, 10128 Turin, Italy
Cristina Magnani: Regione Piemonte, Public Institution, 10128 Turin, Italy
Pia Grieco: Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin (TELT) Company, 10128 Turin, Italy
Michele Lonati: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Sandro Bertolino: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (DBIOS), University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
Simona Bonelli: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (DBIOS), University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Megaprojects radically change the landscape due to their large-scale and high investments. Forests are often one of the most affected habitats, as they are frequently included in megaproject construction sites. These habitats support rich animal communities that the new settlement may threaten. Among all species present in any construction site, those listed in the Habitats Directive (92/43/CEE) deserve particular attention as they are protected throughout Europe. Here, we present a case study related to the expansion of an industrial site, part of the megaproject Turin–Lyon high-speed railway, where forest compensations were used to reverse biodiversity loss. The site expansion scheduled for 2020 included mature forests and clearings that used to host a butterfly species and at least 15 bat species protected by the Habitats Directive and other taxa of conservation concern. Forest compensations are usually used to finance tree plantations and forest improvements. In this case study, for the first time, we used them to maintain local biodiversity, which otherwise would have been severely compromised by the site expansion. Indeed, our approach has made it possible to allocate forest compensation funding to restore or improve habitats to favor biodiversity. This approach may be exported to other megaprojects to support local biodiversity.

Keywords: bats; butterflies; Chiroptera; Coleoptera; Habitats Directive; Lepidoptera; megaprojects; multi-taxa approach; protected species; saproxylic beetles (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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