Biodiversity Monitoring in Impact Assessment Follow-up – Insights From a Large-scale Mine in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest

Biodiversity's intense decline and the consequences on human wellbeing are of major concern for society. Human activities such as mining, of growing presence in forest areas, threaten biodiversity. Monitoring and reporting for impact assessment follow-up have the purpose to provide and organize information about project impacts, assist decision-making, and improve impact management. However, evidence suggests that biodiversity impacts are not adequately addressed in the impact assessment follow-up process. This paper aims to identify and examine the key elements necessary for securing quality of monitoring and reporting of biodiversity impacts. Based on literature review, key elements of follow-up biodiversity monitoring reports were derived. A longitudinal document analysis was conducted for a bauxite mine operating in a highly biodiverse area, the Amazon, revealing challenges in the application of best practice. Our analysis of the case revealed four emerging issues relevant for improving follow-up practices in the extractive sector: advancing rigor, integration, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and adaptive management. We conclude that improving stakeholder engagement and going beyond compliance requirements, by adopting action plans based on long-term data and a transparent management system, can create a more effective and responsive management of impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services.