Biodiversity Baseline Surveys and Monitoring
One of the main expertise areas of JGP is the assessment and management of biodiversity impacts and risks in infrastructure projects, especially in ecologically sensitive areas. JGP’s impact assessment experience covers projects in all of Latin America’s major biomes, including the Amazon Rainforest, the Atlantic Rainforest, the Cerrado and Caatinga, cloud forest (tropical or subtropical evergreen moist forest), and the various altitudinal transition formations of the Andean mountain range.
In most Impact Assessment Studies for projects that interfere with preserved natural habitats, extensive biodiversity surveys have been carried out, including flora and fauna inventories through multiple campaigns covering seasonal variations. These surveys follow botanical collection and fauna capture and release procedures and require mobilization of multidisciplinary teams. Jointly, JGP’s biodiversity surveys to date have led to identification of over 40 species new to science.
Due to JGP’s experience with large projects in the Amazon region, on several occasions the company has mobilized teams of over 100 professionals. This experience is not only relevant with regard to JGP’s capacity in executing data collection and scientific research at such a scale, but also in relation to knowledge gained in planning and organization of field surveys, which require installation of remote camps and often rely on river or air logistics.
Critical Habitat Analysis (CHA), Biodiversity Action Plans (BAP) and Biodiversity Offset Design
JGP has conducted Critical Habitat Analysis (CHA) on a large amount of projects covering virtually all Latin American Biomes. This is based on results of biodiversity surveys and where species of conservation concern are present will trigger preparation of Biodiversity Action plans (BAP) and proposition of biodiversity offsets.
Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Groups and other Traditional Communities
Our work with indigenous groups includes development of ethnographic and ecological baseline surveys, conduct of consultation procedures and preparation of Indigenous Peoples Development Plans (IPDPs) in line with guidance provided in IFC Performance Standard 7. This has included support in consultation processes leading to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). In some cases we have been involved in the IPDP implementation process. In several projects for Lenders, we have supervised IPDP implementation by borrowers.
This experience covers over 25 Indigenous People Territories and a similar amount of ethnic groups that would be directly or indirectly affected by implementation of infrastructure projects. A similar amount of slave-descendent communities (quilombolas) have also been studied. This included covers projects located in Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Panama, Guyana, Bolivia and Mozambique.
Archaeology and Cultural Assets
Archaeological surveys and retrieval of archaeological or historical remains are a standard requirement in most countries and are usually required during the permitting process. JGP has an in-house team of archaeologists that coordinate these surveys. During construction, archaeological monitoring during construction is sometimes required in regions with high risk of chance finds.