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Biological monitoring
Biological monitoring is the continued examination of biological specimens taken from a specific environment[1] to identify any human-caused issues. In the oil and gas industry, biological monitoring programs provide important data for decision making and to ensure the protection of resources and ecosystems.[2]
Process
To evaluate ecosystems, flora, fauna, arthropods, birds, small mammals, and other species are examined within specific sampling zones to determine the effect on their respective habitats and density within those habitats. Tissue samples are analyzed to determine the effect of chemicals on specific species. Air, water, and soil samples are tested for signs of environmental toxicity.
Based on findings from data collected, a plan is then created to prevent potential or further damage to the zones affected by the drilling area. Special attention is paid to protected species and to species that could cause harm to industry workers.
The “edge effect”
Oil exploration involves the clarification of small forest areas during the installation of drilling platforms. One of the consequences of clarification is the increase of edges and the presence of habitats with early successional stages. An edge is a transition zone, which may be abrupt or gradual, between two adjacent ecosystems or vegetation communities. In these edges, detrimental effects may be generated for a habitat with stages of succession that initially favor an increase in the diversity of small mammals and reptiles. The duration and magnitude of these effects may vary according to the duration of the impact.[1]
Aldo Leopold created the term “edge effect” in 1933 and used it to explain the great richness of hunting species registered in the edges. Eventually, the concept grew to include the negative edge effects on the forest community and has been extensively studied to design the buffer areas in natural protected areas. Currently, the term involves a wide spectrum of processes, mutual influences and ecological flows that can result in changes in the structure and composition of the adjacent habitats. To understand the impact of exploratory hydrocarbon drills on abundance, richness and diversity of the local flora and fauna within habitats, and to implement effective prevention and mitigation measures, biological monitoring plans are designed.
Block 57
Tropical rainforests in the Amazon are home to most of the planet’s biodiversity. Special design and implementation is required in diverse tropical forests. The increasing energy demand worldwide, specifically in Peru, is boosting hydrocarbon exploration and production within Block 57, a section of the Amazon rain forest in Peru because of significant numbers of natural gas reserves on the eastern Andean slope. Despite future projections in the region and the current development of exploratory drilling techniques, little is understood about the impacts exploration activities could have on ecosystems with high biodiversity and how wildlife will respond to those impacts.[1]
References
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See also
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 BusinessDictionary.com. 2014. Biological monitoring. Web Finance, Inc. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/biological-monitoring.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Videla, C., Chung, C., Ahumada, C., et al. 2013. Validation of a Biological-Monitoring Design in Highly Diverse Tropical Forests. Presented at the SPE Latin-American and Caribbean Heath, Safety, Environment and Social Responsibility Conference, 26-27 June, Lima, Peru. SPE-165632-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/165632-MS.