Members in Action: HeidelbergCement - a quarry’s contribution to biodiversity

HeidelbergCement is one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of building materials, with leading market positions in aggregates, cement and ready-mixed concrete. The company joined SER as a Business Member in 2019. HeidelbergCement employs some 54,000 people at more than 3,000 locations in over 50 countries. Responsible land management is part of the company`s Sustainability Commitments 2030, which have been published in 2017 and define the key topics and core principles of the sustainability strategy. This month's Members in Action highlights one of HeidelbergCement’s “Quarry Life Award” winners, whose research was recently published in the journal Catena.

  

Winning project in the category “Habitat and Species” (QLA 2018):

The project team at University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy), which includes SER members Rodolfo Gentili and Alessandro Monti, evaluated the success of different habitat creation actions performed at Colle Pedrino quarry as compared to the surrounding natural areas. They specifically measured soil quality, vegetation cover, and biodiversity, while also assessing the environmental factors upon which the reclamation success depends. The team also tried to identify existing species rich habitats that could provide ideal seed donor sites for future reclamation areas.

The results showed that the favorable outcome of reclamation processes largely depends on the type of seeds that are being used: commercial seeds are far less resistant in time than seeds from native species, such as seeds spread through the use of native hay. Furthermore, working with native hay as a seed source not only guarantees a higher persistence but it also safeguards native plant species, which in turn will support a richer diversity of animal species.

Learn more about this project: From Time to Time, From Quarry to Nature

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The Quarry Life Award, an international research competition, combines social community dynamics and sciences to promote and educate people about biodiversity in quarries. Since 2011, HeidelbergCement’s global partnership with BirdLife International has led to a wealth of site-specific projects being undertaken with the help of local BirdLife partners, including through the Quarry Life Awards program.

Learn more about the Quarry Life Award   Find projects on the BirdLife project map

Knowledge is key in helping HeidelbergCement achieve successful habitat creation projects; and they tell SER that being able to tap into a world of experts and detailed information has been the main driver behind HeidelbergCement’s membership in and support for SER. “Our active participation in many industry associations provides the opportunity for knowledge exchange and creates a collaborative approach to push the biodiversity agenda further.”

Learn about HeidelbergCement's Road to Carbon Neutrality