2022
Spain
Researchers from the Doñana Biological Station (EBD) of the Spanish National Scientific Research Council (CSIC) analysed if vegetation management within the transmission grids’ bases (shelter rocks, native shrub seedlings) can benefit ecosystems by creating new habitats for certain species. Their findings show positive, transferable and exponential potential of pylons to reconnect ecosystems and support biodiversity, with little management and low costs.
The project aimed to address the issue of fragmentation of landscapes which can disconnect various species and reduce the growth of a habitat. Incorporating nature with the transmission grids can reconnect various species and foster movement among them. This will help increase resilience to changing climate conditions and reduce the risk of extinction.
Highlights
01
Scientific evaluation of the potential of the grid to enhance biodiversity.
02
After 1 year, all biodiversity variables showed significant increase and remained high after 4 study years.
03
Aside from planting saplings and irrigation in the first four months, no further maintenance or investments were needed.
04
Results showed ten times more small mammals present in the modified tower bases compared to other control sites.
05
Number of birds near the modified tower bases were 7.5 times higher.
Main Information
In Spain, 15% of the transmission towers are situated within the EU’s Natura 2000 network of protected areas. Recognising the potential of grid infrastructure to reconnect ecosystems, the research team at the Doñana Biological Station (CSIC) worked with Red Eléctrica de España to run an experiment on two parallel transmission corridors in Andalucía, Spain.
The team measured biodiversity after placing stones as a refuge to small mammals and invertebrates, and planting seedlings of native, beneficial shrubs to the base of the towers. They found that all variables (e.g., number and diversity of small mammals, invertebrates, and birds perching) increased significantly in the first year and remained high.
These transferable findings suggest that pylons can help to overcome habitat fragmentation, with relatively low costs and maintenance and that a continental scale connective network is conceivable.
The jury of RGI’s Good Practice of the Year award has selected this practice as one of the winners of the 2022 Edition in the category “Environmental Protection”.
Learn more about the RGI Grid Awards in our webpage.
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